December 8, 2022
CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD'S GREAT
BLESSINGS TO OUR
CONFIRMANDS:
Margaret Marie Federici
Michael Scott Gleason
Kayden James Harrison
Caroline Jaci Klein
Jacob Robert Kula
Clara Marie Manning
Addison Lynn McMillen
Braxton Haze Overbey
John David Talbert
Kori Elizabeth Thomas
Sophia Elizabeth Villani
Roman Leevi Withrow
Emerey Elene Withrow
Maverick Holl Zachman
There are three sacraments of Initiation into the life of the Church ~
Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or “confirm” the baptized in union with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1285)
“Baptism, the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the sacraments of Christian Initiation whose unity must be safeguarded” (paragraph #1285, The Catechism of the Catholic Church).
In today’s celebration of the Eucharist, during which our young people will be confirmed by the bishop, everyone in our church should be praying that they will be filled with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts include not only an increase in faith, hope and love, a greater commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church and the discernment of the life and vocation to which God is calling them, but also the gifts prayed for by the bishop in the prayer just before the confirmation takes place. These spiritual gifts are: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe in the presence of God.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in paragraph #736 as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22b-23a). The actions of our lives should reflect these fruits.
Faithful to Scripture and Tradition, there are three positions of ordained ministry in the Catholic Church: deacons, priests, and bishops.
Bishops are priests ordained to continue the ministry of the Apostles of Jesus Christ by leading the Christian community, proclaiming the Christian faith, and calling the People of God to holiness.
Bishops, like our Bishop Michael McGovern serve as pastoral leaders of local churches such as the Diocese of Belleville or the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. They are responsible for the pastoral, spiritual and administrative well being of all of the parishes and Catholic institutions in their dioceses. Only bishops can ordain deacons, priests and bishops. Bishops are the usual celebrants of the Sacrament of Confirmation. All Catholic Bishops are appointed to the episcopacy by the Pope himself and they carry out their pastoral ministry in full communion with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who continues the ministry of St. Peter in the Church as head of the College of Bishops and Pastor of the worldwide Catholic Church.
The correct way to address the Bishop in conversation is simply, “Bishop McGovern.” A more formal greeting is “Your Excellency.”