One of Bishop Drainey’s first duties as Bishop of Middlesbrough was to officiate at the Rite of Election on Sunday 10th February, the First Sunday of Lent. Catechumens, candidates, their godparents and sponsors, parish priests, catechists and supporters from 20 parishes had travelled to St Mary’s Cathedral for this very special occasion in the RCIA calendar.

In Bishop Drainey’s homily he spoke of the dramatic signs that would be seen in the Cathedral that afternoon, and he likened the catechumens and candidates to icons: icons for all of us, icons which our Church needs.

During the Rite of Election the Bishop questioned the catechists and sponsors about the catechumens’ and candidates’ preparation for the Easter sacraments. Pushpa Gaya-Merritt, from the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel in Hull, then carried the Book of the Elect forward in procession and presented it to the Bishop. Fr Michael Keogh, co-ordinator of the RCIA for the Middlesbrough Diocese, presented the catechumens and candidates to Bishop Drainey. The catechumens and candidates stood, with their godparent or sponsor, as their names were called out by Caroline Dollard, joint co-ordinator with Fr Michael. The Bishop declared the 18 catechumens to be members of the Elect and accepted the 46 candidates for reception into Full Communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. He then signed the Book of the Elect himself.

Two weeks earlier, at the Retreat Day held in All Saints School in York, the catechumens and candidates had signed the Book of the Elect. This took place during a prayerful liturgy, which was the climax of an inspiring day led by Caroline Dollard.

The Bishop presented all, who are to join the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, with a wooden cross: a symbol of new life. The service continued with the Prayer of the Faithful, Sign of Peace and Blessing, ending with the hopeful and joyful strains of ‘Guide me, O thou great Redeemer’.

The whole occasion was enriched by the Diocesan Choir led by Fr Stephen Maughan, and by the hospitality provided afterwards by the Cathedral parishioners. Friendships forged at the Retreat Day, were re-kindled at the Cathedral and all who had attended the Rite of Election left with a renewed sense of anticipation and excitement for the great feast of Easter.

Click here to see the photo gallery of this event.