Final Steps Toward Easter

We are blessed to have four individuals prayerfully discerning in our RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) process.  

On Saturday, February 20 we celebrated the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversation with Archbishop Hebda at the Cathedral. We have been meeting this year through Zoom weekly and are grateful for a team of dedicated volunteers and sponsors. Please pray for each of our Elect and Candidates as they make their final steps towards Easter.
 
This Sunday and next (in addition to last Sunday), our two Elect, Audrey and Eva, stand before the parish for the Scrutinies. These ancient rites can seem strange to us, but they allow us to examine (scrutinize) how at times in our life we are tempted to sin. They focus us on the reality that while we are all sinners, we are called to receive strength through the gift of the sacraments and the support of the parish community.

The Catechism goes into great detail of the importance of the Scrutinies:

In order to inspire in the elect a desire for purification and redemption by Christ, three scrutinies are celebrated.

By this means, first of all, the elect are instructed gradually about the mystery of sin, from which the whole world and every person longs to be delivered and thus saved from its present and future consequences. 

Second, their spirit is filled with Christ the Redeemer, who is the living water (gospel of the Samaritan woman in the first scrutiny), the light of the world (gospel of the man born blind in the second scrutiny), the resurrection and the life (gospel of Lazarus in the third scrutiny). 

From the first to the final scrutiny the elect should progress in their perception of sin and their desire for salvation.

To learn more, check out the Catechism’s paragraph numbers 141-145. 
 
Our 2021 RCIA Participants:
 

Audrey G.

I am excited to be entering into this process with my daughter, Eva. I have explored the Catholic faith throughout the years and am finally ready to enter into the Church. I have enjoyed attending Mass at Nativity. Thank you for your continued prayers. I am looking forward to the Easter Vigil. 

Audrey is preparing to be received into the Christian faith of the Catholic Church and will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
 

Eva P.

I grew up in St. Paul, and went to Unity Unitarian church as a kid. In college I learned more about the Catholic faith, from friends and history studies, and realized that I wanted to learn more. I am excited to continue on this journey and thank you for your prayers!

Eva is preparing to be received into the Christian faith of the Catholic Church and will receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

 

Summer S.

Over the past year I have come to grow in greater devotion for the Holy Family, especially to our Blessed Virgin Mother. I am thankful for your prayers and support as I continue to grow in my faith. 

Summer is preparing to be received into the Catholic Church and to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
 



 

Kris M.​​​​​​​

I was born and raised in Moorhead, MN and baptized in a Lutheran church. I had a lot of Catholic influence growing up with Catholic grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. When I met my Catholic husband, we knew that I would eventually convert to Catholicism. We have been attending Nativity for about ten years. Both my sons were baptized at Nativity and attend Nativity School.

My timing for becoming Catholic and taking my First Communion aligns with my 2nd grader as he prepares for his as well. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Nativity community and am very thrilled to finally be taking the steps toward my First Catholic Communion.

Kris is preparing to be received into the Catholic Church and to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

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A shorter version of this article was published in the March 14 parish bulletin.