In one weekend, Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, conferred the sacrament of Confirmation upon young people at three parishes in the Bourbonnais/Kankakee region: Maternity BVM, St. George and St. Patrick.
Confirmation at Maternity BVM Parish
He has conferred this sacrament of initiation many times over the last 10 years since he was ordained an auxiliary bishop in Belize, and often in Viatorian parishes.
At St. George Parish, he asked the 16 confirmation students about their preparation, whether they studied the Catholic faith, and whether they deepened their prayer life, by attending Mass with their parish community. He also asked them about their service project and he encouraged them to continue to actively live out their faith.
Fr. Dan Belanger, pastor of St. George, with Bishop Chris Glancy
“With your preparation for conformation, you’ve been given a taste of what it’s like to understand our faith,” Bishop Glancy said. “But keep coming back, to read the Word of God — and the Bible — to learn more about our faith.”
In hearing about their service projects, Bishop Glancy encouraged the young people to look around their own community for ways they can help. He described service projects of young people in Belize, who told him they accompanied their elders into the woods to search for firewood to use for cooking.
“There are all kinds of ways we can look around to see how we can help,” he said.
Bishop Glancy with Associate Mary Finks and her grandson, Landon, at St. Patrick Church
The highlight of the liturgy came when each confirmation candidate approached the altar, with their sponsor by their side. Bishop Glancy anointed each one with holy chrism, saying: “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
It’s a powerful moment, no matter how many times he confers the sacrament.
“In confirmation, you receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “It’s a special gift to strengthen you to be stronger Christians in proclaiming the Good News of Our Lord.”