On the first Sunday of Lent our church family met at St Chad's Cathedral for a special event called the Rite of Election. This is where people who are becoming part of our Catholic community get introduced to Archbishop Bernard Longley.

During this event, family, friends, sponsors, and godparents all gathered with those preparing for Baptism (called catechumens) and those joining the Catholic Church fully (called candidates). 

It's an important step in their journey towards receiving the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

This year nearly 130 candidates and catechumens from 31 parishes came with their families to the Cathedral to take this significant step in their faith.

In his homily, Archbishop Bernard said:

“I am delighted to welcome you to the Cathedral, the Mother Church of our Archdiocese, for the Rite of Election as we begin the season of Lent.  

“At the culmination of these forty days of Lent, when we come to celebrate Easter, you will be baptised or received into full communion with the Catholic Church.  

“You have reached a solemn moment on your journey of faith when you are ready to make a heartfelt commitment to continue on the pathway of faith where our Lord has been leading you now for many months.

“Today’s proclamation of the Gospel has a special meaning for us:  The time has come…and the Kingdom of God is close at hand.  

“The Church recognises this time as a moment of solemn decision when we wish to accept your commitment and to enrol your names.  

“Today Holy Mother Church embraces you as her own children and claims you for Christ so that His sacraments can begin to change your lives for ever.”

Read full homily

Parish priests, together with their catechumens, candidates and sponsors, then met with Archbishop Bernard, Bishop David Evans and Canon Paul Fitzpatrick, Episcopal Vicar.

Candidates and Catechumens represented the following parishes:

St Chad’s Cathedral 

St Mary of the Angels, Aldridge

St Catherine of Siena, Bristol Street

St Peter’s, Bloxwich 

St Peter’s, Bromsgrove 

St Mary and St Modwen, Burton-on-Trent

The Precious Blood and All Souls, Coventry 

St Osburg’s, Coventry

Corpus Christi, Coventry 

Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria, Droitwich Spa 

Our Lady of Lourdes, Hednesford and St Mary and St Thomas More, Cannock 

Sacred Heart, Henley-on-Thames 

English Martyrs, Hillmorton 

St Dunstan’s, Kings Heath 

St Joseph’s, Malvern 

St Augustine’s Parish, Meir, Stoke-on-Trent 

Holy Trinity, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Sacred Heart, Silverdale 

Our Lady and St Brigid, Northfield

Our Lady of the Angels, Nuneaton 

Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate, Olton Friary 

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Redditch 

St Edward’s, Selly Park 

Holy Family, Small Heath 

St Austin’s, Stafford  

St Joseph’s, Thame 

Sacred Heart and All Souls, Tipton and Our Blessed Lady and St Thomas of Canterbury, Dudley 

St George’s, Worcester 

Our Lady of Lourdes, Yardley Wood 

St Wulstan’s, Wolstanton  

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