Father Nicholas Akindele, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Davenport, blesses 13 students from All Saints Catholic School during a Rite of Election April 22.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Thirteen youth from All Saints Catholic School participated in the Rite of Election during the all-school Mass in front of their classmates, teachers, other staff and family members April 22 at Holy Family Church.
“Where two or three are gathered in my name — there I am with them,” Father Nicholas Akindele said to the students when opening the Mass. Quoting Matthew 18:20, he asked the students who “he” is. The students said Jesus. “Who will join with him?” Father Akindele then asked. “Us,” many responded.
Father Akindele, pastor of Holy Family Parish, told those gathered that they were all gathered together to listen to God’s word and to let Jesus come into their hearts. “There were 13” with Jesus, the priest said. “How many apostles were there?”
“Twelve,” many responded. “Who was the 13th?” One student said Jesus. “Yes, but who else.” “Mary,” another student said.” “YES. Jesus was not an apostle. He called the 12, but his mother was like an apostle.”
The priest visits the school weekly and learned many students were not Catholic. After talking with students and their parents, 13 of the youth decided to continue their journey to the Catholic Church. The group contains a range of ages beginning at 7-years-old. They receive instruction from Father Akindele and Sister Helen Adeola Ajayi, SSMA, director of faith formation at Holy Family Parish, on Fridays.
Sister Ajayi said, “Days like this remind us that God is always at work — quietly calling, gently forming, faithfully drawing people closer to his heart. You can sense his grace in the way these catechumens listen, learn and open themselves to the journey. Their ‘yes’ is a sign of hope for all of us, a reminder that God continues to move in ways both humble and profound.”
The students will receive the sacraments of initiation: baptism, confirmation and first Communion on May 29 — the final day of school — in front of their peers. Additional students, under age 7, will be baptized.
During his homily, Father Akindele asked, “What is the water of life?” The answer, he said, was the water of baptism. “Anyone who wants eternal life receives baptism.”
Following the homily, Sister Ajayi asked the students to come forward when their names were called for the Rite of Election. Deacon candidate Spencer Sierra read the names of the catechumens: Archer O’Haver, Griffin O’Haver, Sergio Hernandez, Ellie-Mae Rangel, Brooks Rangel, Tobias Perkins, Harper Kelley, Zoey Brennan, McKensie Kephart, Cora Lopshire, Kedan Wilson, Xavier Sherman and Alistair Tandeski.
Lined up in front of the sanctuary, Father Akindele read the rite and told the congregation in attendance that the youths were now known as the elect.
Father Akindele said there is no more perfect way to close out the school year May 29 than to welcome the students into the Catholic Church. He also told all the students that the parish plans a “Joyful Jam” welcoming the new members of the Church, neighbors around and parishioners on May 30.
Father Akindele said that Education Savings Accounts have helped boost enrollment at All Saints. With the significant number of non-Catholic students joining the school community, the pastor “felt there was an opportunity,” he said.
After talking with Principal Mindy Altman, he discussed “sharing the sacraments” with the students and their families. None of the 13 have been baptized in any church, he noted. Some parents had been baptized Catholic or another faith but were not active. Others were never involved in a church. He has at least one set of parents looking to join the Catholic Church next year.
He received permission from Bishop Dennis Walsh to lead the Rite of Election, which is typically led by the bishop on the first Sunday of Lent.
