OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS CATHOLICS LAST A LIFETIME

Last Sunday I had a formation for parents and godparents for this year’s confirmation students. There were about 48 of them who attended the session out of 60. Thank you to all of those who took the time and effort to attend this session. Some of these parents and godparents will be animating the Confirmation Mass on 2nd July.

During the session I highlighted to them not only their roles and responsibilities, but also the challenges the parents, godparents and parish itself could face after the children’s confirmation:

• ·      We, the catechism teachers and coordinators, are competent in preparing our teenagers for the Sacrament, but what happens the days after their Sacrament of Confirmation?
• ·      How is it that many of our teenagers are confirmed, but we don’t see most of them again in the life of the Church?
• ·      Why do so many of our Confirmation students drift away from the church after receiving the Sacrament?
• ·      Parents and godparents, are you willing to spend your time to help your children grow closer to Jesus?

Soon, our confirmation students will end their catechism classes. Parents and godparents, you will be their primary tutors for the rest of the years to come. You must make every effort to lead them to Jesus so that they may develop their friendship and discipleship with Jesus.

We all are required to renew our lives daily. Our Parish is always providing on-going spiritual formation and educational programmes for all levels. After receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are encouraged to get involved in the dynamic life in Jesus, His Church, and in personal outreach to others. We shall remember to pray for our confirmation students that they may live the Catholic faith when they meet this troubling and challenging world and mature in their service to God and each other.

We celebrated the Jubilee Year of Priests on the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Father’s Day last weekend. It was wonderful to hear that many of you remembered to pray for me as your priest/spiritual father. I take great pride and rejoice with you for my accomplishments of two years in this parish. Despite having experienced many great as well as difficult moments along the way, I feel loved and proud to be part of your Parish and family. I pray that I will remain firm in the teachings of the Church, and through my homilies and talks, will follow what I preach through my actions in my everyday living.

My dear parishioners, you are always wonderful to me. We shall work together as a community and do remain united in prayers as we continue to serve our parish in this Year of Mercy. Let us continue to focus on “BECs – Witnessing Jesus through the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy”. God bless you and your families.