The evening of Confirmation was memorable, enjoyable and delightful! Bishop Douglas Deshotel, our new Bishop, was the celebrant of the Liturgy of Confirmation on Tuesday, April 25, at 6:30pm. The St. Elizabeth Seton Confirmation class of 2017 was 44 young adults: attractive, well dressed and attentive. Bishop Deshotel did an excellent ceremony and an instructive sermon about how the new Confirmands can witness their faith as young adults in the Church, in their homes, at their schools and in their community. Each of the Confirmation students was presented to the Bishop by their Sponsors. As the Pastor of these young adults, I was honored and so proud as they came forward to stand before the Bishop as they were confirmed in the fullness of the grace and in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Church was filled with family, parents, relatives and friends of the Confirmands. I thank all who were able to come and participate in the Confirmation Liturgy. The Bishop was attended by Father Paul Broussard, the Pastor of St. Leo Parish in Robert’s Cove, as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. As usual, Father Paul was so helpful, effective and orderly. Also present at the altar were two of our parish Deacons, Nelson Schexnayder and Michael Morrison. I thank them for their service and for their presence. I want to thank the Confirmation Students who were part of the Liturgy, the Altar Servers, the Sacristans, the Musicians (the Conque Family) and the 4th Degree Honor Guard of the Knights of Columbus for their part in the Confirmation Liturgy. The Pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton was so pleased and delighted with the entire evening, including the gathering in the Family Center after the ceremony and the gracious attitude of our Bishop in taking pictures with the newly Confirmed, their family members and sponsors.
The beautiful Confirmation Liturgy could not have happened without the dedicated and devoted commitment of the Confirmation Co-Ordinators of this year’s class: Cindy Conque, Alison C. Canter and Gerry Baumboree. Since the beginning of the school year, the Co-Ordinators have been diligent, generous, patient and persevering in working with the students, their families and their sponsors. I am so appreciative for their ministry with the Confirmation Program and the many others who helped during the year, including Mia Tolliver and Elizabeth Heintz. May the Lord truly bless all who helped prepare the students for their Confirmation, especially Cindy, Alison and Gerry!
This Sunday, April 30, there will be a First Communion Mass for 22 of our children at 2pm. The Mass will be very children friendly. Please remember these children in your prayers as they share for the first time in receiving the Lord in Holy Communion. One of the most beautiful and most meaningful Sunday afternoons of the entire year is the Mass of First Communion. Because of the size of our First Communion class, we will have another Mass for First Communion on Sunday, May 7, at 2pm. At that Mass we will have another 22 children make their Communion. I am grateful to the parents and families for helping to prepare these children for this important Sacrament. I also am so thankful to all the teachers of these children at our Catholic Schools and in our CCD Program for all they have done in preparing our First Communicants. And my most special gratitude goes to Tonia Harrington and Gerry Baumboree for their ministry, their guidance and their commitment in the many details and the many preparations for First Communion. May the First Communicants with the example of their parents and families follow through and receive many other Communions in the future as they worship and serve the Lord each Sunday as we gather at Mass as the family of St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish.
In the second reading for Mass today, St. Peter counsels us ‘to conduct ourselves with reverence during our journey’ knowing that the Father will judge us impartially according to our works in this life. May the Lord show us the path of life through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. My love, prayers, best wishes and gratitude to you and to your loved ones for who you are, for all you do for the Lord and for all you do for the good of St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish. May the Easter Event continue to bless, guide, strengthen and inspire us. May the Peace of the Risen Savior fill us and our relationships!
SHALOM!
Fr. Gary
Homework for the week of April 30 – May 6
