Allentown Diocese to hold Rite of Election program

More than 400 people who seek to enter into full communion with the Catholic church will attend special ceremonies to be held at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20-21.

Because of the large number of people involved, three separate ceremonies will be held: at 7:30 p.m. Saturday from those in Northampton County; 3 p.m. Sunday for residents of Berks and Schuylkill counties; and 7:30 p.m. Sunday for people from Carbon and Lehigh counties.

The ceremony is called the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion. The Rite of Election is for for people not yet baptized. The Call fo Continuing Conversion is for people who are baptized but who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church.

The Most Rev. John O. Barres, Bishop of Allentown, will preside at the three events, which are held annually on the first weekend in Lent.

After the ceremonies, the 400-plus people will return to their parishes and spend the six weeks of Lent in final preparation for the initiation sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist celebrated in their parishes at the Easter vigil, which this year will be held on April 3.