July 31, 2020

Dear Friends in Christ,

On July 29, four adults in our parish family completed their 10-month journey to receive the sacraments of initiation and enter our Catholic church as full members. In a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program year like none other, these four individuals -- plus, three more who will join them Saturday, Aug. 1 -- learned about our Catholic faith through the witness of fellow parishioners, reflection on Scripture and rich and revelatory discussions. Led by RCIA Coordinator Tony Bosnick, these candidates for the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation learned about the lives of Catholic saints, Catholic social teaching, different prayer forms and the sacraments through the witness of both parish staff members and active Catholics. Through doing so, they witnessed the joy and clarity these Catholics experience in their faith and the conviction they must grow spiritually every day.

  

As I traced the sacred Chrism oil onto their foreheads and laid my hands on the heads of the Confirmandi, they received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and became bonded to our Church, as they are now called to bear witness as Christians in word and deed. As I gave the Holy Eucharist to some of our candidates for the first time, they finally tasted the everlasting Body of Christ. It had been a long time coming, but this group of willing Christians are ready to begin their own journeys as Christian disciples.

As we celebrate the reception of our candidates into our church, I want to also recognize the seven sponsors who helped guide these individuals to this joyous occasion. They stood in support of the Confirmandi, openly shared their faith stories and, most of all, gave their presence to the candidates on their 10-month journey that begins anew at the altar. This is a role open to any Catholic of good standing over the age of 16, and as the new RCIA year begins this September, I hope you, too, may feel called to shepherd a curious truth seeker into our Catholic church. Please pray for our candidates and make room for seven new members of our Catholic church.

Have a blessed and wonderful week!

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John