GREEN BAY — Parishes around the diocese will welcome at least 220 new members into the church on April 4, at the Easter Vigil. These newest members, called catechumens and candidates during their preparation time, have taken part in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
On the first Sunday of Lent, they were enrolled in the Book of the Elect at their parishes. They were presented to Bishop David Ricken at a special Mass later in the day.
Catechumens are those who will be baptized and also receive the sacraments of confirmation and Eucharist at the vigil.
Candidates are those who have already been baptized, whether in the Catholic Church or in another Christian denomination. They will make a full profession of faith and receive confirmation and/or Eucharist in the church at the vigil.
After the Easter Vigil, the newly initiated — who will then be called neophytes — enter the final stage of the RCIA process: mystagogia.
Mystagogia is marked by the new experiences of sharing in the sacraments and in full participation in the community. Mystagogia comes from a Greek word meaning a time of entering into mystery. It is during this time that the newest members of Christ’s church learn what it means to be disciples. This period lasts until Pentecost — May 24 this year — but it never truly ends.
Following are the catechumens and candidates whose names were submitted by parishes to the diocesan Office of Worship.
Algoma
St. Mary Parish: Catechumen: Shayna Lemke; Candidates: Nellie Nellis, Jake Rabas
Appleton
Sacred Heart Parish: Catechumen: Dustin Liebhaber; Candidates: Sean Bellin, Joseph Kiley, Todd Shackleton.
St Joseph Parish: Catechumen: Curtis Riedy; Candidates: Sarah Haljian, Sara Streur
St. Bernadette Parish: Candidates: Barry Adams, Hannah Forsey, Richard Yancer, Shelly Yancer
St. Bernard Parish: Candidates: Erika Olson, Kristi Stingle
St. Pius X Parish: Catechumens: James Lambie, Cassandra Tennant, Liam Wildenberg; Candidates: Amie Barker, Nelson Beaumont, Ayess Villanueva Garcia, Joshua Kramer, Amanda Kramer, Jill Mickelson, Tanner Moser, Kevin Rust, Derick Saunders, Jada Smith, Tonya Smith, Paula Tesch, Debra Tesch, Isaiah Trelka, Kyra Wildenberg
St. Therese Parish: Catechumens: Tatiana Ajdar, Yondina Masasy, Ten Sandy, Angela Vargas; Candidates: Brenda Engichy, Elijah Engichy, Jerome Engichy, Sumuo Engichy, Ake James, Maxson Masasi, Noskin Sino
St. Thomas More Parish: Catechumen: Tate Whitlinger; Candidates: Brian Gruender, Melissa Schanke
Askeaton, Greenleaf, Wrightstown
St. Clare Parish: Catechumens: Ashley Johnson, Abbey Schmolinske
Brillion
Holy Family Parish: Candidate: Elizabeth Allie
Champion
St. Joseph Parish: Candidate: Emily Gomand
Chilton
Good Shepherd Parish: Candidate: Genevieve Pawasarat
Cooperstown
St. James Parish: Candidate: Jennifer Niles
De Pere
St. Francis Xavier Parish: Catechumen: Mitchell Blackford; Candidate: Carrie Bressers
St. Mary Parish: Candidates: Kathi Pritzl, Abby Meyer, Matthew Weckworth
Denmark
Holy Trinity Parish: Candidate: Linda Kolarik
Dyckesville
St. Louis Parish: Candidates: Malorie Berceau, Mitch Berceau, Melissa McKinnon
Flintville
SS Edward & Isidore Parish: Catechumen: William Jahnke; Candidate: Tori Huss
Freedom
St Nicholas Parish: Catechumen: James Ferrell
Green Bay
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish: Catechumens: Tammy Maus, Wayne Maus, Wesley Maus, Jammie Wagnitz
Nativity of Our Lord Parish: Catechumens: Miranda Krueger, Britt Lindley, Branden Neidl; Candidates: Jennifer Fass, Jade Malby, Jared Thomas, Tim Williams
Prince of Peace Parish: Catechumens: Jennifer Deschane, Kaitlyn DuChateau, Emory Rabe; Candidates: Teresa Bishara, Dustin Damrow, Tim Way
Resurrection Parish: Candidates: Jeri Kirkland, Annette Krutz, Jamie Mlnarik, Ryan Zietlow
Ss. Peter and Paul Parish: Candidate: Whitney Johnston
