Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010

Easter Vigil

Catechumens rise to new life in Baptism

WCR PHOTO | CHRIS MILLER Diana Boylen was one of six new Catholics who experienced the Baptismal waters during the April 3 Easter Vigil at Holy Trinity Church.

No matter how or why one starts the journey to becoming a Catholic, the experience is fantastic, said Shelley Lynes.

Lynes was an adult catechumen baptized during the Easter Vigil at Holy Trinity Church in Spruce Grove/Stony Plain April 3.

"My family is Catholic but my mom was a slacker and didn't baptize us," she said with a laugh. "I would go to the parish but I just couldn't participate in anything, so I thought it was finally time.

"My kids go to the Catholic school, and I wanted them to stay in the Catholic school system. At first I did it mostly for them, so I could baptize them Catholic."

The three-hour vigil included the Liturgy of Light, a lengthy Liturgy of the Word, the blessing of the baptismal waters and the initiation of 11 new Catholics, Lynes being one of them.

Lynes, five other catechumens and five candidates were welcomed officially into the Church, and received the Eucharist for the first time that night.

Normally only a bishop confirms Catholics. However, priests can be delegated to confirm adult converts when they are brought into full communion with the Church at the Easter Vigil and they have attended the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program in the parish.

Going through RCIA was a gradual process that began somewhat informally. After Lynes contacted her local parish about Christian initiation, she met with others at RCIA classes who were also exploring the possibility of becoming Catholic.

ASKING QUESTIONS

RCIA provided opportunities to ask questions about the Church and hear the message of Jesus Christ and how it is lived out in the Catholic faith.

WCR PHOTO | CHRIS MILLER Deacon Pat Hessel lowers the Paschal Candle into the baptismal font during the blessing of the waters.

"I've always wanted to do it, become Catholic, so I was glad that I did. I don't think there was a major turning point in my journey because it was always something that I wanted to do. I've never wanted to be any other religion. I've gone to Catholic Church before, but I just couldn't participate fully. It was quite an experience, that's for sure," said Lynes.

She experienced a full cycle of the Church's rhythm of special seasons and the observance of feasts. The catechumenate provided a structure for the proclamation of the Gospel, fasts, passing on the teachings of the Church, public and private prayer, spiritual direction, and direct contact with the parish community.

During this time she was paired with a sponsor who served as a spiritual companion, offering support and encouragement.

Of course, the climax of the catechumenate process is the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

The Liturgy of Light started with hundreds of parishioners gathering outside by a fire near the entrance to the church. Once back inside, they lit candles, which were kept lit throughout the liturgy.

WCR PHOTO | CHRIS MILLER Fr Paul Terrio, assisted by Deacon Pat Hessel, lights the New Fire at the beginning of the Easter Vigil at Holy Trinity Church.

Of the Baptism specifically, Lynes said, "It feels a lot different. It's like all of a sudden you are part of the group, instead of an outsider looking in. It's really nice. I have never been to a candlelight ceremony at all, so it was fascinating actually.

"It's one of the nicest services I've ever been to, probably better than a wedding."

Going to Mass regularly now and getting her children more involved in the Church are her future plans.

"It's a really nice thing to have as a family. People are getting away from Church with all of the hustle and bustle, so it's nice to have Church, I think," she said.

LIFE-ALTERING

Hollie Stanley, another catechumen, decided to join the Church because her fiancée is Catholic, a commonality among many converts. She said the RCIA process has been meaningful.

"It was life altering," she said. "Going through the RCIA, you learn a lot. The program is not what you expect - it's very overwhelming."

What she found most meaningful was "just the whole process of going through everything, like taking RCIA up until now and going through the Baptism."

Also baptized that night and opting to join the Church because he was marrying a cradle Catholic was Bryce Goudie.

WCR PHOTO | CHRIS MILLER Immediately after being baptized, four of the new Catholics – Diana Boylen, Shelley Lynes, Hollie Stanley and Chris Malley – accept the light of Christ.

"I got more interested (in the Church) doing marriage prep, and from there they were talking about learning more about the Church, and I found it interesting so I decided to go to RCIA," said Goudie.

RCIA classes were informative, and he learned more about the sacraments, the reasons for attending Mass, its importance and other helpful information about Catholicism.

BEAUTIFUL CEREMONY

"This is very meaningful. It gives me a whole new outlook on life. Every day I think about what God would want me to do, what would Jesus want me to do," he said.

Of the vigil itself, he commented, "It's a very beautiful ceremony. Father Paul Terrio did a really good job. Going into the baptismal fountain really changed my view. It feels different."

Terrio presided over the vigil. The main message in his homily was that if Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, our own lives would be tragic and meaningless. His resurrection gives life meaning, and is the cornerstone of everything Christian.

"Christ rose from the dead, making everything about his life make sense. With Christ rising from the dead, life makes sense for us too," said Terrio.

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