‘Here I am,’ catechumens, baptized proclaim

St. Joseph Cathedral was a vibrant center of faith in the Diocese of Baton Rouge at the Rite of Election on Feb. 26.

During two separate celebrations, 325 people declared, “Here I am” as they  prepare to enter the Catholic faith at the Easter Vigil Masses on April 8.

Of those 325, 137 are catechumens, now called “the elect,” who are unbaptized persons desiring to be fully incorporated into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of Initiation: baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.

The other 188 are previously baptized Christians, called candidates, wishing to receive the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist.

“All of you have come here today because of a journey, maybe to start knowingly as a journey of faith, but along the way your imagination, your heart, was captured and you began to move in this direction,” said Bishop Michael G. Duca in his homily. “Maybe it wasn’t clear at first where you were going or maybe along the way there were some places and you felt this is the way it will be for the rest of my life.

“But then something moves you forward and through twists and turns you are here today. I suppose you can’t stop thinking about ‘How did I get here?’ ”

Some of the choices may have been made during times of difficulty, according to the bishop.

He added, “When we think of all the choices we made that got us here today and maybe come of the last few we thank God for because tonight our hopes are full of that expectation that this next stage in life is about to begin or we’re about to begin to move into a deeper phase of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.”

God is always surprising the faithful along the way and there are a lot of unexpected twists and turns, said the bishop. “But do we hear the words in the Gospel today (Jn 15:14-16), that may change the way we look at our lives. Because Jesus says it quite clearly, ‘It is not you who chose me it is I who chose you.’ ”

“How does that change things?” the bishop asked. “We’ll take some time in the next few weeks and think of those decisions you made that moved you along the way. But stop for a moment in those moments when you made those decisions and in your imagination look around for maybe what you did not see or did not appreciate; the phone call that came that changed something; maybe you did something one day; an encouraging word from a friend; something you think about now that you think, ‘Wow because of that maybe I did make a change.’

The bishop added, “Think of a situation that looked dire but good fortune came or you seemed overwhelmed by grief, maybe a loss and you could notsee any way forward but then a spark of light in your heart sprung up and you began to say, ‘No I need to start again.’ You paid attention to the choice but not the spark.”

God pursues us and he knows our name in a way we don’t even know it yet, but he knew we would be here today, according to Bishop Duca.

He told the catechumens and candidates to expect the Lord to surprise them and teach them more and to have ongoing conversion.

Next, unbaptized catechumens were called into the sanctuary. The bishop called each catechumen by name at which each responded, “Here I am, Lord.” Godparents and the assembly gave their affirmation.

Afterwards, the candidates stood as each church parish represented was called. When the bishop asked them, “The Lord calls you to continue your conversion through the church, what is your response?” candidates responded, “Here I am Lord.”

The celebration ended with the song, “Lead me, Guide Me.”

Catechumens and candidates were jubilant as they began the final stage of purification and enlightenment before entering the church.

Candidate Royce E. Longmire said his journey of faith toward the Catholic Church came through a search for the truth and peace.

Longmire, who was previously Methodist, said for more than  2,000 years the faith has been handed down from one generation through the apostles, from which the Catholic Church has its roots.

“I read different books and I wanted to broaden my perspective,” said Longmire, who will enter the church at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs.

His wife, Lisa, a cradle Catholic who went to St. Gerard Majella Church in Baton Rouge, said when her husband retired from a career which often took him out of town, he said he wanted to attend church with her.

“I’m very excited,” said Lisa. “He will be in full communion with me and he is so excited about getting involved with the church.”

Catechumen Toni Stevens said, “the Catholic faith has always been a part of me.”

For 25 years he has been going to Mass as well as attending meetings of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. Stevens has worked for the past 3 ½ years as a business development officer for Franciscan Missionaries of our Lady Health System.

“I felt really peaceful,” said Stevens about the moment his name was read at the altar.

Catechumen Kimberly Vance said her journey to the Catholic faith was an “answer to a prayer” that her husband would return to the Catholic church.

When her husband expressed an interest in them going to church together, she “fell in love with the Catholic faith.”

“I love the rituals, I love the history, the Eucharist … the breathtaking art,” said Vance.

When asked how she felt at the moment when she responded “Here I am Lord” when her name was called, Vance said, “I felt fantastic.

“It felt so good to look around and see all the people who will be baptized and going into the church.”

The Catholic faith was also the answered prayer for Vance in answering God’s call for her life.

“I feel a call for even greater things in my life,” said Vance, who will also enter the church at Holy Ghost in Hammond.