RITE OF SENDING / RITE OF ELECTION On the first Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025, the Rite of Sending was held with the sponsors/godparents testifying to the catechumens’ readiness to be presented to Bishop Bonnar in the afternoon for the Rite of Election. At the Rite of Election, the godparents further testified to their readiness and the catechumens stated their intention to join the Church. Their names are now recorded in “The Book of the Elect”! Our candidates were also presented to the parish community. We listened to the testimony of their sponsors and they were also sent to Bishop Bonnar, for Calling the Candidates to Continuing Conversion.   Participating in these rites from Portage North parishes:   ST. JOSEPH: Otto Trent, Dailanna Harber, Catechumens (now Elect) Natalie McManaway, Zachary Thomas, Wesley Ludtman, David Gadomski & Diane Gadomski, Candidates   ST. JOAN OF ARC: Kate Gottardi, Catechumen (now Elect),   With the Rite of Election, catechumens become “the Elect” or “the illuminandi” meaning “those who will be enlightened”. They now begin a Period of Purification and Enlightenment. This is the final, intense preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. In the coming weeks of Lent, we will be celebrating Scrutinies, the Handing on of the Creed and the Handing on of Lord’s Prayer with the Elect and Candidates at different times. This period of preparation will conclude at the Easter Vigil with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist for the Elect and Reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church for our Candidates.