The Rite of Welcome and Acceptance

The secular world seems to begin the celebration of Christmas earlier and earlier each year - a fact demonstrated most blatantly by the expansion of Black Friday creeping intrusively into our quiet holiday of giving thanks.  Perhaps unnoticed by many who are busy with shopping and decorating this weekend, comes the first Sunday of Advent and its annual observation of the Rite of Welcome and Acceptance in the Roman Catholic Church. 

This Rite is a beautiful addition to our Sunday liturgy as we as a parish welcome those who have been participating in the discussions of the Inquiry Group since September.  We now have the opportunity to extend a welcome to those who are ready to begin a new period of discussion and learning - the Period of the Catechumenate.  Our Inquirers will now be Candidates (those baptized Christians coming from the traditions of our Christian brethren) and Catechumen (those who are not yet baptized). 

Please pray for Candidates and Catechumen who throughout the world are participating in the Rite of Welcome in Catholic liturgies this weekend.  Please also pray for anyone who is on a journey, searching for God.  We walk with them this Sunday and always.