GARY – Faithful from around the Diocese of Gary filled the Cathedral of the Holy Angels on the afternoon of May 24. With their sponsors by their side, in front of family and friends, 84 men and women received the sacrament of confirmation on Pentecost Sunday.
Michelle Munoz, who attends St. Casimir, said it was her sister who had the biggest impact on her desire to be confirmed. She witnessed her sibling go through the process to receive the sacrament. Her family also attends Mass regularly, and going with them sparked an interest to participate more in the Catholic Church.
“I wanted to be part of it, and I felt like I was ready to take this big step,” she said.
When Munoz saw that religious classes were starting for those wanting to be confirmed about nine months ago, she jumped at the opportunity to register. For her, faith provides hope and strength, especially when things aren't going well.
“Faith gives you motivation when you feel you can't do something,” Munoz said. “It gives you that extra help.”
As Munoz waited for Mass to start, her advice to anyone considering being confirmed was simple – “Don't think about it, just do it. You'll feel better.”
Ethan Covarrubias, also of Hammond, said his family likewise played a huge role in his decision to be confirmed. He shared that they are practicing Catholics, and he wanted to grow spiritually with them.
“It's a family tradition to get confirmed,” he said.
On a personal level, Covarrubias wished to be closer to God. He believes God helps people every day, guiding them through whatever struggles they may be facing.
“I'm just learning all about God and getting closer to him, and I feel like life has just been improving ever since,” he said.
Munoz and Covarrubias were among those presented to Bishop Robert J. McClory as being ready for confirmation. Father Martin Dobryrinski testified that each of the candidates had completed classes that prepared them for the sacrament and reception of the Holy Spirit.
Bishop McClory then directed a specific question to them, “Do you desire to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon you and the sacrament of confirmation?” to which they responded “I do.”
During the homily, Bishop McClory said it was fitting that they were gathered where nearby, flanking the ambo, was the Easter candle. He reminded the congregation that the Easter Vigil traditionally begins outside a church with a fire. The fire is brought to a suitable blaze, and a priest or bishop blesses the fire. A small taper goes from the fire to the Easter candle. Then the candle is brought into a darkened church where the fire is transferred to candles held by faithful standing throughout the church.
“Suddenly, this otherwise darkened environment, because of the fire, is illuminated,” explained the bishop. “You can see, and the bright shining light radiates forth.”
Bishop McClory mentioned the image of fire because of its connection to the sacrament of confirmation. He noted that many in the cathedral were dressed in red, not as a symbol of the blood of martyrs, but because fire is the image of the Holy Spirit in the story of Pentecost, detailed in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible.
“It tells us that as they were all gathered for prayer, then there appeared to them ‘tongues as of fire, which came to rest on each one of them, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit,’” said Bishop McClory. “Brothers and sisters, from that moment forward, the world was forever changed.”
The bishop continued, explaining that once the fire of the Holy Spirit was given, the apostle Peter, who was tentative at times, was tentative no more. He preached with clarity, great power and effectiveness. The early disciples who were gathered in the upper room were also filled with the power that was not their own.
Bishop McClory said that when thinking about fire and its connection to the Holy Spirit, it has many different roles. One function of fire is to provide light in order to see where to go. In comparison, among the gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, right judgment and knowledge.
“We ask the Holy Spirit to show us what to do, to infuse all of our thoughts to help to guide us, and give us the mind, the wisdom, the treasure of the Holy Spirit to illuminate our lives,” he said.
Continuing to reflect on the Holy Spirit as fire, Bishop McClory said it can be used to bring heat, providing warmth on a cold night. Fire can also be a source of energy.
A fire that has been kept going, Bishop McClory noted, can propel us forward and be a source of power. He said people can have wisdom and understanding and even right judgment, but living that out requires courage and fortitude, the other gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Bishop McClory then referenced St. Paul’s letters to Timothy, where he teaches that people shouldn’t just passively receive the Holy Spirit.
“We're called to fan into flame the Holy Spirit,” he said. “We know that fires can begin to fade. We know that they can be more modest, just little glowing embers. But, as with all the sacraments, it's incumbent upon us to say, ‘Lord, I want to fully live the Holy Spirit. I want the Holy Spirit to permeate every part of my life.’”
Bishop McClory said that while that is true for those being confirmed, it's also true for all who've received the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation.
“I want you to take that flame and have it burn brightly,” he said. “When we do that, it's almost like putting kindling on the fire to keep it going strong. We do that by living out the life of faith, receiving the sacraments, coming to Mass, receiving our Lord in the Holy Eucharist and receiving the Lord in the sacrament of reconciliation.”
Bishop McClory encouraged them to fan the flame, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, through a life of prayer and by practicing the faith in a way that sends the fire outward. He said a person's flame should affect others through works of charity and service, helping others in need.
“Don't let the fire of the Holy Spirit dwindle,” he said. “If you were confirmed today, 12 years ago, 28 years ago or 63 years ago, call upon the Holy Spirit and say, ‘Holy Spirit, fan into flame the gift that you are. Allow me to burn so that I may be guided, warmed and empowered by the flame and the fire of the Holy Spirit.’”
Confirmand Jonathan Bonilla, of St. Mary in East Chicago, said he wanted to have a closer relationship with God for some time, adding he felt lucky to have a girlfriend who encouraged his faith.
“It took a while because I didn't know Jesus the way I really wanted to,” he said. “As I got closer to Him and I started understanding more this year, it finally became the right time.”
Another East Chicago resident, Kierra Florez, felt like she was missing something in her life and knew she really needed God. Increasing her relationship with God has helped to fill that void.
“I've always been filled with love, and now I can have that love to give to Him,” she said, “and He gives it back without needing anything from me.”
