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Confirmation
A deeper level of belonging
A story:
Robert was one of Esther Thompson's favourite
young people. After Esther's husband died, Robert did all
her odd jobs, like mowing the lawns. A real friendship
developed between them. But Esther faced am embarrassing
dilemma when Robert invited her to attend his Confirmation.
All her life, Esther had a mistrust of the Catholic faith,
especially its "magic" rituals.
After agonising over the invitation she finally
pushed aside hr distrust and attended. She was totally
unprepared for what happened. She wrote later "The
Confirmation service dissolved my years of ignorant distrust...The
Catholic faith was beautiful. Three years have passed and
I'm now a Catholic. I thank God every day that Robert
invited me to attend the sacrament of Confirmation."
(Path Through Catholicism. Mark
Link Page 104)
Those baptised as an
infant continue their initiation into the Church by receiving the
Sacrament of Confirmation. The liturgy (sacred ritual) of
Confirmation involves:
-
Laying of hands by the
Celebrant (often a Bishop) on the head.
-
Anointing with Chrism (perfumed
oil) on the person's forehead and
-
Saying "Be sealed with the gift
of the Holy Spirit".
The same Holy Spirit whom Jesus
communicated to his disciples on Pentecost is now communicated to
us. The Holy Spirit's presence is the special sign or "seal"
that we belong to Jesus and have been called and empowered to
witness to Jesus and to continue his work.
At St Michael's, we celebrate Confirmation with
receiving Holy Communion for the first time. Sometimes both
sacraments are celebrated in one Mass. At other times, we
separate them by a week or so.
For when and how we celebrate and prepare for
Confirmation, be in touch with either
Monsignor Brian
Arahill or our Religious Education Director
Sister Francis Kelly |
