ROCKFORD—The Cathedral of St. Peter was the setting for two gatherings of people from across the diocese for the annual Rite of Election on Feb. 17: a 10 a.m. English-speaking group and at 11:30 a.m. those whose first language is Spanish.

Bishop David Malloy welcomed the catechumens (requesting baptism and other sacraments) and candidates (who are baptized but request additional sacraments, including confirmation).

He acknowledged the location for the annual event and gave “particularly a word of welcome to any who have not been to this cathedral church before.”

He explained that “in every diocese the cathedral church is the mother church; it is the Church in a sense that all belong … That’s why we ask those who want to be the elect (and) those who are being called to confirmation, that’s why we do it here, for you. The family and friends to be here then, it’s such a great thing and how welcome you are.”

The bishop noted how both catechumens and candidates “have a real sense of anticipation … drawing now near to something they have been preparing for, and … it is something that you begin to really long for, something that you know you need in order to be with Christ … that feeling of anticipation of being joined to the Catholic faith. It’s a draw to the happiness that is promised by the Lord, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

“The heart knows there is something here that is deeply good.”

Those who took part in the Rite of Election ceremonies
at the Cathedral of St. Peter on Feb. 17 were:

ALBANY
St. Patrick: ♦ Isabella Marie Posateri

ALGONQUIN
St. Margaret Mary: ♦ Adrianna Marie Dietz, ♦ Joshua Douglas Mercer, ⇒ Dr. Robert Craig Chamberlain, ⇒Miranda Chisty Lorena

AURORA
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: ♦ Jackson Best, ♦ Philesa Stonecliffe, ⇒ Martin Beedle, ⇒ Greg Madden, ⇒ Anissa Norris, ⇒ Manuel Quinonez, Jr.

Our Lady of Good Counsel: ♦ Natalie Beto Tecaxco, ♦ Daniela Beto Tecaxco, ♦ Angelina Garcia, ♦ Roberto Garcia, Jr., ♦ Gianna Gutierrez, ♦Ayesa Herat Gutiérrez Cordero, ⇒ Jordy Carrillo, ⇒ Oscar Casas, ⇒Victor Jesus Casas, ⇒ Olga Castro Madero, ⇒Jazmin Chavez, ⇒ Uriel Garcia Gonzalez, ⇒ Jannine Gutierrez, ⇒Alexander Guzman-Abrego, ⇒ Jose Luis Guzman Pasillas, ⇒ Jesus Alejandro Martos, ⇒Monica Martos, ⇒ Andrew Nocelotl, ⇒ Cinthia Nuñez, ⇒ Yarely Nuñez, ⇒ Jonathan Oritz, ⇒ Isabella Resendiz, ⇒ Giovani Rodriguez, ⇒ Nicolas Rodriguez, ⇒ Luna Salgado, ⇒ Ernesto Sanchez-Xique, ⇒ Jesus Sanchez-Xique, ⇒ Daniel Songer, ⇒Christopher Suarez, ⇒ Giovanni Suarez, ⇒Giselle Suarez, ⇒ Alexa Villagran, ⇒Ailyn Xochitecatl, ⇒ Angel Xochitecatl, ⇒ Obed Zaragoza Campos

Sacred Heart: ♦ Abigail Alanis, ♦ Ashley Castejon, ♦ Maarly Yamilet Lopez, ♦ Natalie Perales, ⇒ Luis Alvarado, ⇒Rito Cepedo, ⇒ Elio Loera Cruz, ⇒Angel Duarte, ⇒Edgar Duarte, ⇒ Raymundo Flores, ⇒ Oscar Hernandez, Jr., ⇒ Joquilina Hernandez, ⇒ Lisbet Jimenes, ⇒ Monica Jimenes, ⇒ Clemente Lopez, ⇒ Octavio Sanches, ⇒ Miguel Torres, ⇒ Julio Segura, ⇒ Armando Leyva, ⇒ Janae Alamos, ⇒ Samuel Brijido, ⇒ Lluvia Duran, ⇒ Javier Godines, ⇒ Jose M. Gonzalez, ⇒Areli E. Gonzales, ⇒Alexis Martinez, ⇒ Alondra Martinez, ⇒ Esmeralda Ramirez, ⇒ Karol Reynoso, ⇒ Ricardo Rodriguez, ⇒David Ruiz, ⇒Elizabeth Valdez, ⇒Jahyra Velasquez,⇒Hugo Villalobos, ⇒ Alison Washington, ⇒ Christopher Xochitecatl, ⇒ Daniel Fernandez

