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Stvid w yottrfykfni pMw The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Savannah Vol. 100 No. 05 Thursday, March 5,2020 Put Faith in Your Opinions southerncross.diosav.org Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer OFM Conv., strides across the sanctuary displaying the Book of the Elect with the signatures of 46 Catechumens present for the Rite of Election at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral March 1. See a list of all the catechumens and candidates on pages 4 and 5. Photograph by Michael J. Johnson. Annual Rite of Election and Call to Continuing conversion held first Sunday of Lent C atechumens, candidates, their sponsors, and supporters filled the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist for the annual Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion on March 1 — the first Sunday of Lent. The Rite was also held the previous day at St. Joseph Church, Macon. In his homily at both locations Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer OFM Conv., said to the catechumens in attendance, “Something has happened to bring you here to this moment, to this point in your journey. God has spoken to you in a variety of ways and you have responded. And you have discerned for yourself with the help of others, with the prayers of the Church that you want to become in full communion with the Catholic Church. And so I welcome you. You have received the call to move further on your journey of faith and to be able to sign your names in the Book of the Elect. In a moment when your name is called, you will stand in affirmation that, as I declare, you have accepted the challenge of the Gospel you elect, which means that you are called petitioners with all those through out the dioceses and throughout the world who are joined together and ask ing for and aspiring to receive the three sacraments of Christ, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Now I charge you to enter deeply into a period of preparation of purification and enlightenment for the next 40 days, which we call Lent.” The catechumens, those who are not yet baptized, and the candidates, those baptized but not in full communion with the church, will be welcomed in to the Church at the Easter Vigil. JK \ Helen Almeter places her hands on the shoulders of candidates David Suggs (left) and Bryan Garriques (right) members of St. Mathew Church, Statesboro. Almeter stood in for sponsors unable to attend the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist March 1.