2026 – OCIA RITE OF SENDING/CALL TO CONTINUING CONVERSION AND RITE OF ELECTION/CALL TO CONTINUING CONVERSION
On Sunday, February 15, 2026, the Rite of Sending for the St. Jude OCIA Catechumens was officiated by Fr. Michael Baldwin, substituting for Fr. Fog. In addition, the Calling of Candidates to Continuing Conversion was witnessed by the congregation.
As part of the ceremony, the Catechumens, Kaylie Castellanos, her godparent, Adrianna McBeth and Hunter Waters, his godparent, Kaylee Waters, signed the Book of the Elect which was then presented to Bishop Kemme at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Church of the Magdalen for the Rite of Election.
Continuing with the 2nd Rite ceremony on February 15, Father Baldwin also called forth the St. Jude OCIA Candidates and their sponsors to celebrate their call to continuing conversion. The Candidates are Seth Dold, sponsor David Wall, Ronin Haag, sponsor Marsha Haag, and James Bennett, sponsor Leroy Pruitt.
Then on Saturday, February 21, 2026, Bishop Kemme celebrated the Rite of Election of Catechumens and the Calling of Candidates to Continuing Conversion at the Church of the Magdalen where each group was called to the altar. Kaylie, Hunter, Seth, Ronin and James were a part of 500+ people who, God-willing, will come into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
Lora King took pictures for the celebration at St. Jude and Bishop Kemme was kind enough to let our group take pictures with him following the ceremony at Church of the Magdalen.
Please pray for the Elect, which is the name now given to our five participants, as they continue their faith journey to becoming Catholic.