More than 150 people were confirmed during two separate liturgies in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost celebrated the April 6 confirmation and Bishop Edward Malesic was the celebrant for the April 27 liturgy.
At the first confirmation, about 50 candidates from 16 parishes were confirmed by Bishop Woost. Concelebrants were pastors from some of the parishes.
“When you walk out of this cathedral today, you will be a changed person,” Bishop Woost told the confirmandi. “God is doing something new in -- and for -- you. This isn’t the end, it’s a new beginning, a new opportunity to grow in God’s life and a new way of pouring God’s love into us.”
The bishop recalled his own confirmation, sharing that he asked his grandfather to be his sponsor. He chose the name Peter, after the first pope.
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“Little did I know then that years later, I would be walking in the steps of Peter as a bishop. You never know what God has in store for you,” Bishop Woost said.
He asked the confirmandi to imagine if they got a gift and never opened it to see what was in the box. “The giver of that gift would be disappointed. Today, you are getting a gift from God. Today, you are the box and your life is the wrapping. You need to come alive, to open that gift. Let the Spirit use you. Invite the Spirit to fill you.”
At the second confirmation liturgy, 105 candidates from 18 parishes were confirmed by Bishop Malesic, who told them they were receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which would strengthen them.
“If the walls of this church caught fire from the candles, you would get out, you would leave. That’s what the early Christians did,” Bishop Malesic said, adding, they went out into the world on fire with their faith and eager to share it.
“You are the Church. You understand that God loves you. Stand up and say it to someone,” he told the confirmandi. After they did, he congratulated them for fulfilling the first part of their mission: giving the good news of salvation to someone. “You just made a difference for someone. Keep it going. Don’t be afraid to tell people you’re Catholic. It’s your identity.”
He told them Jesus gives his love to them on the altar at every Mass, and reminded them that attending Mass should be a priority. He also reminded them to pray, including before meals.
During their confirmation, he said each person would be anointed with a special consecrated oil, chrism, that has a good, “churchy” smell. “That smell reminds you that Jesus will cling to you,” Bishop Malesic added.
He also told the confirmandi that their long-term goal is to get to heaven. “You can’t stay here – it isn’t an option … Don’t let anyone steal your faith because that will make the devil smile. Make Jesus the center of your life. Your faith is like seeds that need some help to grow. We are a family of faith that looks forward to the future,” Bishop Malesic said.
The two diocesan confirmations included people from parishes with a small number of confirmandi that did not have a parish-wide confirmation and confirmandi who were unable to attend the liturgy when it was celebrated at their parish.