19 APRIL 2025

Rick Kasselman and Kaylee Biggs joined the Catholic Church at her Easter Vigil, which began in darkness at 8:00pm with the lighting of the Easter fire.  First the Easter or Paschal entered the darkened church, and then every parishioner held a candle drawn from its flame.

Then followed the solemn proclamation of Easter known as "The Exultet."  A long series of readings from the Old Testament were pondered before lights and candles illumined the church for the Singing of the Gloria, the Epistle, and the proclamation of the Easter Gospel.

In his homily Father Klein said that humans are unique among creatures, because only we continue to yearn for more than we are, something akin to flying.  All of that was just a dream before Christ rose from the dead.

Then it was time to baptize our two "catechumens" or those who have been preparing for baptism.  A Litany of the Saints was sung by the cantor, Kiley Troyer.  Then Father Klein blessed the baptismal font, three times lowering the Pascal or Easter candle into the waters.  Kaylee and Rick were then ask to declare their renunciation of the devil and their acceptance of the Creed.  

Of course both candidates were baptised with the blessed water with the declaration, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. After the baptism, both were presented with the light of Christ in the form of candles provided by Prince of Peace Parish in Great Bend and they were vested in white.  Rick's sponsor was Dr. Charlie Joslin, and Gaila Demel was the sponsor for Kylee.

They then entered the sanctuary were they were confirmed or "sealed with the Holy Spirit."  Mass  continued with the entire congregation renewing its baptismal promises before the celebration of the Eucharist.  Rick and Kylee received Holy Communion for the first time.

The entire rite recreates the practice of the primitive Church.  Adults were also received into the Church at Easter, receiving in one rite what we now consider to be three separate sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.

A reception, hosted by the Altar Society, followed the Easter liturgy in the parish hall.