Rite of Election 2008 – Instructions, Rehearsals, Registration

Bishop Patrick J. McGrath welcomes to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph (80 South Market Street, San Jose) the catechumens from all parishes, institutions, and missions of the diocese who are ready for the Rite of Election where they will be chosen to celebrate the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist at the next Easter Vigil. All the liturgies will be multilingual.

Rite of Election – 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008, 3:30p
Monday, February 11, 2008, 7:30p
Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 7:30p
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph
80 South Market Street, San Jose

Rehearsals for Rite of Election
There will be two rehearsals for the Rite of Election. Catechumens and godparents DO NOT attend these rehearsals. At least two people from your parish must attend one of the rehearsals (the catechumenate director may be one of the following persons):

• one person to carry your Book of the Elect,
• one (or two) people to read your names of the Elect.

Rehearsals for Rite of Election
Monday, February 4, 2008, 7:00p – 8:00p
or Tuesday, February 5, 2008, 7:00p – 8:00p
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph
80 South Market Street, San Jose

After 6:00p, there is free parking on the street or in the parking lots on San Fernando Street between First and Third Streets. Click here for a map (PDF) showing all the free parking lots near the Cathedral.

Instructions
You can download these Word documents and distribute them to the godparents and those carrying the Book of the Elect or reading the names.

• Click here for instructions for Catechumenate Directors – Word doc.
• Click here for instructions for Godparents (English and Spanish) – Word doc.
• Click here for instructions for person carrying Book of the Elect (English and Spanish) – Word doc.
• Click here for instructions for person(s) calling out the names of catechumens (English and Spanish) – Word doc.

Registration and Seating
Seats will be reserved for:

• each catechumen,
• his or her godparent (child catechumens may have two godparents sit with them),
• the representative from each parish carrying the Book of the Elect,
• the representative from each parish calling out the names,
• the parish’s catechumenate director,
• and two other parish representatives.

Family members, candidates (baptized persons preparing for the sacraments), and friends who are not doing one of the roles listed above are invited to sit in the unreserved sections of the Cathedral.

So that enough seats can be reserved for your catechumens and their godparents, please submit the names of your eligible catechumens no later than January 8, 2008.

Please remember that the Rite of Election is only for catechumens, i.e., those who are unbaptized. Baptized candidates preparing for reception or for Confirmation and/or First Communion are invited to participate in the Rite of Election as members of the assembly present to support the catechumens. However, they do not join in the procession of catechumens.

There are two ways to submit your catechumens’ names for the Rite of Election:

• using the online form below, or
• downloading this form and returning it by postal mail, fax, or email.

The final schedule for the three celebrations will be announced January 10, 2008 on the Rite of Election web site.

If you have any questions, please contact Diana Macalintal at 408-983-0136.

Rite of Election 2008
Registration deadline: January 8, 2008

Contact Information

Parish, Mission, or School Name

Catechumenate Director’s Name

Catechumenate Director’s Phone Number

Catechumenate Director’s E-mail Address

Rite of Election Schedule

Please check your parish’s first choice (check only one):

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 3:30p.
Monday, February 11, 2008, 7:30p.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 7:30p.
We have no preference.

Please check your parish’s second choice(s):

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 3:30p.
Monday, February 11, 2008, 7:30p.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 7:30p.

We are unable to attend the following date(s) (check all that apply):

Sunday, February 10, 2008, 3:30p.
Monday, February 11, 2008, 7:30p.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 7:30p.

Catechumen Information

TOTAL number of catechumens*
*Only catechumens (the unbaptized) will be called forward during the Rite. However, candidates are welcomed to participate as members of the assembly.

How many of your catechumens are children?

We have catechumens who speak the following languages other than English:

Names of Catechumens

Please list each catechumen’s name on a separate line in alphabetical order by last name, using this format:
First Last

Bernard Nemis from the Office of Pastoral Ministry will contact you to confirm your registration. Please make sure all your information is correct before submitting this form.