ST. JUDE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY   PAGE FIVE      FEBRUARY 17, 2002

How strange the above titles/terms sound in our ears!  We are not too familiar with these terms, yet they have been part of our Catholic vocabulary since the time of  Jesus Himself.  For Jesus Himself used these terms: "I have "chosen" you, you have not "chosen" Me." (John 15:  ).

We sometimes hear these terms in reference to national, state or even local elections.  We hardly expect to find these terms referring to the Church and its members.   

But long before our ancestors thought about electing their leaders, God was "electing" a people.  The first person God "chose"/"elected" was Abraham.  God constantly throughout the pages of the Scriptures refers to the Jewish People as His Chosen People, His Chosen Nation.  God selected from all the people of the world this rag-tag clan in a tiny corner of the earth to be a special, holy, chosen people.  God did not choose them because they were noteworthy in any way.  They were not powerful nor mighty.  They were not particularly clever.  Others around them were better educated and had developed many intellectual ideas.  Many were better merchants.  These people were poor.  Most were nomadic shepherds or small village people who barely eked out a living.     

However, once they were "chosen" by God, they were God's forever.  Even today we refer to the Jewish people as God's "Chosen Ones."  Even when they strayed, looking to other gods for hope or for help, God clung to them fiercely, calling them back again and again whereas anyone else would have gladly let them go.

It is the same with us!  God chooses us, He elects us, in Christ, to be a holy people, a royal priesthood, a chosen nation, to be a Church, to be signs of the reign of God on earth.   

The "Rite of Election" was held last weekend.  The Catechumens (those who have never been baptized) who have been preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion), and all those who have been working with them for years believe that God has "chosen", has "elected" them, to become one of us, the baptized.

During that Ritual, their godparents/sponsors, their catechists, and their friends testified before the Bishop that God has chosen these people.  They offered in evidence how these Catechumens have been living amongst us:  hearing and following God'' Word, praying with God'' chosen people (each of us), and taking part in the work and the communal life of God's Church.    After listening to this evidence, Bishop Curry in the name of the

Archbishop of Los Angeles declared that they are "elected" for Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion.  Declared that they are chosen to be God's in Christ Jesus --- not because they earned it, but because God wants it.  And that is an election by a landslide!!!

At the same time, those Candidates (persons who are baptized in another ecclesial community) were also chosen to be admitted to the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.   

Let us keep all these people in our prayers each and every day as they prepare to be numbered fully among us at the Easter Vigil.

All Fridays of Lent are Days of Abstinence.  Also, Stations of the Cross will be celebrated each Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the church.

In addition, St. Jude's Knights of Columbus along with other parish groups will be giving away a Lenten Friday Soup & Salad Dinner in the Parish Hall.     

Volunteers are being sought to do babysitting Wednesday evenings during Lent during our St. Max-St. Jude University Adult Education seminars.  Volunteers are needed from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  This would be a great way to earn Confirmation or high school Service Hours.

To volunteer or for more info, please contact Cindy Kozal at 818 - 707 - 7629.