St. Agnes Parish: Candidates: Victoria Miller, Christopher O’Brien, Renee Wery
St. Bernard Parish: Catechumens: Amanda Diekman, Cody Grant, Amy Piencikowski, Garrett Vickman; Candidates: Kaela Collins, Lisa Gray, Justin Manning, Charles (Trey) Schlechty, Jorge Vicente-Ramirez
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish: Catechumen: Christopher Stoeger
St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Parish: Candidate: Rachel Winters
St. Mary of the Angels Parish: Catechumens: Hadarah Maon, Judah Maon, Lianah Maon, May Maon; Candidate: Sharon Maon
St. Matthew Parish: Catechumens: Jean Yang; Candidates: Jason Hillery, Thomas Yang
St. Philip the Apostle Parish: Catechumen: Malakai Wishart; Candidates: Misael Bautista, Jeffrey Morris, Christine Wishart
Greenville
St. Mary Parish: Catechumen: Kyle Deuster; Candidates: Renee Bohnart, Amada Hoople
Kaukauna
Holy Cross Parish: Catechumen: Jason Canales
Kewaunee
Holy Rosary Parish: Candidates: Craig Shaffer, Sara Shemenkowski
Kiel
Ss. Peter and Paul Parish: Candidate: Andrew Harper
Howard
St. John the Baptist Parish: Catechumen: Jean Nowak; Candidates: Kristi Bouchard, Jon Logan, Dakota Walker, Ethan Walker, Paige Walker
Kimberly
Holy Spirit Parish: Catechumen: Daniel Ma; Candidate: Dena Saylor
Little Chute
St. John Nepomucene Parish: Catechumens: Damien Villines, Derek Villines; Candidates: Carrie Eickman, Alecia Elrick, Kara Sprangers, Tyler VanHandel
Mackville
St. Edward Parish: Candidates: Nicole Buchholz, Stephen Cove, Cherie Hofacker
Marion
St. Mary Parish: Catechumen: Alyson Noak; Candidate: Erick Giese
Menasha
St. Mary and St. John Parish: Catechumen: Tristan King; Candidates: Randy Hanstad, Adam Markert, Alexandria Novak, Kayla Pryce, Ryan Stoltenow, Heather Wichman, Patti Wittmann, Dennis Wittmann
St. Patrick Parish: Candidates: Toni Nigrelli-LaFleur, Dan Sindahl, Richard Voelzke
Neenah
St Margaret Mary Parish: Candidates: Michele Del Viscio, Greg Treep, Sara Treep, Dr. Thomas Zoch
Niagara
St. Anthony Parish: Catechumens: Preston Pearce, Jerry Mervar; Candidate: Sam Fredrick
Omro
St. Mary Parish: Catechumen: Lindsey Eberly; Candidate: Lori Walker
Oshkosh
Most Blessed Sacrament Parish: Candidates: Thomas Murray, Michee’ Muhumbo, Katherine Pecora
St. Jude the Apostle Parish: Catechumen: Brittanie Wissink; Candidates: Lori Cook, Andrew Disterhaft, Cassandra Langeberg, Jerris McDermott, Elena Marquez Felguerez, Shane Olsen, Stephanie Wheeler
St. Raphael the Archangel Parish: Catechumen: Jacob Cahill; Candidates: Spencer Anderson, Jeremy Butzlaff, Jacob Esson, Robert Geck, Brenton Jensen, Jennifer Jensen, Kendra Krier, Kaden Kubicz, Michael Perry, Mara Pfeilstifer, Jon Pfeilstifer, Owen Phillips, Everett Phillips, Nicole Ramstack, Andrea Schneider, Brandon Zinsli
Peshtigo
St. Mary Parish: Catechumen: John Nemec
Plainfield
St. Paul Parish: Candidates: Tyler Dudei, Don Miller
Pulaski
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish: Catechumen: William Thompson; Candidates: Shannon Anker, Steven Karcz, Valerie Kleczewski, Diane Taylor
Shawano
Sacred Heart Parish: Candidates: Robert Buss, Mary Fischer, Dean Kaczorowski, Kelly Muck, Joe Niemuth, Samantha Senzig
Sherwood
St. John/Sacred Heart Parish: Candidate: Ashley Kaminski
Suring
St. Michael Parish: Candidate: Leslie School
Stiles
St. Patrick Parish: Catechumens: Jamie Blasing, Maria Laws; Candidates: Keely Hendricks, John Saari, Matthew Seiltz, Joe Wenzel
Two Rivers
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish: Catechumens: Abigail Best, Irene Knapp; Candidates: Kristine Alverez, William Becker
Walsh
Ss. Joseph & Edward Parish: Candidate: Holly Anderson
Waupaca
St. Mary Magdalene Parish: Candidates: Leah Cady, Bobbi Schuh
Wautoma
St. Joseph Parish: Catechumens: Shanyce Davis, Silas Jackson; Candidates: Ariana Maldando, Sarah McCue, Brenda Zuniga