St. Nicholas: ♦ Edgar Daniel Hernández, ♦ Raúl Goiz Miranda, ⇒Ronald David Barrera C., ⇒ Juan Carlos Bermudez E., ⇒ Magdalena Campos H., ⇒ José G. Crisóstomo V., ⇒ Uriel Chávez Recendez, V Floresmeralda García, V Saraí Gonzalez, V Erika León Aguiñiga, ⇒ Jorge Alfredo León A., ⇒ Izel Patricia Peña, ⇒ Isaac Pérez, ⇒ Paulina Rojas, ⇒Santiago Sánchez, ⇒ Lizzette M. Torres, ⇒ Alex Vazquez, ⇒ Estefani Vazquez, ⇒ Florimar M. Villanueva C.

St. Peter: ♦ Alejandra Canchola, ⇒ Yajaira Rodriguez, ⇒Carlos Gallegos, ⇒ Rosemary Vazquez

St. Therese of Jesus: ♦ Martha Hermila Martinez, ⇒ Ismael Aldama, ⇒ Yuridiana Marlene Garcia, ⇒ Flor Esmerlda Garcia, ⇒ Juan Hernandez, ⇒ Alejandro Lopez, ⇒ Vanessa Rodriguez, ⇒ Axel Darin Tochimani

BATAVIA
Holy Cross: ♦ Madison Elder, ⇒Roy Bach, V Stefanie Bejar, ⇒Kendalyn Birkett, ⇒ Terry Blaida, ⇒Michael Dionisio, ⇒Nick Elliot, ⇒ Jayna Gallagher, ⇒ Jayce Hakizimana, ⇒ Kevin Hakizimana, ⇒ Steven Haye, ⇒ Kirsten Mueller, ⇒ Chris Quitno, ⇒Jonathon Reid, ⇒ C. Maxfield VanDeMark

BELVIDERE
St. James: ♦ Carolyn Boettcher, ♦ Elizabeth DeAlba Bookman, ♦ Anthony Corirossi, ♦ Jonathan Rocha, ⇒ Jasmine Arguello, ⇒Daniel Zavala Banuelos, ⇒ Evelyn Camargo, ⇒ Nancy Camargo, ⇒ Kevin Dennis, ⇒ Joel Hernandez, ⇒Elva Johnson-Pompa, ⇒ Brett Koepp, ⇒ Alexandria Munoz, ⇒Alex Rocha, ⇒ Jaime Ruiz, ⇒ Juliana Vidal

CARPENTERSVILLE
St. Monica: ⇒Cesar Arenas, ⇒ Susana Baltazar, ⇒Yudit Gaitan-Rodriguez, ⇒ Charly Garcia Lopez, ⇒ Leslie Ruby Garcia, ⇒ David Gomez Peralta, ⇒Hugo Inez, ⇒David Jacobo, ⇒ Juan Diego Jasso-Rodriguez, ⇒Jose Rolando Medina, ⇒ Clarisa Perez, ⇒Mary Cruz Ponce, ⇒ Mayerlyn Prado, ⇒  J. Mauro Prudencio, ⇒Andres Rosiles, ⇒ Heriberto Rubio, ⇒ Juan Angel Saldivar, ⇒ Javier Sanchez, ⇒ Jose Elias Sanchez, ⇒ Maritza Sanchez, ⇒Aldo Sandoval Avila, ⇒ Blanca Luz Sosa Cruz, ⇒ Juan Antonio Trevino

CARY
SS. Peter and Paul: ♦ Richard Knupp, ♦ Irene Ayala Rangel, ♦ Travis Weaver, ⇒ Emiliano Arellano,⇒ Anny Duran Ayala, ⇒ Olivia Artman, ⇒ Katie Bielak,⇒ Isabella Duran, ⇒ Mariano Gonzalez, ⇒Tanya Esmeralda Hernandez, ⇒ Reece Ihenacho, ⇒ Jesse Olesen, ⇒ Elian Ortega, ⇒ Irvin David Ortega, ⇒ Adivel Perez, ⇒ Luis Fernando Ramirez, ⇒ Juan Zamudio, ⇒ Heather Zilch

