The Sacrament of Confirmation: Sealed with Holy Spirit and Cultivated to Bear Fruit

An 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 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 spiritual help. They assist the family in raising the child in their spiritual journey.”

Sponsors attend three events a year with the student — a retreat-like preparation session, a practice session, and the Confirmation Mass.

Laurie has witnessed spiritual growth in John through the Confirmation process. She says, “As he has gone through Confirmation preparation, I have noticed John asking more questions about our faith,” she says. “He has looked forward to the sessions and has enjoyed seeing his friends. He has definitely matured in his attitude about attending Mass and serving others willingly.”

“In Confirmation class, we have discussed topics and questions as a group, without judgment,” John says. “Guest speakers tell us about the importance of Christ and the sacraments. The sessions helped me understand how important it is to have a personal relationship with God. I learned a lot more about my Catholic faith, and group leaders guided me along the way.”

“The goal of the class is to deepen their relationship with God,” Sr. Josephine says. “Since they are preparing to be confirmed, we focus on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and enable them to use those gifts and be witnesses to the faith in their own lives.”

Not only has John grown in his relationship with Christ through this preparation process, but Laurie has found that serving in the program, and accompanying John through this process, has strengthened her faith as well.

“I have been fortunate enough to be a group leader of the Confirmation preparation sessions, as well as blessed to be a parent of a Confirmation candidate,” she says. “Doing the Bible readings and other activities with my son has really deepened my faith in ways I never thought possible, and has brought us closer. I have attended all of the sessions with my son, so I was able to witness firsthand all of the speakers and presentations, as well as listen to the other students during our group discussions. I have been so encouraged by the joy and hope I have witnessed, and my faith has never been stronger.”

In turn, John looks forward to being sealed with Holy Spirit through Confirmation.

“My hope for Confirmation is that I will be able to make better decisions towards what God has planned for me,” he says. “I hope that being a confirmed Catholic will make my faith even stronger, and give me the courage to always do what is right.”

“My hopes for my son at Confirmation are many — that he will joyfully receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit; that he will use those gifts throughout his life; that he will be a faithful Catholic all his life; and that he will have a deep, personal relationship with God,” Laurie adds.

Ultimately, it’s the work of the Holy Spirit that leads us to bear fruit for the Kingdom with our lives. As Jesus Himself was led by the Holy Spirit throughout His ministry, so we too must be open to being led by that same Spirit, and to receive His graces.

“When we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they empower us to be witnesses to our faith so we can serve those around us using those gifts,” Sr. Josephine says.

Confirmation Preparation Classes are held once a month on Sundays from September through May and are intended for students in eighth and ninth grades who are part of the parish and have received one year of formal religious education immediately before starting the class. Though intended for parishioners only, if a student is unable to attend Confirmation classes at his home parish, he may join these classes. Classes start at 9 a.m. and end around 12:15 p.m., and include attending the 11 a.m. Sunday Mass.

If you would like more information, orif you are interested in volunteering,please contact Sr. JosephineRasoamampionona at 440-942-4500 orimmaculateconceptionpsr@gmail.com.

This year’s Confirmation class with Sr. Josephine (at right)