Immaculate Conception CATHOLIC
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CHURCH
The Sacrament of Confirmation:
Sealed with Holy Spirit and Cultivated to Bear Fruit
A
n important element of the Christian life is bearing fruit. In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 13, Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that does not bear fruit over three years. The owner of the garden containing the tree tells the gardener to cut it down, but the gardener says he will cultivate and fertilize the tree for another year, in the hope that given the right nourishment, it will yet bear fruit. Through receiving the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, and the three-year preparation process that includes the religion class that must be taken before beginning Confirmation Preparation, the souls of our students are being cultivated and nourished — by their parents, their sponsors, the teachers, and volunteers in the Parish School of Religion program, the Mass, their prayer lives and their communities. Before being confirmed, they are already bearing fruit with their lives, and the hope is that by receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, the students are empowered to bear even more. At Immaculate Conception, 12 hours of community service are required for each of the students who go through the Confirmation Preparation process. “Service is an important part of the process,” says Sister Josephine Rasoamampionona, Parish Catechetical Leader. “We have to support our faith with service because faith is not just between me and God. It includes other people in our life such as the other members of the Church. If we help the members of the Church and they are stronger, then the Church will be stronger as well.” Parishioner Laurie Lattanzio has been helping guide her son, John, through the Confirmation process this year. “The spiritual and corporal works of mercy are so important to the Confirmation preparation process,” Laurie says. “Serving others is such a wonderful way to truly see Jesus in others, and to have a sense of purpose. John has really grown
This year’s Confirmation class with Sr. Josephine (at right)
spiritually through altar serving, and plans on continuing beyond this year.” “Last year due to COVID, I did my service hours at home,” John says. “I was happy to help out with the yard work and extra chores. This year, I returned to altar serving. Participating in the Mass has brought me closer to God, and I have strengthened relationships with the priests and other servers. I learned that helping others brings me happiness.” By showing the love of Christ to others through their service, the students help to cultivate our Church community — a community that nourishes and witnesses to them as well. As the students prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, the role of parents, sponsors, and catechists comes to the fore. This year, 11 volunteers have generously taken their time to help Sr. Josephine to prepare the 40 students, divided between two classes, who are being confirmed. “The best way to support your student is to pray together, go to Mass as a family, and be a role model in their daily lives,” Sr. Josephine says. “Confirmation sponsors are there to assist the parents as well and to be available for the students whenever they need continued on page 5
