Entering into full communion in the Catholic Church

by Sister Monica Wagner

New Ulm, MN - The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity recently welcomed six new members and the Church of St. Mary welcomed two members into full communion in the Catholic Church. These celebrations took place at the Easter Vigil when the participants received the sacraments of initiation or experienced the rite of reception into full communion in the Catholic Church.

At the Cathedral there were three catechumens who were baptized, confirmed, and received first communion. The catechumens were Dana Lopez, Larry McMackin, and Angela Walsh. The candidates received into full communion of the Catholic Church through confirmation and profession of faith were Rayan McMackin, Dana Dore-Hadad, and Clayton Dewanz. At St. Mary’s the two candidates, Ursula Hillesheim and Brad Finsted, were received and confirmed by Bishop John C. Nienstedt.

In the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) the candidates and catechumens were catechized or taught about the Catholic faith from catechists representing area parishes. Sister Monica Wagner and Harvey Stadick represented St. John parish, Searles, and Father Anthony Hesse and Mary Ann Baumgart represented the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm. Father Hesse and Brenda Moldan offered the RCIA process for the youth of the parishes and Angela Walsh participated in this group.

The gatherings began in October of 2001 on Thursday evenings. The first half of the evening began with the catechists breaking open the scriptures from the previous Sunday’s gospel and the second half of the evening was spent instructing on topics such as the sacraments, prayer, Christian morality, and scriptures. The evening was fairly low-keyed and left open for questions and discussion. There were many great questions raised by those who were investigating the faith, questions that we as practicing Catholics often take for granted. The RCIA process allows for those questions to be answered as well as for the introduction of new thoughts and insights.

If you are interested in becoming Catholic or being received into full communion in the Church through confirmation, call Father Anthony Hesse, Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, New Ulm, (507) 354-4158; Sister Monica Wagner, St. John, Searles, (507) 359-4244; St. Mary, New Ulm, (507) 233-9500; or your local parish church.

Sister Monica Wagner, SSND is Pastoral Administrator at St. John, Searles.