Dear Parishioners:
This Tuesday, June 3rd, a special event will take place throughout the day and even through the night. Our parish is designated as one of the locations for the diocesan wide Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Volunteers are needed for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the overnight hours. We will also host that same evening a special Holy Hour and reflection by Fr. Liam McDonald at 7:00 PM. Come join us!
In addition, on Sunday, June 8th our diocese is holding a Eucharistic Congress as part of the National Eucharistic Revival. The Congress will take place at St. Anthony’s High School. Please see the bulletin for registration details. It promises to be an inspiring day with guest speakers, Mass, confessions, and fellowship.
About two weeks ago, we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation for 115 eighth graders. Bishop Robert Coyle was the celebrant. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The newly confirmed person is strengthened for service to God’s family, the Church.
One of the effects of Confirmation is that a confirmed person is now an “adult witness.” As a “witness,” you need to know things about “the case,” namely Christ and His Church. In addition, you need to testify on behalf of Christ. Being a confirmed Catholic means that you are not to remain silent about Christ and His Church; rather, you are to tell others about Christ.
Confirmation also completes the Sacraments of Initiation (along with Baptism and Eucharist). As a confirmed person, you are now eligible to be a godparent and a sponsor for Confirmation as well. And, perhaps most importantly, a confirmed person has received the fullness of the Holy Spirit, that same Holy Spirit that the candidate first received at his/her Baptism. The newly confirmed person receives a “sacramental character,” an indelible or irremovable mark on the soul which makes the person more like Christ permanently!
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society. We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service. Please pray that our newly confirmed eighth graders will live up to the challenge of their Confirmation!
Remember: Together, we can do something beautiful for God
In Christ,
Fr. Brian