Bishop Malloy to celebrate confirmation at Woodstock church
St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock will welcome Most Rev. David J. Malloy, Bishop of the Rockford Diocese, to celebrate confirmation at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28.
Sixty-two students (eighth grade and high school students) from St. Mary Church will be confirmed, after completing a brand new confirmation program. The preparation program, "Chosen," calls teens to a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
"In a world searching for meaning, Chosen speaks to the hearts and minds of our youth … This is a new level of catechesis that uses modern methods to transmit eternal truths," stated Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia.
Confirmation is the fourth sacrament that the students receive. In confirmation, they receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the "laying on of hands" (a term used in Scripture) by the bishop. The students will be dressed in red robes that represent the flames of the Holy Spirit. The biggest misconception is that confirmation is a graduation. It is not a graduation, but instead a powerful step on a faith journey that continues throughout life. The Holy Spirit remains with each confirmandi to help him or her choose what is right and to make a difference in the world.
Confirmation candidates are students in eighth to 12th grade, and attend weekly sessions from September and continue through May.
Preparation includes evangelization, catechesis, and discipleship lessons grounded in the catechism of the Catholic Church and Scripture. Practical aspects of preparation include the selection of a confirmation name by researching lives of saints and learning about the saints' virtues and life, and the selection of a sponsor. Sponsors are active practicing confirmed Catholics who exemplify Christian virtues and are an important part of the students' life. Candidates also attend a retreat to prayerfully prepare for receiving confirmation, have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation, and perform 10 hours of service for the parish, school or local community. Some service includes participation in the Living Stations performance on Good Friday, assistance in vacation Bible school for the younger children, yard work for an elderly neighbor, or other approved activities that pertain to the betterment of their souls.
Diane O'Donnell, director of religious education at Saint Mary Church, says, "The new preparation program, 'Chosen' is powerful and many students have learned new things to help on their journey of faith."
She has been touched from hearing the positive reactions from those who have enjoyed the program. She also explained that in addition to the program, the service projects impact the lives of the students in a very positive way. One student wrote a beautiful note on how his service project made him feel like a better person, and how he looked forward to the next time he could help someone.
To learn more about the sacrament of confirmation or enrolling a child into St. Mary Catholic School or religious education program, contact St. Mary Catholic Church at (815) 338-3377 or visit their website at www.StMary-Woodstock.org.