Families grow in Christ at Easter

‘A little child shall lead them.’ – Isaiah 11:6

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

FITCHBURG – As families prepare for Easter, some have an extra reason to celebrate: they’re coming into fuller communion with Christ and his family, the Church.
At St. Francis of Assisi Parish, babies are partly responsible for bringing these families together – some from different countries. The babies are to be baptized on Easter Sunday, after their parents and godparents receive sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil, the night before.
The adults are preparing for the sacraments through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, which includes the Rite of Election, held at St. Paul Cathedral the first Sunday of Lent.
Asked what that liturgy of welcoming was like for him, Ramón Mayorga tapped his hand near his heart.
“Muy bonito,” the Honduran said in Spanish. He elaborated in English: “It was an amazing experience in my life.” He said he’s never been in a church as big as St. Paul’s, and everything was beautiful.
He was there because he’s preparing to be baptized and receive his first Eucharist and confirmation at the Easter Vigil. He said this was one of his goals in life, but in Honduras he’d been busy working to support his family and hadn’t had time to receive the sacraments. He came to the United States in 2016, and now he’s happy for the chance to get closer to God, and to serve as godfather for a friend’s baby.
Diego Hernandez, from Venezuela, said he met Mr. Mayorga in an “English as a Second Language” class, and wanted him to be the godfather of his baby. But Mr. Mayorga needed the sacraments himself. So a mutual friend brought them to the church and they joined the RCIA.
 Mr. Hernandez is preparing to be confirmed at the Easter Vigil. He said this is what was missing in his life. He also hopes to get married in the Church. He’s legally married to his baby’s mother, Karlas Hernandez, who has already received the sacraments of initiation, according to St. Francis’ pastor, Father Emerito Ortiz.
The couple’s friend Nadia Oliz, of Uruguay, is to be their son’s godmother. Father Ortiz said she too is preparing to be baptized, and receive her first Communion and confirmation at the Easter Vigil, then she will be ready to take on the role of godmother.
Another family is also in the parish’s RCIA process,  partly because of a baby.
“The reason why I’m doing it – I’m missing confirmation, and I want to baptize my son and I want to teach him my faith,” said Guadalupe Cerrillos, whose family is from Mexico.
Asked if being confirmed will help her raise her son, she said, “That way I can tell him, ‘I am confirmed; I am a Catholic.’”
“That’s what confirmation is about: ‘I want to confirm the faith I received in baptism, now knowing truly the faith,’” chimed in Father Ortiz. He said every Catholic should be proud of being Catholic, of following Jesus in the Catholic Church.
He said Ms. Cerrillos is to be married in the Church later.
Her sister Jaqueline Cerillos said she’s preparing to receive her first Communion and confirmation at the vigil. She needed those sacraments and is to be the baby’s godmother, she explained. She said she’s looking forward to “being closer to God.”
Their sister Veronica Cuevas said she too is being confirmed.
“I’ve always had that in the back of my head, always wanted to get it done,” she said. But it was a bit embarrassing to pursue it as an adult, since the confirmation classes she knew about were for teenagers.
Mrs. Cuevas said they have two brothers, one of whom has received all three sacraments of initiation. The other received only baptism, but his work schedule prevents him from attending this RCIA class to prepare for the other sacraments, she said.
She said their mother’s birthday is Easter Sunday this year. So the family has much to celebrate.
Father Ortiz rejoiced too, saying, “It’s going to be wonderful.”