The Catholic Sun
CONFIRMATION-2
Branches of the Vine
Young Catholics complete sacraments of initiation
By Andrew Junker | May 21, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
CAREFREE — They were lined up down the main aisle of Our Lady of Joy’s church in starched shirts, white dresses and uncomfortable dress shoes.
And they were nervous.
Well, “nervous and excited,” explained Jenna Mateo, one of the 40 or so third-graders who made their first Communion and were confirmed by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted May 10 at the north Valley parish.
Maci McMeel — who chose Christina as her confirmation name — agreed with Mateo.
“I was kind of nervous because there were a lot of people watching us,” she said. McMeel said she had thought a lot about what it would be like to receive the Eucharist, and that making her first Communion was very “exciting.”
Across the Diocese of Phoenix, confirmation and first Communion season is in full bloom. Hundreds of children are receiving the sacraments either from the hands of the bishop or one of his appointed vicars or deans.
Jill Pavolovsky prepared the young confirmandi at Our Lady of Joy. The sacrament preparation is worked into the regular religious education classes at the parish, which have been focused on preparing for confirmation and first Communion for about a year now.
“The restored order of the sacraments helps the children receive the Blessed Sacrament more worthily and gives them the graces to make better choices in their lives,” said Pavlovsky, who is known to her students simply as “Miss Jill.”
Linking confirmation to baptism as one of the sacraments of initiation, as well as teaching the children about Pentecost and the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit “helps them understand how confirmation will help them live out, spread and defend the faith,” she said, “as a third-grader and hopefully beyond.”
In his homily, Bishop Olmsted told the children about their new responsibilities as fully initiated members of the Church and gave them advice on how to remain close to Christ.
The Gospel reading included Jesus telling His disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without Me you can do nothing.”
“These words of Jesus help us see why holy Communion and confirmation are such great blessings from God,” Bishop Olmsted said. “The sacraments help us stay in communion with Christ, and that’s the only way to have real joy.”
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CONFIRMATION-2
Branches of the Vine
Young Catholics complete sacraments of initiation
By Andrew Junker | May 21, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
CAREFREE — They were lined up down the main aisle of Our Lady of Joy’s church in starched shirts, white dresses and uncomfortable dress shoes.
And they were nervous.
Well, “nervous and excited,” explained Jenna Mateo, one of the 40 or so third-graders who made their first Communion and were confirmed by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted May 10 at the north Valley parish.
Maci McMeel — who chose Christina as her confirmation name — agreed with Mateo.
“I was kind of nervous because there were a lot of people watching us,” she said. McMeel said she had thought a lot about what it would be like to receive the Eucharist, and that making her first Communion was very “exciting.”
Across the Diocese of Phoenix, confirmation and first Communion season is in full bloom. Hundreds of children are receiving the sacraments either from the hands of the bishop or one of his appointed vicars or deans.
Jill Pavolovsky prepared the young confirmandi at Our Lady of Joy. The sacrament preparation is worked into the regular religious education classes at the parish, which have been focused on preparing for confirmation and first Communion for about a year now.
“The restored order of the sacraments helps the children receive the Blessed Sacrament more worthily and gives them the graces to make better choices in their lives,” said Pavlovsky, who is known to her students simply as “Miss Jill.”
Linking confirmation to baptism as one of the sacraments of initiation, as well as teaching the children about Pentecost and the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit “helps them understand how confirmation will help them live out, spread and defend the faith,” she said, “as a third-grader and hopefully beyond.”
In his homily, Bishop Olmsted told the children about their new responsibilities as fully initiated members of the Church and gave them advice on how to remain close to Christ.
The Gospel reading included Jesus telling His disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in Me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without Me you can do nothing.”
“These words of Jesus help us see why holy Communion and confirmation are such great blessings from God,” Bishop Olmsted said. “The sacraments help us stay in communion with Christ, and that’s the only way to have real joy.”
More: www.catholicsun.org
ORDERING INFORMATION
Looking for a glossy/matte copy of this photo? Please call 602-354-2132 or send an e-mail for ordering information. Please note the photo's title when ordering. Download the order form here.
Copyright 2006-2009 The Catholic Sun. All rights reserved. This photo and all photos on this Web site credited to The Catholic Sun are provided for personal use only and may not be published, broadcasted, transmitted or sold without the expressed consent of The Catholic Sun.