CRYSTAL LAKE
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: ♦ Karel R. Denkmann, ⇒ Adam R. Miller, ⇒ Matthew D. Stepanic

St. Thomas the Apostle: ♦ Adeboye Adefaso, ♦ Nori González Diaz, ♦ Daniel M. Miller, ♦ Kaitlyn O’Donnell, ♦ Blanca Estela Padilla Mercado, ♦ Ryan Robson, ♦ William Wagner, ⇒ Maria Compton, ⇒Segio Garay, ⇒Angello García, ⇒Lizbeth Landeros Álvarez, ⇒ Esteban Cabrera López,⇒ América Maldonado, ⇒ José Luis García Monfil, ⇒ Christina Murillo, ⇒ David Murillo, ⇒ José del Carmen Ortiz, ⇒ Esmeralda Vargas

DE KALB
Christ the Teacher: ♦ Christina Couch, ♦ James Fredrickson, ♦ Avery Harmon, ⇒ Ryan Davis, ⇒ Joseph Fannon, ⇒ Ricardo Quinonez

St. Mary: ♦ Mia Barradas, ♦Juan Jose Soto, ⇒ Monserradt Barradas,⇒ Angelita Diaz, ⇒ Mauricio Hernandez, ⇒Yeslin Carolina Izaguirre, ⇒ Alan Muñoz, ⇒ Adan Rios, ⇒ Jimena Rodriguez, ⇒ Kevin Sanchez, ⇒ Gabriela Santiago

EAST DUBUQUE
St. Mary: ⇒ Sarah Lindenberg

ELBURN
St. Gall: ♦ Katelyn Ekstrom, ⇒ Alissandra Ballines, ⇒ Morgan Darlak, ⇒ Nicholas Darlak,⇒ Nolan Hosking, ⇒ Jack Johnson, ⇒Avery Nackovic, ⇒Kay Peters, ⇒ Nathan Schilling,⇒ Cori Valenti, ⇒Danielle Wukitsch, ⇒ Kyler Wulfe

ELGIN
St. Joseph: ♦ Denisse Alcantar, ♦ Jesse Alcantar, ♦ Noelia Alcantar, ♦ Julius Baca, ♦ Ashlee Cobos, X Jenifer Cortes, ♦ Juan Moreno, ♦Miguel Angel Perez, ♦ Jesus Daniel Ramos, ♦ Kevin Sanchez, ♦ Wilson Sanchez, ♦ Diego Valdes, ♦ Athziri Valdez, ♦ David Xue, ⇒ Albani Nathalia Aguin Pirez, ⇒ Maria Almanza, ⇒ Jonathan Audifred, ⇒Emanuel Bahena, ⇒Lizbeth Chacon, ⇒ Celso Javier Cifuentes Alvarado, ⇒ Odilia Cifuentes Alvarado, ⇒ Angel Cifuentes, ⇒ Rubi Corona, ⇒ Jenny Cortez, ⇒Lizbeth Cortez, ⇒ Rogelio Cortez, ⇒ Maria Yolanda Garcia Sanchez, ⇒ Jesus Garnica, ⇒ Maria Guadalupe Garnica, ⇒ Rosa Isela Garnica, ⇒ Rosa Maria Garnica, ⇒ Liliana Gomez, ⇒Fatima Hernandez, ⇒ Carolina Herrera, ⇒ Maria Magdalena Holguin Pacheco, ⇒ Adrian Juarez, ⇒ Yulma Lopez, ⇒ Adolfo Mares, ⇒ Ciomara Yanira Martinez, ⇒ Nery Martinez, ⇒ Priscila Martinez, ⇒ Araceli Mendez, ⇒Marilyn Morales, ⇒ Cesar Paniagua, ⇒ Ricardo Pimentel, ⇒ Angel G. Quiñonez, ⇒ Deiber Ramos Cifuentes, ⇒ Jakelin Ramos Cifuentes, ⇒ Honorato Rodriguez, ⇒ Emmanuel Miguel Salazar, ⇒ Leonardo Felipe Salinas, ⇒ Maria Guadalupe Sanchez, ⇒ Maria Guadalupe Sanchez Damian, ⇒Andrea Soto, ⇒ Kassandra Soto, ⇒ Juan Urbieta, Jr., ⇒ Cristian Valdez, ⇒ Giselle Valdez, ⇒ Daisy Vargas, ⇒Filemon Velazquez, ⇒ Leonardo Ari Velazquez, ⇒ Anthony Villagomez, ⇒ Rodrigo Villaseñor

