GARY – “It’s going to be the best day of my life,” exclaimed 17-year-old Dominic Adame.
Dominic’s joy and excitement was shared by 93 other Catechumens, including his older brother, Manuel, 20, on Sunday, March 9, as Bishop Robert J. McClory declared them ‘elect’ during the Rite of Election at Cathedral of the Holy Angels.
The day Dominic was referring to is the Easter Vigil, when he, Manuel, and the rest of the elect will be brought fully into the Catholic Church.
The Adames are from St. Mary parish in East Chicago.
The Rite of Election of catechumens marks the final phase of preparation to receive the sacraments of initiation (baptism, First Communion, and confirmation), usually at the Easter Vigil.
During the Rite, catechumens were presented to Bishop McClory, and the Church, by Father Jeffrey Burton. The bishop addressed the Godparents and catechumens in regard to their readiness and intentions. Afterwards, each came before Bishop McClory in front of the altar to give his or her name, then gathered as a group where they were declared elect by the bishop.
At a reception, the newly elect penned their name into their parish’s Book of the Elect, which was then presented to the bishop for his signature and an opportunity to have a photo taken with him.
Dominic and Manuel agreed they felt more comfortable going through it together and that their bond of brotherhood was strengthened in many ways. The brothers even chose the same patron saint – St. Jude.
Manuel helped me understand when I was confused,” said Dominic.
“It makes the journey more powerful,” said Manuel. “The journey opened my eyes. I got to see the real meaning behind what it means to be Catholic. I learned so much.”
The boy’s mom, Yvonne, stood nearby with tear-filled eyes.
“They’re tears of joy,” she explained. “I’m overwhelmed, overjoyed. It’s been a long process, but it’s finally happening.”
Calling it a “joy-filled occasion”, Bishop McClory welcomed “those anticipating the reception of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.”
“This decision you make will be the most important decision of your whole lives. To say, ‘Lord, I want more of you. You’re the source, the hope I’ve been seeking,’” said Bishop McClory during his homily.
The bishop noted how each catechumen had his or her own story, history and background in regard to their faith journey. Some may have thought about it for a long time, heard a chance word of encouragement from a coworker or future spouse when they realized – “This is the year…This is the time,” said Bishop McClory. “We thank God you are here today. We thank God for all the things he has done and will do in you.”
Jonah Hyet, from St. Mary in Crown Point, described his feelings as “overwhelmed, a lot of joy. It is my first time being in the cathedral and it is pretty breathtaking. It will be a day I will never forget.”
He credits his fiancée and coworkers for encouragement throughout his journey. “I’ve been waiting for this for some time now. It means a lot to me, and I know it means a lot to my fiancée,” said Hyet.
Toni Kester-Bulger, from Notre Dame in Michigan City, was raised in her mother’s faith, despite her father being Catholic. When Bulger and her husband began attending Mass after their son was enrolled at Notre Dame Catholic School, they realized it was a right fit for them.
“It just spoke to us,” said Bulger. “It’s really helped solidify our family, and give us a really strong foundation in faith together which has been really exciting.”
Sunday’s celebration extended beyond the walls of the cathedral. The bishop explained that eight of the catechumens could not be present because they are housed either at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, or Westville Correctional Center.
“I’m just drawing your attention to how the Lord works everywhere in so many ways and how boundless his mercy is. Their hearts have been touched in those settings. The Lord has moved in them though they are in a place now where they are separated from the rest of society, they’re not separated from the love of God – and particularly from our deacons and lay men and women who preach the word of God in those prison facilities are a light calling forth those who want to receive more of the love of Jesus,” said the bishop.
Mario Allen, who was present at the cathedral, began his search for Christ inside the prison walls.
Incarcerated for twenty years after being falsely implicated in a crime, Allen, a Holy Family Parish parishioner, studied law in hopes of getting his case reheard in the courts. At the same time, he began his search for God.
“I knew I was in prison by the hand of God and began calling out to God for understanding,” Allen shared.
He tried Islamic and other Christian programs, with little fulfillment. That eventually changed during his time at Westville Correctional Center, when he got to know some of the Catholic volunteers who would visit.
He stressed the importance of the Catholic prison ministry in the inmates’ lives.
“It’s very important for them to come and bring the presence of the Catholic Church to them. I felt like I was part of the Church, and it carried over,” said Allen.
The first Sunday following his release he found St. Peter Catholic Church just blocks away from his LaPorte residence. “I walked through the doors of St. Peter’s and knew I wanted to go through the process to become Catholic,” he added.
Kyle Wilm, from Nativity of Our Savior, admitted he always felt like an outsider looking in. As a young boy, he was intrigued by the crucifix but was told it was a “Catholic thing.” A college trip to the Vatican led him to buy another crucifix, one he still has today, which has helped draw him to the Catholic faith that he’s looking forward to becoming a member of at the Easter Vigil.
“Now I feel like I have one leg over the fence. Now I just have to jump down and I can’t wait for it. Nothing is going to stop me from getting to that baptism,” Wilm said.
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) converses with members of Sacred Heart, Whiting, as the diocesan shepherd signs the Book of the Elect, following the Rite of Election for Catechumens at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on March 9. The Whiting faithful were among 94 catechumens and a full cathedral of family and friends ready to support their brothers and sisters in Christ. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
