Pastor's Column 9-24-2023
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September 24, 2023Dear Parishioners,
Are you a Catholic who has never made his or her Confirmation? It is a more common phenomenon than we might think. There are many reasons why a person missed this most essential Sacrament. If you have yet to receive it, then you are missing out on essential graces in the spiritual life. As its name suggests, Confirmation strengthens or confirms the graces received at Baptism. It more completely infuses into the Christian the gifts of the Holy Spirit and makes the person more responsive to the promptings of the same Spirit. Gifts such as counsel, wisdom, knowledge, fortitude, piety, understanding, and fear of the Lord provide help in our daily lives. Furthermore, a person’s complete initiation into the Church remains incomplete without receiving Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
Typically, Catholics who need Confirmation attend RCIA classes (Rite of Christian Initiation). These classes take place over an entire year and culminate in the reception of the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. This long period of prayer, discernment, and education is necessary for someone becoming a Christian for the first time or entering the Catholic Church. But for someone already Catholic, it can be risky to delay the reception of needed sacramental grace. In light of this need I am beginning a new program here at the parish.
Twice a year the parish will offer Catholics the chance to sign up for classes to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our first session begins in October with Confirmation scheduled for Christ the King in November. It is open to Catholics 18 and older who have not yet received Confirmation and are members of St. Teresa Parish. There are five sessions total and we meet after the 4:00pm Saturday evening Mass at 5:30pm in the Church Hall. If you are interested in learning more, please send an email to [email protected] or pull me aside after one of the Masses.
I realize this is short notice, but do not worry if you need the Sacrament and cannot commit to the fall session. Another session to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation will be offered in the spring around Pentecost. Just to be sure: this is not a program for those thinking about becoming a Catholic. That program is called RCIA and more information on that will be coming in the next couple of months.
In Christ,
Fr. Barrow
