Confirmation Mass 6th April 2008

On the 6th April, the parish will welcome Rt. Rev. William Kenney (Aux.Bishop of Birmingham) to our parish mass at 9.30am. At this mass, Bishop Kenney will confirm 9 of our young people: Ruaidhri Bennett, Ellie
Biggs, Catherine McLelland, Anna Nightingale, Elisha O'Brien, Harry O'Brien, Sophie Ritchie-Yates, Rebecca Ritchie-Yates and Liam Russell

				Our confirmation Candidates

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a key moment in the life of a young Christian. It is now that the responsibilities of following Christ are publicly acknowledged by the individual for the first time. The rite of Confirmation is a service where a young person “confirms” the promises made at their Baptism. The sign the Church makes is prayer and the anointing with chrism. The Holy Spirit touches the candidate with his gifts.

The preparation for the Sacrament must be undertaken with great care, to ensure that the candidates know what they are doing and can begin to come to terms with the way they will be expected to live their lives. This year, our parish has been able to provide this course of instruction for the first time. Teresa Green, who has been leading classes sums up this first for the parish as folows:

"We are looking forward to the Sacrament of Confirmation which, for the first time, is to be celebrated at our own Church. Bishop Kenney is going to come and confer the Sacrament at the 9.30 Mass on Sunday 6 th April. The children have regularly attended an evening class to learn and to understand the significance of the Sacrament in their lives. They a have worked hard, following the ‘Gifted in the Spirit’ scheme, and are looking forward to meeting the Bishop on their special day.

Father Arakat has taken a keen interest in the candidate’s learning and regularly visits the class to see and discuss what the young people have been learning. This has included: working together in the Church; who makes up the church community – from a local level to a world wide level; the four virtues we need in our lives; the precepts of the Church; discussion of Pentecost and the symbols of the Holy Spirit; the seven sacraments; the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and the significance of the Rite of Confirmation – the seal of the Holy Spirit and the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop.

It is hoped that all the candidates have enjoyed their preparation and feel they understand the importance of this Sacrament. That by asking for, and receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they will have the special strength to live a a full and meaningful Christian life."

After Mass everyone is invited to meet Bishop Kenney and to share refreshments with the confirmandi and their families. Please remember the confirmandi in your prayers.