St. Thomas More: ♦ Angel Alvardo, ♦ Kayla Adkins, ♦ Noah Modrzejurski, ♦ Isaac Orosco, ⇒ Zack Abdo, ⇒ Larry Annis, ⇒Ryan Baker, ⇒ Syuri Collins, ⇒ Xavier Mikowski, ⇒ Adriana Morinelli, ⇒Liana Munoz, V Sabrina Peretti, V Miguel Ramirez, V Nina Smith, V Yuritzi Olvera

FULTON
Immaculate Conception: ♦ Allison Brockel

GENEVA
St. Peter: ♦ Spencer Hunzeker, ♦ Madison Stevens, ⇒Richard Corrow, ⇒ Nathaniel Donley, ⇒ Michael Franco, ⇒Colin O’Brien, ⇒ Lettecia Salinas, ⇒ Andrew Suto, ⇒ Nicholas Tazelaar, ⇒ Christine Wietrzykowski

HARVARD
St. Joseph: ♦ Madalyn Jones, ♦ Esther Tellez, ⇒Karla Celeste Aguayo-Miramontes,⇒ Joshua Carrillo Castaneda, ⇒Melany Cruz, ⇒ Yesenia Fonseca, ⇒ David Freise, ⇒Alex Gonzalez Cruz, ⇒ Alejandro Guadarrama Arista, ⇒ Jacqueline Hernandez, ⇒ Josefina Hernandez, ⇒ Rogelio Hernandez, ⇒ Yahira Hernandez, ⇒ Yuritsi Hernandez, ⇒ Dulce Huicochea, ⇒ Cristian Huicochea Aquino, ⇒ Enrique Nicholas Jimenez Amaya, ⇒ Eric Jimenez, ⇒Ariana Itayecxi Mendoza Amaya, ⇒ Alexis Mendoza Salcedo, ⇒ Jesse Morales Esquivel, ⇒ Fabian Morales Esquivel, Jr., ⇒ Juan Ortiz, ⇒ Jeri Phillips, ⇒ Melany Ramirez, ⇒ Angel Rojas, ⇒Yahir Salcedo, ⇒Vanessa Sanchez Escobar, ⇒Arturo Vazquez Gonzalez, ⇒Yaneli Lizet Vazquez, ⇒ Margaret Wisner

HUNTLEY
St. Mary: ♦Maxwell Dachman, ♦ Mia Elsadek, ♦ Michael Wan, ⇒ Jennifer Arnold, ⇒ Aaron Boycan, ⇒Mary Ellen Campagna, ⇒ Phil Campagna, ⇒ Michelle Defer, ⇒ James Delorto, ⇒Noel Gutierrez, ⇒ Vincenza Gutierrez, ⇒ Bob Hakes, ⇒ Robert Haughey, ⇒ Madison Hudson, ⇒John Mullis, ⇒Amber VanDorin,⇒ Josh VanDorin

LOVES PARK
St. Bridget: ♦Jack Harvey, ♦ Larry Harvey, ♦ Rachel Sprayberry, ♦ Sam Wolf, ♦ Jay Worley, ⇒ Christopher Behling, ⇒ Nicolas Hammerly, ⇒Dan Loescher, ⇒ Chad Maryott, ⇒ Ella Nelson, ⇒ Larry Park, ⇒ Brenda Smith

MARENGO
Sacred Heart: ♦ Nora Wagner, ⇒ Leonardo Bahena, ⇒ Estevan Hernandez, ⇒ Sebastian Hernandez, ⇒ Lexavier Bahena, ⇒ Nicholas Hogan, ⇒ Angel Correjo, Jr., ⇒ José Cruz Barradas, ⇒ Hugo Sanchez, ⇒Noe Villasano, ⇒Chantalle Villasano

