Letter from the Pastor
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November 6, 2022During the month of October, Bishop Walsh confirmed our 8th or 9th graders at three beautiful ceremonies. Our parish family congratulates our young Catholic adults, their sponsors, and parents. I would like to thank Mrs. Lattuca, Mrs. Maldonado, Mrs. Horgan and their teachers throughout the years who prepared them for this big day.
Confirmation is often a misunderstood and overlooked Sacrament of the Church. Yet it is so important to the spiritual life of the individual. There are three sacraments that mark the soul with an indelible seal: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. In these three sacraments, there is an anointing with Sacred Chrism (perfumed oil); it is the sign of a consecration. At the Chrism Mass during Holy Week, our Archbishop blesses two oils but “consecrates” the Sacred Chrism.
At Baptism, God adopts us as His son or daughter. After we have grown and matured in our faith, God comes to us again to deepen the bond of love, and emboldens us to live our faith to a greater degree. God knows we need help to live out our baptismal dignity and calling. He knows we cannot do it by ourselves. Therefore, He gives us the fullness of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation so as to provide all we need to live as we are called. Through Confirmation, those who are anointed, participate more fully in the mission of Jesus Christ and in the fullness of the Holy Spirit that he possesses, so that their whole life may give off "the sweet aroma of holiness.”
The catechism teaches that Baptism gives new life, the Eucharist nourishes life, and Reconciliation restores life when it is broken, Confirmation strengthens that life by the gifts of the Holy Spirit (cf. CCC 1285). It is about strengthening what God has given, and continues to give, to his sons and daughters (cf. CCC 1302-1303).
In the Sacrament of Confirmation God is strengthening the divine life, which He gave at Baptism; that life which must be constantly nourished by the worthy reception of the Eucharist.
The newly confirmed through the outpouring of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit can better defend and witness to the faith. As we know there are—and will be—many situations where we are called upon to defend and witness to our faith. It also strengthens our relationship with God our Father. Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ, increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord ) in us; renders our bond with the Church more perfect; it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross. This is why Confirmation is so vital for us to have.
Finally, Confirmation is the third and last Sacrament of Initiation. The 3 Sacraments of Initiation make us full members of the Church, eligible to be sponsors to others in their sacraments of initiation.
So, if you haven’t received your Confirmation, please call the Parish Center.
We will be hosting classes for adults (16 or older) so as to receive your Confirmation at Easter.