"1212 The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. "...The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity."
CONFIRMATION
I'm not sure if you remember, but waaaaay back before Advent we started a "sacramental journey." In October, we dove into baptism and in November we spent a few weeks on Eucharist, our weekly church family THANKSGIVING celebration. Baptism and Eucharist are two of the three Sacraments of Initiation. In the early Church, these were celebrated as 3 parts of one ritual: A person was plunged into the waters of baptism, sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit with an anointing of oil, and then proceeded to the altar where they received Eucharist and were one with the community of all believers. We see this ancient tradition lived out with our OCIA (formerly RCIA) catechumens on Holy Saturday.
Over the years and in different cultures the placement of Confirmation has wandered more than the Israelites in the desert. You may have been confirmed in 5th, 8th, or 11th grade, or any other grade for that matter. For many years, the second graders in the Saginaw Diocese completed their initiation by being confirmed and receiving Eucharist in the same celebration. This is known as "restored order." Bishop Gruss has once again decided to move the age for the reception of Confirmation to a later age. It is important to remember that whenever an individual celebrates this sacrament, that it is a beginning (think "initiation") not a graduation or a completion or a coming of age ceremony. It strengthens what was begun in baptism and further fills us with grace to venture out of our comfort zones and reach out to others and invite them to know Jesus, to be disciples.
Here is a link to a very short article that explains the history of Confirmation:
and a 2 minute video, if you would prefer:
CONFIRMED OR NOT PLEASE JOIN US FOR THESE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES to GROW IN OUR FAITH AND to BUILD COMMUNITY
Monday, February 6 at 10:30am and 7:00pm
Please join us as Norbert Bufka presents the history of the Catholic Church in the United States from the 1500’s until today.
Currently there are only 3 people registered for the evening presentation. We need at least 5 participants to run the session.
You can find details and register here:
https://www.blessed-midland.org/2023/01/19/a-short-history/
BOX FULL of LOVE
Is there a young adult or college student or two (or three) that you would like to send a little LOVE to this Valentine’s Day? Join us on Tuesday at 7:00. To find out details and to register, please visit the website:
https://www.blessed-midland.org/2023/01/05/box-full-of-love/
Register by Monday at 7:00 pm
Marriage Blessing
and
Milestones Anniversary Celebration
This weekend Father Rob will be blessing all marriages at each Mass. No need to register!
If you are celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2023 please join us for a social after 4:00 Mass on Saturday.
Details and REGISTRATION for the social on the website. You can also call the Parish Center to register.
https://www.blessed-midland.org/2023/01/13/a-celebration-of-marriage/
So if Norb's presentation on Monday and Box Full of Love on Tuesday, aren't the right time or the right fit, we do have Theology by the Glass on Wednesday. We meet at Grape Beginnings at 7:00 and this week we will be reflecting on St. Mother Teresa's famous quote:
"I can do no great things, only small things with great love."
I hope that the Spirit moves you to join us for one or more of these opportunities and in the meantime, please enjoy this song about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I love this tune for many reasons, but one of them is because it reminds me of our first definition of a "sacrament" as a gift and sign of God's love:
This weekend is also Small Faith Group Sign Up Sunday! The sign up sheets are in the church near the font. I hope that when I come to work on Monday that there isn't a spot left open!!
Wishing you all a spirit filled week!
With Joy and Gratitude,
lyn