Jessie: The Rite of Sending

So, in RCIA today we had a mini-retreat. The topic of the day was mainly prayer. On mini-retreat days (always held on a Saturday), we go to 4 pm Mass across the parking lot. Then we get to skip Sunday 8:30 am Mass, and I get to sleep in a bit. This week was different because on Saturday the RCIA members were presented to the church and our sponsors were asked if we were ready to move on in our education.
This information was based on a survey I had to take and Greg had to sign off on. After the Rite of Sending, we went downstairs to break open the word.

Sunday I will attend a Service at St. Joseph Cathedral, which is where Bishop John McCormack is. There I will attend the Rite of Election, which is where he blesses me. My parents are supposed to go, which will make me happy, because so far, only my dad has attended any of the services that were important to me (presentation and midnight mass.)


Sunday:
Well, I went to the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion ceremony today. St. Joseph Cathedral is gorgeous, it's almost like being in Rome, not that I would know, I've never been. I'd imagine it would look like that though. Greg wore his suit and I wore a dress. Most of the other people wore street clothes, but since this wasn't your basic Sunday, I wanted to kick it up a notch.
They called the catecumens first. Then they brought up the book of elect up. It was beautiful. My mom said she got nervous when she didn't hear my name. I got called up when the candidates went up. Greg stood in the pew as my sponsor, and answered that he supported my continuing of my education. Father Bob, our pastor even attended. After I shook the Bishop and deacon's hand, I took my place up front, facing the assembly. My mom and dad were in the back, waving, but I knew I couldn't wave back, I just smiled. As the presentation went on, I felt the sudden urge to cry. I really wanted to, but held it back. After the presentation, I was allowed to go back to the pew where my parish was assigned. My parents came around to our pew after the service and met a few of the team members. Dad said mom had to work that night and so they couldn't join us for the reception downstairs, we asked where they parked and my dad, being the wiseguy he always is, replied." In the space reserved for the Pope!"
So, I must say, I had a great weekend, and I feel more confident at every mass I attend. I also feel like I belong, I think I really found what was missing in my life.
Greg and I are going to do a rosary this week! I'm excited, it'll be my first rosary ever, I don't babysit anymore (Christina's mom took over, and it was better for everyone because I used to drive 45 minutes each morning and then work an 8 hour shift on top of it, and her mom can really use the money more.) ,so I have more time, and I even took Holy Week off from work ( I have 3 weeks of vacation and I NEVER use it before Dec 27th [my hire date] so therefore, I lose it!). So, enough of me rambling, I hope you all have a wonderful week!