Confirmation completes ‘baptismal grace’ for 44 in St. Matthias Parish

“Confirmation to me is not just any Sacrament. Confirmation is the reception of Jesus Christ in our hearts, which we confirm we believe in through Confirmation,” said Isabel McGuire, a recent Confirmandi in St. Matthias Parish, Somerset.

Bishop James F. Checchio celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation for 44 youth, their sponsors and families May 3 in St. Matthias Church. Father Abraham Orapankal, pastor, and Father Lancelot McGrath, parochial vicar, served as concelebrants.

Throughout the year, Bishop Checchio administers the Sacrament of Confirmation to youth in the many parishes of the Diocese, ensuring the young people complete their Sacraments of Initiation, which include Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, “the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace” (1285).

Confirmandi from both St. Matthais School and the parish Growing in Faith Together religious education program are prepared together for Confirmation, providing an opportunity to “form a parish youth community,” said Dee Nann, pastoral associate for faith formation, who has been involved in Confirmation prep at the parish for 20 years.

As pastor, Father Orapankal shared, “It gives me great joy to see 44 of our young men and women receiving Confirmation. This milestone in their faith journey, as we too have experienced, completes their Sacraments of Initiation to become adult disciples of Jesus. But this is not an end of their faith journey, but a big step in the awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit who enables them to live the values of Jesus in the midst of the present-day culture giving contrary values.

“My hope is that these newly empowered young men and women will continue to be enriched as they stay close to this parish community especially through the Sunday worship and their participation in our youth ministry.”

In addition to the necessary catechetical formation, the parish “partners with the Center for Faith Justice (now Goodfaith) in their service opportunities for middle school youth called ServiceWorx camp,” a one-week experience for students in their 7th and 8th grade year of preparation, said Nann, noting the experience “is facilitated by young adults and is always a highlight of our program. …”

Highlights from last year’s Confirmation prep include the Grow a Row farm in Pittstown, the Center for Great Expectations in Somerset and the Hillside Food Bank, as well as a church charity in Highland Park where youth helped new immigrants.

Nann explained that youth also participate with one parent in a Confirmation retreat with presenter Colleen Kelly-Raynor, of CKR Retreats, who has been providing informational and transformational retreats for youth and adults for 25 years.

Confirmandi Abigail Joseph acknowledged, “My favorite parts of my Confirmation preparation were the service week and the retreat. I really enjoyed serving alongside my peers and was glad I could help others through my actions. We packed food at the food bank, watched children at the daycare, and helped out around the nursing home. The retreat was a beautiful experience. The presenter, Colleen, did an excellent job of reminding us why we were receiving Confirmation. Colleen ended her session with Adoration. That was an awesome experience …”

Isabel recalled the Confirmation sessions “hosted in order to prepare for such a beautiful Sacrament helped me develop a much better understanding of why I would desire to be confirmed and prepared me for all the steps leading up to Confirmation, such as ServiceWorx [which] was a huge eye-opener for me.

“It allowed me to see how much of an impact kindness and helpfulness make on others. Through ServiceWorx, I was able to see that God calls us to help everyone willingly and selflessly, and that was exactly what everyone participating did. All in all, I would not have known the true meaning of Confirmation if it had not been for all the sessions and ServiceWorx.”

Jill Kerekes, diocesan director, Office of Faith Formation for Children, reflected on the Sacrament, saying, “Confirmation makes you a soldier in Jesus’ army. If you are open to the increase and deepening of the baptismal graces this sacrament provides, you are fortified with the power to proclaim, defend, and be a Christian witness to the world.

“My hope is that all those that have received the gift of the Sacrament of Confirmation embrace their role of being the salt and light in the world, especially in their families, in their schools, and with their friends. Continue to live the sacramental life, pray, and grow in knowledge and love of Jesus. The Church needs you!”