MCHENRY
Church of Holy Apostles: ♦ Jonathan Rivera, ♦ Hector Capistran, ♦ Ricardo Corona, ⇒ Ana Anaya, V Victoria Arce, ⇒Dallas Chiero-Osborne, ⇒ Douglas Clarkson, ⇒ Vivian Contreras, ⇒ Magdalena Garcia, ⇒Traci Leigh, ⇒ Placido Maldonado, ⇒Andrea Miculinich, ⇒ Kathy Nowak, ⇒ Lizbeth Ortega, ⇒ Morgan Osborne, ⇒ Frank Parisi, ⇒ Cynthia Phalen, ⇒ Victor Romero, ⇒ Cynthia Sanchez, ⇒ David Smith, ⇒ Carmen Tejeda

St. Patrick: ♦ Kevin Arlanzon-Desmit, ♦ Makenzie Fanning, ♦ Myah Fanning, ♦ Payton Fanning, ♦ Amante Kelly

MORRISON
St. Mary: ♦ Evin Banks, ♦ Jacob Banks, ♦ Mason Banks, ⇒ Jerry Mulderink, ⇒ Mark Stralow

OREGON
St. Mary: ♦ Daniel Joseph Neubert, ♦ Jacob Michael Sklavanitis, ⇒ Devin James Todd

ROCHELLE
St. Patrick: ♦ Riesney Campos, ♦ Jason Fortenberry, ♦ Alexander McBride, ♦ Kalynn Norris, ♦Kevin Norris, ♦ Lisa Norris, ♦ Zechariah Norris, ⇒ Timothy Cholke, ⇒ German Coyomani, ⇒ Karl Hansen,⇒ Marina Martinez,⇒ Amanda Oroege, ⇒ Brayan Torres

ROCK FALLS
St. Andrew: ♦ Christopher Jordan, ⇒ Jeff Berge, ⇒ Angela Shields

ROCKFORD
St. Anthony of Padua: ♦ Teresa Gail Briggs, ⇒ Hailee Lynn Armato,⇒ Bianca Ann Barone, ⇒� Kaley Lin Briggs, ⇒ Keith Michael Briggs, ⇒VMaximo Alexander Garcia, ⇒ Vicki Lynn Musa

St. James: ♦ Shandi Jackson

St. Patrick: ♦ Angel Cardenas, ⇒ Daniel Alvarez, ⇒ Laura Beltran, ⇒ Erick Carrillo, ⇒ Stewie Carrillo, ⇒ Cindell Garcia, ⇒ Diana Gonzalez, ⇒ Alondra Medina, ⇒ Antonio Osorio, ⇒David Reynaldo

St. Rita: ♦ Angelica Kaylee Barroso, ♦ Jhontaya Carlina Barroso, ♦ Scott Matthew Lineman, ♦ Gavin Reed Lofquist, ♦ Kevin Anthony McDermott, ♦ Allyson Dru Muench, ♦ Evan Andrew Olesen, ⇒ Joshua Anthony Maniscalco, ⇒ Ines Milagros Carrasquillo, ⇒ Itzayana Ortega, ⇒ Daniel Ruiz, ⇒ Raina Ruthie

SS. Peter and Paul: ♦ Mirelle Carillo, ♦ Melanie Carillo, ♦ Sharol Famboya, ♦ Yaretzi Ramirez, ⇒ Alma Delia Castillo Lopez, ⇒ Alejandro Martinez Jaimes, ⇒ Tibet Alexis Moreno, ⇒ Cristian Pinedo Villegas, ⇒ Luis Almaraz, Jr. Ramirez, ⇒ Jose Juan Ortiz Castrejon, ⇒ Miguel Angel Rivas Ramirez,⇒Vicente Sandoval, ⇒ Veronica Vargas Contreras

ROSCOE
Church of the Holy Spirit: ♦ Caleb Jacoby, ⇒ Bob Hill

ST. CHARLES
St. Patrick: ♦ Jennifer Barrett, ♦ Aiden Groshek, ♦Tommy Guyett, ♦ Sam Miller, ♦ Jessica Museia, ♦ Joe Swearingen, ⇒ Jennifer Dobinson, ⇒ Jackie Gonzalez, ⇒ Gus Stoll, ⇒Alberto Tobias