"Mothering Church"
Have you prayed, lately, for Guy, Natalie, or Russ? How about for
Kirsi, Priscilla, Rick, Michelle, or Robert? Have you remembered Mandy, Steve, Daniel,
Terry, Wendy, Nicole, Esmerelda, and Carlos?
Do these names ring a bell? All of these folks received Sacraments of
Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist) during this Easter season. It’s
important for us to remember that they are still participating in the RCIA. The
RCIA is divided into distinct periods of catechesis for the formation of new adult members
in the Church. This period after the reception of sacraments is called The Period of
Postbaptismal Catechesis or Mystagogy. Whew!
Among other things, we are told about this period,
[It] is of great significance for both the neophytes and the rest of
the faithful. Through it the neophytes, with the help of their godparents, should
experience a full and joyful welcome into the community and enter into closer ties with
the other faithful. The faithful, in turn, should derive from it a renewal of inspiration
and of outlook. (RCIA, 246.)
Those who are newly baptized are thought of as neophytes, or
newborns, for an entire year! Does a mother forget her newborn after just six weeks?
Hardly! Let us, "Mother Church," on this Mother’s Day, the Solemn Feast of
the Ascension of the Lord, commit ourselves to remembering our new members in prayer and
action during this entire year! The cycle of rebirth, growth, and formation rests
occasionally, but it takes no vacations!
Now is also the time to consider helping Donna McGuigan, Deacon Rusty
Duffey, Rita Tullius, and a few other parishioners on the RCIA team as they look ahead to
welcoming new catechumens and candidates in the Fall. We especially need one or two more
good men on the team. Pat V.-K.
