Thank you Rita

After a 35-year contribution to the life of the Diocese through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Rita Elswyk has put her organizing and coordinating skills aside for now.

Rita has retired from the volunteer role of Sale Diocesan Coordinator RCIA, after 10 years of service which followed many years involved with RCIA on a parish, regional and national level.

Rita worked with three Bishops across 10 years. Rita was presented with a rose called “In Appreciation” by Bishop Greg Bennet at a luncheon in December (2021) in recognition of her service.

Bishop Greg said many of those who Rita had helped would be unaware of her role supporting those on the ground in parishes running RCIA programs.

“They would not know they have been touched by your work,” he said acknowledging her ongoing service which initially started as a three-year appointment by Bishop Christopher Prowse.

Rita’s role involved organizing the Rite of Election and Mystagogia Mass each year and supporting the RCIA leaders in each parish in various ways as well as leading RCIA in her own parish of Moe.

The Diocesan RCIA program generally welcomes around 30 to 40 people to the Church each Easter from across the Diocese.

Barbara Durand, Joan Robertson, Rita and Naomi Elswyk, Bishop Greg Bennet, Sophy Morley and Siji Dominic at Rita’s thank you luncheon.

Rita said one of the best things about the role had been the friendships she had made and the friendships she had seen formed through RCIA.

“I introduced one man to his sponsor and after the program they became lifelong friends, they would hangout together, watch the footy together…its just really lovely,” Rita said.

“I also learnt a lot from those who came to RCIA, they often had such enthusiasm to learn about the faith,” she said.

“They challenged me a lot and asked such great questions.”

Rita was also involved in many RCIA conferences, local and national, both in Victoria and interstate. Her involvement with RCIA began back in the late 1980s after her daughter Naomi completed her First Communion.

Rita said now aged in her 70’s, she felt it was time to retire and give others a chance to help out.

“The Priests retire at 75 so I thought it was the right time for me to retire,” she said.

The luncheon was attended by a small representation of those whom she had worked with over the years at the Chancery and in Parishes. The event providing the opportunity for storytelling and reflection on Rita’s contribution.