Brittany Bevilacqua admits being disappointed at first about not being able to receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist at last year’s Easter Vigil due to the pandemic lockdown.
But with time, she came to appreciate “continuing the process for a little longer,” using those additional months to continue to develop her prayer life.
“I think [the lockdown] gave us all something to look forward to and a reason to celebrate during these challenging times,” said Bevilacqua, who, along with seven other elect and candidates from St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, were received into the Catholic Church July 24.
Women and men who were welcomed into the Church in 2020 agreed that in the midst of the many uncertainties brought about by the pandemic, their journeys were graced with unexpected blessings, namely their learning to rely even more heavily on their trust in God. And that’s a message they wanted to share with others, especially those who are preparing to be welcomed into the Church this year.
When parishes were preparing to reopen in June after a three-month lockdown, one of the directives that Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., issued was that those who were scheduled to receive the Sacraments in spring 2020 had to be initiated no later than Nov. 29.
“I was very sad for them during the lockdown,” Nancy Breese, the RCIA coordinator in Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton, said of the parish’s two elect and two candidates as well as the three adult Confirmation candidates.
But everyone understood the seriousness of the pandemic and appreciated the steps taken to keep us safe,” Breese said, noting that the group remained in touch throughout the lockdown and “our communications were always upbeat and prayerful.”
Breese recalled when she was able to tell her RCIA group that they were going to be received into the Church Oct. 11. “They were joyful,” she said. “I have so much respect for their strong faith and commitment, which continued through the pandemic. They are an inspiration to me.”
In God’s Time
Elect Zachary Evans of Sacred Heart Parish, Mount Holly, didn’t mind having to wait more than five months to receive his Sacraments on Sept. 27.
“RCIA not only showed me the importance of God but also friendship and that God is most present when we are together,” he said.
Alex Spalding, who was baptized, confirmed and received First Holy Communion in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton, said that in addition to loss over the past year, “I’ve also experienced an incredible transformation, growth and renewal in faith while waiting to receive the Sacraments.
“In a way, it was like Lent didn’t end until Oct. 11,” he said, adding that upon receiving his Sacraments, he “felt deeply aware that I was a different person from when I first began RCIA.”
“But that was only the first step in a longer journey to live as a faithful Catholic,” he said.
Bevilacqua, too, also noted the poignancy of receiving the Eucharist for the first time. “In that moment, I finally felt fully connected to my loved ones and my faith.”
She said she was joyful to have her fiancé, Nicholas, a member of the Co-Cathedral, serve as her sponsor. “He stood by me every step of the way,” she said.
On the other hand, Bevilacqua also missed her grandmother, Josephine, who died of complications from COVID-19 in April.
“I felt it was fitting to choose St. Josephine as my Confirmation name. I thought that was the perfect way to honor her and keep her extra close to me,” Bevilacqua said.
RCIA team members like Jen Schlameuss, pastoral associate at the Co-Cathedral, shared a faith-growing experience that resulted from the quarantine.
Before the lockdown, she said a young teenager with autism had started RCIA with his sister, but he required a different type of learning environment and did want to continue.
When RCIA sessions began virtually, the teenager returned, she said. “I welcomed him and asked if he wanted to prepare for his Communion and Confirmation, and he excitedly said, ‘Yes.’
“This was the venue that he could be comfortable in. In a million years I would not have thought of that as an option,” she said, adding how that experience “heightened my sense of gratitude for Gods’ faithfulness.”