Catechumen William Pujols, his wife Lori-Ann and daughter Aleena, of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish in North Haven, attended the combined Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion on March 1 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford. William is preparing to enter into the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday. Photo by Shelley Wolf

By Shelley Wolf

HARTFORD – While many have drifted away from their faith, more than 280 adults of all ages, including many young adults, are choosing to enter into the Roman Catholic Church within the Archdiocese of Hartford.

The 282 catechumens and candidates, representing nearly 50 parishes in the archdiocese, were presented by the chancellor, Father Ryan Lerner, to Archbishop Leonard P. Blair during the combined Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion on March 1, the first Sunday of Lent, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph. Including sponsors, families and friends, about 1,000 people turned out to witness this important milestone along the journey into the Catholic Church.

Nicole Perone, the archdiocesan director of adult faith formation who helped coordinate the liturgy, said she is always amazed and moved by this event. “It’s adults choosing to be a part of the Catholic Church,” she said. “That’s the best part.”

Each year, people are presented to the archbishop before taking their final steps to being received into the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil Mass. As members of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programs, they have been studying the Catholic Catechism for Adults, watching videos on the faith and meeting with their pastors in preparation for the sacraments of initiation. Those sacraments include baptism, the holy Eucharist and confirmation.

This year people of all ages participated in the liturgy, including many young adults who were open to sharing their faith journey. Each had unique reasons for wanting to enter more fully into the Catholic Church.

Suni Rodriguez, 34, of St. Joseph Parish in Winsted, said, “I have been with the Catholic Church for as long as I can remember.” She was baptized years ago but never made her first holy Communion or confirmation. Her children recently made their first Communion, which sparked her own desire to complete the sacraments of initiation.

Rodriguez said she loved the instruction she received in RCIA classes with Anita Panagakos, the parish’s coordinator of evangelization. “There’s always something new,” she said, “that brings you closer to God.” So far, the most important lesson she has learned has been about forgiveness. “God always has forgiveness, is always there and is always willing to take you in.”

Emily Friga, 16, also of St. Joseph Parish in Winsted, is preparing for all three sacraments of initiation. “I go to church with my family and I want to become Catholic,” Friga said. “I would like to be closer to God and closer to my family.”

 Ashley Cintron, 22, of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Meriden, said she was baptized a Catholic and was inspired by her Catholic grandmother, but she never finished her sacraments. She recently graduated from college and works as an engineer, yet she felt something was lacking. “I want more of a sense of community,” she said. “I’d like to get more involved in my Church. I’ve always wanted to work with young people and help to give them some direction.”

Of her RCIA instruction, Cintron said, “I’ve had a really great time. I met with the pastor, Father James Manship, and Pat Billings, the RCIA coordinator. We have more of a discussion, and I can ask as many questions as I want.”

Terrance Teague, 37, of St. Elizabeth of the Trinity in North Haven, said he is a practicing Catholic but never completed the sacraments of initiation. He was baptized and raised Catholic in a household with four children, but somehow the family drifted away from the Church.

“I started a family,” he said. “I have a 5-year-old and another who is 16 months. I wanted to give them the structure and guidance that I had in my early years.”

Teague’s parish finally began an RCIA program for the first time this year, enabling him to prepare for his first Communion and confirmation. “It’s been a phenomenal program,” he said. “It’s highly engaging and structured, so we cover every chapter. Father Michael Santiago joined us many times and answered our questions.”

Lisandro Carmona, 24, of All Saints/Todos Los Santos Parish in Waterbury, said he signed on for RCIA “for a better future, and to look more for God.” The highlight for him has been “going to Mass and participating in the classes.”

Arisleydi Amezquita, 24, of St. Joachim Parish in New Britain, who is of Dominican descent, said she was raised Catholic but needs to prepare for all three sacraments of initiation. She said she and others in her class are participating in RCIA “because we love God. We are part of a family here, and we know that.”