WINFIELD – It’s a toss-up as to who had more fun at the Sunday afternoon baby shower held at Holy Spirit on March 19 – the guests or the hosts.
This year’s Generations of Faith confirmation class planned and presented the party, drawing up a menu, organizing games and decorating the church hall for guests who were asked to donate a baby gift for families in the Franciscan Health prenatal clinic program.
“My favorite part is helping people and seeing them smile,” said confirmandi Maggie Arceo of the requirement that youths preparing for the sacrament that seals the recipient with the gift of the Holy Spirit, strengthening them for service to the Body of Christ.
Each eighth grader is tasked with performing at least six hours of volunteer service, as well as completing a service project. In past years, confirmands could choose an individual project or team up with one or more of their classmates, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, individual projects were the norm.
“We have found that group projects really bring the kids together,” said catechist Cindy Baumeister. “This is the first time we’ve had a baby shower; it seemed to fit well with what we do, with the donations from the guests and other parishioners going to families in need through the Franciscan Alliance prenatal program for mothers.”
Baumeister agreed that students took to the party planning with enthusiasm. “They are having a lot of fun leading the games, and they are also serving the guests and clearing plates,” she said.
Students have been attending biweekly confirmation preparation classes since they started seventh grade, complete a “challenge” between each class, and recently attended a weekend retreat, in addition to meeting the service requirement.
“I think the service requirement is the most important thing we do,” said Connor Adams as he served beverages at the baby shower. “I helped at a fish fry, unloaded a truck for a food drive and listened to speakers at three parish programs.
“The best part, I think, will be the feeling of accomplishment when we get confirmed and become a bigger member of the Church,” added Adams, who chose Patrick as his confirmation name to reflect his Irish roots and his father, who carries the name. “I learned that St. Patrick was not born in Ireland, but he eradicated the Druids (there) and created three churches and a largely Catholic country.”
As guests played Baby Bingo, The Price is Right and Change the Diaper, students awarded prizes and praised the generosity of their benefactors.
“This (service project) is teaching us how to become adults in the Church and bring the light (of Christ) to ourselves and others,” explained confirmandi Chloe Gervais, whose activities have included attending Mass, praying before meals, donating to a homeless shelter and volunteering at parish events.
“I chose St. Elizabeth of Hungary as my confirmation saint because she was very strong and helped others instead of advancing herself, even against her husband’s wishes,” Gervais said.
Arceo honored her late aunt Manuela by choosing Blessed Manuela Arriola Uranda of Spain to emulate through her confirmation name. “I expect to feel more enlightened and have a deeper relationship with God through confirmation,” she said.
While guests were encouraged to Guess the Number of Babies in a Baby Bottle, Collect Miniature Pacifiers scattered around the room and Match the Confirmandi Baby Pictures to Current Snapshots during the afternoon soiree, parents helped serve lunch and cut the cake, all the while admiring the efforts of their children.
“He has grown so much stronger in his faith while taking this journey on his own,” said Shelley Neis of her son Hyatt Neis. “The other day he asked me if I was listening to the podcast Hallow – about the saints – and I didn’t even know about it, but he had downloaded it himself.”
“I remember once about three years ago when we were caught in a storm while boating and it was serious, and Hyatt started praying out aloud,” added Scott Neis. “He definitely has faith in God.”
Sebastian Kociolek, attending the shower with wife Magdelena Kociolek and their family, said they have “planted the seed (of faith)” in their daughter, confirmandi Zuzanna, “We’ll see how it grows. Once she is confirmed – receiving the last sacrament we are supposed to lead her to – she can choose her own path to the other sacraments.”
Rochelle McNamara, director of religious education at Holy Spirit, said it is “amazing what the (confirmands) can do when you give them the opportunity. They are getting so much out of this group project, taking true ownership and they don’t complain about what they have to do.
“I think they are ready to be confirmed on April 27,” McNamara added. “They are a great group, a lot of fun to be around, and we have had a lot of good spiritual discussions.”