5/24/23
Dear Parishioners,
I'd like to share with you my note to our confirmandi (those preparing for Confirmation), their parents and our team. Remember that Confirmation is an extension of Pentecost. This year we have the double grace of celebrating Confirmation on Pentecost itself. Come, Holy Spirit! Please come out Sunday at 5pm to welcome Bishop Elizondo and our 46 candidates for Confirmation. Here is my letter to them which can help us all prepare for a renewal in the Holy Spirit:
Dear Little Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this 6th day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, I was thinking of all the confirmandi preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation this Sunday evening. What a joy to witness this outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon these faithful youth and adults (~38 youth and 8 adults). I was reading in Holy Spirit 101 this little section on preparing for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The author gives this advice:
- Strive to remain free from sin and in a state of grace. Avoid temptation, go to confession regularly, renounce occult activities.
- Participate in the sacramental life of the Church. Receive the Eucharist often.
- Cultivate a daily prayer life.
- Pray often with others, especially those who are also seeking to grow in the gits of the Holy Spirit.
- Ask God in prayer for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- Be obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
What does this mean for our confirmandi in these last few days of preparation? I would echo these in that one should have gone to confession already during the retreat. If not, plan on going soon. We have confessions tonight at 7:30; Friday at 9:15am and again on Saturday at 3pm.
Receiving Confirmation assumes that you are committed to going to Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation. Parents, please support the faith life of your children by making sure they get to Mass. This could be your most important obligation as parents! Praying daily includes the 10 minute meditation that we gave you. Take time with Holy Scripture, especially the Acts of the Apostles and John 14-17. Ask God again for the grace of the Holy Spirit. The more you desire it the more you will be filled and the more you are filled, the more you will be overwhelmed with joy.
We rejoice with you. You are God’s gift to the Church. We hope to continue to cultivate our gifts together in what’s called Mystagogia, or more recently called Feed the Fire at St Stephens. Let’s continue to grow in the gift of the Holy Spirit together. As Pope Benedict said, “All are willed, all are needed, all are loved.” That includes you!
Peace to your hearts, I’m looking forward to Sunday.
Fr Ed and the Confirmation team