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Rite of Election – Mouro family join 377 preparing for Easter entry into Church
The Mouro family of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights pose in front of the tomb of the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen after the Rite of Election at St. Mary’s Cathedral on March 8. (Left to right): Truman (13), Katria (20), Cameron, Laura, Levi (in front of Laura, 8) Haven (17), Pearl (10) Semaiah (15), and Amalea (12). (supplied photo)
During the Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion which took place in separate weekend sessions on March 8 and 9 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, 377 catechumens and candidates gathered to be called by name by Bishop Louis Tylka.
When he came to the contingent from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights on Saturday, March 8, Bishop Tylka might have been forgiven for having to take a deep breath before calling the names of the Mouros. He would have to do it nine times.
Well, I need to say the prayer because I’m the Catholic.” – Eighth grader Truman Mouro, who entered the Catholic Church just ahead of his parents and siblings
Parents Dr. Cameron and Laura Mouro were joined by children Katria (20), Haven (17), Samaiah (15), Truman (13), Amalea (12), Pearl (10), and Levi (8). Haven and Semaiah attend Peoria Notre Dame High School, while Truman, Amalea, Pearl, and Levi are at St. Thomas the Apostle School. Katria is in the workforce.
TEN CHILDREN IN ALL
The Mouros have ten children in all. The two eldest are out of the house and another is away at university. Dr. Mouro hopes that eventually all might decide to enter the Church, but for now, the lucky number is seven.
Technically speaking, eighth-grader Truman is already a Catholic. As his Dad explained, “He wanted to go through confirmation with his class (at St. Thomas the Apostle School).” Still, it was decided that Truman would accompany his siblings and parents at the Rite of Election “in order to maintain that family solidarity.”
If his family has any questions, Mouro said Truman can show them the Catholic ropes. At recent mealtimes he has taken to kidding the others, “Well, I need to say the prayer because I’m the Catholic.”
LONG AND WINDING FAITH HISTORY
Cameron Mouro said his grandfather was an immigrant from Spain and a deacon in the Catholic Church. Though his father (and several siblings) subsequently left the Church, Cameron said his dad found his way back to Christ.
“He was drafted during the Vietnam War and stationed in Germany and he met a Baptist minister there . . . he recommitted his life to Christ, but in the Protestant Church.”
As well, Cameron’s wife Laura’s family had been Catholic – and Polish Catholic to boot. Her mom and dad left the Church, and so Laura was raised Christian, but not Catholic.
What brought them back?
There were a few touchstones, said Mauro.
SANCTITY OF LIFE, AND EUCHARIST
“I would say early on for us it was definitely the teachings on contraception and the blessings of children,” he said, while admitting that “we were very far from the Catholic Church at that time.”
We’ve kind of read our way into the Catholic Church.” – Dr. Cameron Mouro, on he and his wife’s journey home to the faith of their forebears
More recently, he and Laura have been inspired by “the teachings on the Eucharist; the real presence of Christ, that’s been a big one for us – and then just the authority that Christ passed on in the Church.”
What the Mouros encountered, as Catholic author John Janaro described it in the context of the conversion story of the Presbyterian pastor William Orchard (Magnificat, March, 2025), was “objectively sustaining spiritual riches of ancient Christian traditions that led . . . to the Catholic Church.”
ALWAYS FELT SOMETHING MORE
Mouro added that even as he and Laura checked out other forms of Christian worship, they “never felt settled . . . always felt like there was something more.”
As part of their search, “We’ve always done a lot of reading and self-study,” he said, and as much as anything, “We’ve kind of read our way into the Catholic Church.”
He cited authors such as Catholic convert Scott Hahn, Brant Pitre, John Bergsma, and Bishop Robert Barron’s book, “Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master.”
And so at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, March 8, the Mouro family began the final leg of their trek toward full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil.
And Truman can finally have some help with grace before meals.
Caption: Bishop Louis Tylka greets Nick Herman, one of a large group from St. John’s Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois in Champaign received at the Rite of Election on March 8. (supplied photo/St. John’s Newman Center)
