Confirmation – even confirmation day – doesn’t just happen. There are hours of preparation that goes into the whole event by many people and it still seems like you cannot get everything done. There is of course everything that needs to be done in the church, all the paper work that needs to be finalized, the hall that needs to be set up, but there are things that need to be done in the rectory also. All of the sacramental books need to be up to date and available to the bishop upon his request. It is his duty to make sure that the baptismal, first communion, confirmation, marriage, and funeral books are all up to date and that all proper dispensations have been sought and recorded.
Dinner is of course prepared with the help of kindly parishioners. Everything needs to be timed just so. We need to have dinner on time and finish so that we still have time make the fast before Mass. If dinner is late we don’t eat. This list was posted on the wall by one of our ever vigilant parishioners to make sure that everything goes well.
The bishop is easy to please food wise but it is a Friday in Lent (so no meat) and we hate fish. That kind of limits the menu. But the chief comes through with flying colors with pierogi! We also make sure that there is plenty of lemonade this year. Last year we had only one serving and the bishop, unknowingly, requested it. When the second person at the table ordered the same thing the cook leaned behind the bishop drawing a finger across her neck, shaking her head from side to side and mouthing, “NO!”
This year we had gallons.
It’s time to start getting ready for Mass. The bishop, guarantor of education in the diocese wishes to speak to the kids beforehand. Alone. Without anyone over his shoulder giving clues to answers of his questions.
One relies on one’s guardian angel in times like this.
The kids are lined up in the narthex dressed up so maturely it is difficult to think of them as kids – they are young adults. The organ music starts and they march down the aisle and we follow close behind. After the Sign of the Cross I make the introduction of the bishop:
“Today we are honored to have with us The Most Reverend Richard Lennon, Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. In union with the pope and his fellow bishops he is our authentic teacher of the faith, the center of our unity, and the steward of the mysteries of God for the faithful under his care. Therefore on this confirmation day it is our particular joy to have him with us here today and on behalf of myself, Fr. Pfeiffer, Deacon Terry, Fr. Swirski, the confirmandi and their sponsors and family and all the people of the parish of Saint Sebastian, we greet and welcome you Bishop Lennon.”
One of the students stands to read the first reading. We can see him taking deep breathes and clenching his fists as he approaches the sanctuary. He’s as nervous as we are! But he does very well.
The actual right goes well. There are some good names that the students pick. Every once in a while Fr. Pf. or I give a discreet thumbs up to each other on some particularly cool names.
Finally there is the picture at the end. We decided to take the picture in the church. Big mistake. Things get a little out of hand. Note to self: Next year march everyone straight out the front doors and down to the hall for a picture.
Finally everyone packs up and is gone and the house is quiet. I am sore for having been so tense through the day although everything went well and the day was pleasurable. I think the bishop enjoyed himself and students understood the meaning and value of the day.
What more can you ask for?
3 comments:
So did you do a little dance like the one Laura did in the video for the bishop? If you did, I certainly hope it wasn't a liturgical dance.
I'm glad to hear that the students are taking confirmation names. When my son was being confirmed (1999), this practice was discouraged (we ignored the pressure and encouraged him to consider the patronage of a saint of his own choosing). I asked one of his friends (in our parish) which Confirmation name he was taking, and the young man said, "The Catholic Church won't let me."
Group picture
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