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The Sacrament of Confirmation: A Call to Evangelization and Carrying out Christ’s Mission
“T
he best is yet to come.” These words are often heard in relation to some of life’s major milestones — the birth of a new baby, the first week of college or a couple’s wedding day. It may come as a surprise, however, that this forward-looking phrase also provides an apt description for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church. Indeed, far from signaling an “end” to a child’s formation in the faith, Confirmation is a Sacrament of Initiation encompassing the completion of baptismal promises, the reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the beginning of one’s full life in the Church. “Confirmation enriches what we receive at Baptism,” says Tayler Culbertson, St. Philip Neri Youth and Young Adult Coordinator. “When we’re baptized, our parents take baptismal vows and promises, and we are initiated into the Body of Christ. But with Confirmation, we are taking those promises and vows for ourselves. We’re completing those baptismal vows so that we can be better witnesses to Christ in word and deed.” Here at St. Philip Neri, young parishioners begin their Confirmation journey in ninth grade. Following two years of discussion-based classes, retreats and volunteer opportunities, the youth receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of their 10th grade year. Next month, about 100 teenagers will be confirmed right here in our parish! To illustrate the reality of Confirmation as the beginning of a full life in the Church, Tayler uses the analogy of a social or service club. “I always tell the teens that Confirmation is an initiation,” she says. “If there is a club or organization
that you are interested in, what do you do? You check it out, learn more about it, and then you get initiated into that club. Once you’re in that organization, you contribute to it, you attend events, and you invite others to it. After the initiation, you are tasked with participating and contributing to it. With Confirmation, you’re a full member of the Church, so that involves evangelization, living as Christ, and making sure we carry out the mission of love and service.” There are many opportunities at St. Philip Neri for teenagers who want to continue their spiritual growth and participate in parish life. In addition to faith formation offered by the high school youth continued on back cover
“If there is a club or organization that you are interested in, what do you do? You check it out, learn more about it, and then you get initiated into that club. Once you’re in that organization, you contribute to it, you attend events, and you invite others to it. After the initiation, you are tasked with participating and contributing to it. With Confirmation, you’re a full member of the Church, so that involves evangelization, living as Christ, and making sure we carry out the mission of love and service.” — TAYLER CULBERTSON, ST. PHILIP NERI YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT COORDINATOR
