Bishop Kagan will preside. Formators, godparents, and family are welcome and encouraged to attend. “At this time the Church makes its election, that is, the choice and admission of those catechumens who have the disposition that make them fit to take part, at the next major celebration, in the sacraments of initiation” (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, 119). If your parish has any catechumens participating in this celebration, we ask the following: 1. RSVP by Friday, February 28, the names of catechumens participating in this celebration to Diane at 701-204-7206 or [email protected]. Please let me know if anyone will be attending with the catechumen. You will also be asked for the proper pronunciation of catechumen names. 2. It would be typical for the Rite of Sending to be celebrated during a Mass in the home parish of the elect in the morning before the Rite of Election. 3. We ask that the elect sign the Book of the Elect in their home parishes after returning from the celebration. Again, we encourage parish pastors and leaders in the OCIA program to attend the Rite of Election if you have a catechumen participating. You are welcome to organize your own activity or reception after the rite has concluded. EASTER MYSTAGOGIA “The third step of Christian initiation, the celebration of the sacraments, is followed by the final period, the period of postbaptismal catechesis or mystagogy. This is a time for the community and the neophytes together to grow in deepening their grasp of the paschal mystery and in making it part of their lives through meditation on the Gospel, sharing in the Eucharist, and doing the works of charity.” (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, n. 244) Bishop Kagan has put together a series of online video messages for this final period of mystagogy. Parish Pastors, RCIA Coordinators, and those that have been newly received into the Church may access these videos on the Diocesan Website. These videos are a great opportunity for all the faithful to continue to grow in faith and discipleship of our Lord Jesus Christ.