Welcome! Bishop greets more than 300 coming into the Church at Easter
by Anne Marie Cox | February 23, 2026
Grinning widely, Bishop William Joensen this past weekend warmly welcomed and greeted the men, women, and children who will be coming into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.
At St. Peter Church in Council Bluffs and at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in West Des Moines, crowds filled the pews for the annual Rite of Election.
The catechumens (those who are not baptized) and candidates (those who have been baptized but have not been confirmed or received First Eucharist) were greeted by Bishop Joensen.
In his homily, Bishop Joensen encouraged those preparing to enter the Catholic Church. “You recognize and distinguish the genuine call of the heavenly Father, to be bathed in the baptismal waters of Christ’s death and resurrection.”
He encouraged them to continue their commitment after Easter by spending time with Jesus in adoration and going to Mass, a choice “more precious than any earthly money.”
“We are so much richer as an assembly today and as local parishes as the church of Des Moines and the universal Catholic Church by your presence here and by your preparation and commitment to be initiated into our midst,” said Bishop Joensen.
“Thank you. Thank you for responding to the Spirit. Together may we strengthen one another” as we worship God, offer our lives as a gift to him and to one another, he said.
The catechumen process has ended for the unbaptized as they are now called the elect.
“Today, we recognize a reality that has already been accomplished by God in the life of those to be called elect. God calls -- elects -- each by name. At this liturgy, the catechumens take the name ‘Elect of God’ for we joyfully recognize the good work God has begun. God promises faithfulness in completing this work in the waters of the baptismal font,” according to the diocesan Office of Divine Worship.
For the candidates, they publicly shared the experience of God that is leading them to deepen their Christian faith within the Catholic tradition.
“As a Church, we welcome these Christians and their individual experiences of Christianity. They enrich the lives of the members of their parishes as they have been enriched by their communities’ expression of life in Christ,” according to the Worship Office.