The annual Rite of Election was celebrated on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat by Bishop Paul Bird CSsR and assisted by Fr Justin Driscoll, Parish Priest of Creswick, Daylesford and Gordon.

During the Rite of Election, an important step in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) journey, the candidates and catechumens are presented to the local bishop as a sign of their “election” into the Catholic community. It is at this gathering that those wishing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation make public their intention to continue their discernment and preparation during the Season of Lent.

Nine parishes were represented with catechumens (those yet to be baptised) and candidates (those who have already been baptised but have yet to receive the sacraments of the Eucharist and Confirmation) accompanied by their sponsors/godparents, family and fellow parishioners.

Catechumens were presented from the parishes of Ballarat Cathedral, Creswick, Daylesford, Redan and Sebastopol with apologies from Colac, South West Coast and Sunraysia.

Candidates were presented from the parishes of Creswick, Gordon and Sebastopol with apologies from Ballarat Cathedral and Sunraysia.

Following the blessing and dismissal, all present joined Bishop Paul for lunch in St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall.

Thank you to all those involved in the success of the Rite of Election:  Maria Noonan as Presenter, Anthea Stanton as Reader, Dr Susan Crowe as Cantor, Maria Russell as Organist and choir members from the St Patrick’s Cathedral Ballarat Parish; Parish Delegates; Sponsors of the catechumens and candidates; and Brett Hayward for catering.

Thanks must also go to all those involved in the preparation and co-ordination of the RCIA program in parishes.

The journey of discernment for these catechumens and candidates will culminate at the Easter Vigil where they receive the Sacraments of Initiation and are officially welcomed into the Catholic Church by the local parish community.

Photos supplied by Fr Justin Driscoll, Bernadette Lynch & Susan Crowe