MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	For further information, contact:
February 5, 2008	Cecelia Price, 502/585-3291 (office) 502/417-7187 (cell) 502/891-7239 (pager)

Archdiocese of Louisville Welcomes 487 New Members

(Louisville, KY) – 487 individuals who are preparing to enter the Roman Catholic Church will be recognized during the “Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion” ceremonies at two locations. The first will be on Saturday, February 9, 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Parish (1000 North Beckley Station Road). The other location is the Cathedral of the Assumption (433 South Fifth Street) on Sunday, February 10 at 2:30 p.m.

During this rite, the Catholic Church acknowledges God's call to these participants to enter this faith tradition, gives testimony as to their readiness and witnesses the participants' acceptance of God's call. These individuals will formally enter the Church at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday (March 22, 2008) or at other celebrations during the Easter Season.

These men, women, and children from 65 parishes have been participating in a process called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) for a year or more. There are two groups involved:

1. Candidates — those baptized in another Christian tradition whose baptism will be recognized by the Catholic Church. This group will enter the Church at the Easter Vigil or other ceremonies during the year through the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. There are 299 candidates.
2. Catechumens — those who have never been baptized: The individuals in this group sign their names to the Book of the Elect. By signing their names to this book, the participants are stating that they intend to enter the Catholic faith through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The Book of the Elect will be presented to Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz at the Rite of Election ceremony. There are 188 catechumens.

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