Confirmed into Action

Two weekends ago we had our first group of high school youth get Confirmed! It was so beautiful to see everything that they had been working towards and building up to come together.  They did a wonderful job in the various parts of the mass as ushers and readers. And then the moment of truth came: the Bishop began asking his question during the homily…And immediately three Confirmands answered beautifully. Crushed it.  Afterwards the Bishop remarked to several people how impressed he was with their answers and that he did not have to wait for someone to give an answer! We could not have been more proud! Their smiling faces after receiving the sacrament was further proof that this was an exceptional group of young people.
The following Wednesday at the high school youth night each of the newly Confirmed received at Bible along with their Confirmation certificate and right before that night’s talk we gave them the opportunity to begin to give back to the Church that they had just become fully initiated into. We asked if any were interested in becoming Eucharistic ministers, lectors, ushers, choir members, or volunteers for our middle school program. All of the youth that were present signed the sheet. I was completely blown away. It’s not that I wasn’t expected them to want to get involved immediately, I knew they would, but to see the excitement on their faces to become a more active role in the Church was so overwhelming. What really blew me away was not only that most of them signed up for more than one ministry, but that the majority of them said they wanted to become leaders with the middle school program. These youth just got Confirmed and already they were looking for ways to share their faith and be the example for those younger than them! I think a lot of the time those of us in ministry forget the excitement we had the first time someone gave us the opportunity to share our faith. For some of us it is such a part of our lives that we may not think twice about it, or we may be so used to doing it ourselves that we forget the importance of letting others share their stories as well. Think back to the first time someone asked you to share your faith, would you be where you are in faith now if they hadn’t?
This past Sunday two of the newly Confirmed got that opportunity. My middle schoolers are talking about the Sacraments, and it just so happened that this Sunday we talked about Confirmation; talk about perfect timing! So I was able to ask two of the high schoolers to come and give their testimonies to the middle schoolers about being Confirmed. I should be used to getting blown away by these youth by now, but once again they surprised me! The girl I got to speak talked about how she had always seen people involved in the church and for some reason she always admired them, but now that she was Confirmed she understands WHY they want to do it because she has that same desire as well. She even talked about how that desire led her to come and talk to the middle schoolers and how she was so excited to do it! The high school boy I got to speak began with telling about his hesitations in getting confirmed, and feeling like he wasn’t ready. But through the classes, prayer, and Reconciliation he realized he was excited to get Confirmed and was so glad he did. He ended his testimony challenging the middle schoolers to grow closer to God and reassuring them that He will always be with you and help you! It was so beautiful!
To see the newest members of the Church in action gives me hope for the future. We are in a time now when many people are expressing anxiety with the election of a new pope and what will happen to the future of our Church. In my opinion, fear and anxiety is not from God. He will call the chosen to lead, He will inspire those who speak, He will continue to build His Church and no negative media coverage can stop that.  The Holy Spirit is in action, these past few weeks I have seen Him give gifts in abundance to those who answered “yes” at Confirmation. They chose to be Confirmed, and now they are choosing to continue that decision through their actions. The newest fully initiated members of our Church are inspiring me, are inspiring those older and younger, and are building up our Church.  The Church will be just fine; these youth will make sure of that.