Florida Catholic | Holy Sprit Descends Upon New Catholics

Holy Sprit descends upon new Catholics

Two hundred fifty catechumens are received into full communion with the Catholic Church during the Festival’s closing Mass on the vigil of Pentecost.

LAURA DODSON | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 05.22.08

VALETA ORLANDO | FC
Bishop Wenski confirms one of the catechumens during the Pentecost vigil Mass.

ORLANDO | The concluding Mass of the Festival of Faith was also a grand celebration of beginning. It was the vigil of Pentecost and 250 people were welcomed into full communion with the Catholic Church.

It was a majestic parade of fourth-degree Knights of Columbus in capes lined with red, followed by deacons with red stoles and priests in bright red chasubles. Then came three bishops, vested in red and gold. From choir robes to flowers, everything in the worship space was bathed in red.

Bishop Thomas Wenski joyously declared, “I greet all of you.” Recalling Pope Benedict XVI’s recent visit to the United States, he said, “I hope you came away with the same impression I did. Despite the real challenges we face, the Catholic Church in this country is alive and this church – rich in diversity of languages, cultures and people – is young.

“Our Festival of Faith, I hope, has brought home the same message: The Catholic Church here in central Florida is alive – ‘Alive in Christ.’ To those who will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, welcome home,” said Bishop Wenski.

As the 250 candidates processed with their sponsors to be confirmed by Bishop Wenski or one of the two bishops assisting him – Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher of Kansas City, Kan., and Bishop John G. Noonan, auxiliary bishop of Miami – the diversity he mentioned was clear. The candidates were young, midlife and senior; a multiplicity of native languages, cultures and race. Some were in wheelchairs, others with scooters. All came forward.

Andres Abad of Holy Redeemer Parish in Kissimmee expressed four good reasons for being confirmed – daughters Andrina, 11; Angelina, 10; Anandrina, 8; and Abigail, 5. “I want them to see how strong our Catholic faith is and as a father, I believe that it is my utmost responsibility to do as Jesus Christ did – to lead by example. We can only teach them the way,” he said.

“It’s been a wonderful year (in the catechumenate)” shared Michael Johnston of St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Avalon Park. “You don’t know what you don’t know, until you find out. It’s been one of the best years of my life.”

An interpreter assisted in the translation for Maria de la Cruz of St. Ann Parish in Haines City. No assistance was needed to understand her wide grin and one word response, “Bien” – good.

The Rev. Arthur Dascher is a retired Episcopal priest, ordained 46 years, who has now joined his wife, Frances, in full communion and as a parishioner of St. James Cathedral in Orlando. “I came into the church because of my need for the magisterium,” Dascher explained. “My conviction that the Catholic Church is the one that Jesus founded on St. Peter, for its sacramental doctrine and because the Catholic Church is on the frontline of moral and social issues today.”

He then added that his wife is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and helps to drive the bus transporting people to Mass on Saturday evenings. “We’ve made it through, but it’s really wonderful to be in full communion together now,” he said.

In conclusion, Bishop Wenski congratulated the new Catholics and expressed his gratitude “to the many, many people” who had contributed to the success of the festival. “God will reward each of you for your faith.”

Departing the convention center, Archbishop Emeritus Keleher said, “Bishop Wenski wanted me to come and help with confirmations. When I saw all the wonderful displays and expressions of faith, all I could think was next to the pope’s coming, this is a wonderful Festival of Faith. God bless you all.”

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