YOUNGSTOWN - Within the six-county Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, 142 men, women and children from 43 parishes are preparing to become members of the Catholic Church at Easter.

For many months, these folks have been participating in parishes throughout the diocese in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a process through which they become familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Catholic way of life.

Fifty-six people will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on April 8 and 86 people who have already been baptized in other Christian traditions will make the profession of faith and receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

On the First Sunday of Lent, February 26, people preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, known as catechumens, will celebrate to Rite of Election at Saint Columba Cathedral in Youngstown at 2:00 p.m.

During this ceremony, they will be presented to The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown and their godparent or sponsor. Members of the assembly will be asked to attest to their readiness for the Sacraments of Initiation.

Those already baptized and seeking entrance into the Catholic Church, known as candidates, will also be presented to Bishop Bonnar at this ceremony.

The catechumens and candidates will continue their preparation for Easter in their parishes throughout the diocese. Along with the Catholics present, they will observe the weeks of Lent as a time of spiritual recollection in anticipation of the great feast of Easter.

For more information, you can contact Reverend Michael Balash at 330-744-8451, extension 282.