Rejoicing with Our Elect: Second Scrutiny at St. Leonard’s Church

There was a special sense of joy and anticipation at the 10:30am Mass today at St. Leonard’s Church today as our parish community celebrated the Second Scrutiny for our RCIA Elect on this Fourth Sunday of Lent.

This Sunday is traditionally called Laetare Sunday. The word Laetare means “Rejoice,” and in the middle of the Lenten season the Church invites us to lift our hearts in hope because Easter is drawing near. That spirit of joy was clearly present as our parish accompanied those who are preparing to enter fully into the life of the Church.

This year, seven Elect will receive the Sacrament of Baptism (5 adults and 2 children), and six Elect will be confirmed at the Easter Vigil. As the celebration approaches, there is growing excitement among them. Their journey of faith over these past months has been marked by prayer, learning, reflection, and a deepening relationship with Christ.

The Scrutinies are important moments in the RCIA journey. They are prayers of purification and enlightenment, asking God to strengthen the Elect, free them from anything that holds them back from the Gospel, and fill them with the grace they need as they prepare for the sacraments of initiation.

Apart from some of their family members who came to support them, the entire RCIA Formation Team was also present: Rose Aung Thien, Paul Arblaster, Judy Silva, Janet de Asis, Paul Malone, and Steve Daniels. Their dedication and generosity have been instrumental in accompanying the Elect throughout this journey of formation and discernment. Their presence today was a beautiful sign of the community walking together in faith.

In his homily, Fr. Roger connected the celebration of the Scrutiny with the Gospel of the day, the story of the man born blind from the Gospel of John. At first glance, the story is about a physical healing, but at a deeper level it is about spiritual sight and the grace of Christ who opens our eyes.

Fr. Roger reminded us that, in many ways, we are all like the man in the Gospel. We often search for meaning, truth, and direction in life. Sometimes our vision becomes clouded by pride, weakness, or sin. Yet Christ, the Divine Physician, comes to heal us and lead us into the light.

The moment when Jesus tells the man to wash in the pool of Siloam carries a special meaning for those preparing for Baptism. Just as the blind man washed and received his sight, so too the waters of Baptism open our eyes to faith and allow the light of Christ to enter our lives.

This message resonated deeply with our Elect, who are preparing to experience that same grace at the Easter Vigil.

Fr. Roger also reminded us that faith is not something we live alone. As a parish, he encouraged the community to continue supporting one another on the journey of faith. Through prayer, the sacraments, fellowship, and service, the Holy Spirit continues to open our eyes and strengthen us as a parish family.

As we continue through Lent, the Church invites all of us, not only the Elect, to hear St. Paul’s call: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Lent is a time when Christ gently touches our lives again, helping us see more clearly and draw closer to Him.

Today’s celebration was a beautiful reminder that God is still calling people to faith, still opening hearts, and still bringing new life into His Church.

Please continue to pray for our Elect and candidates as they prepare for the Easter Vigil, when they will take their final steps toward full initiation into the Catholic Church.

Indeed, on this Laetare Sunday, our parish had a wonderful reason to rejoice.