Confirmation Proves Poignant

Congratulations to our St Joseph’s Primary School candidates who celebrated their Confirmation during Sunday Mass at St Augustine’s this month!

Standing alongside our blessed Parish Priest Fr Gayan, Fr. Tony Chiera (Vicar General of Bunbury) lead an impassioned and engaging ceremony as he commended each candidate upon “receiving the Holy Spirit into their hearts”.  As always, his homily did not disappoint, sending a fervent message of encouragement and support to the “brave and fearless youngsters” standing before him.

And brave and fearless they are, for we all can attest to the dangers and vulnerabilities our youth face growing up in modern society.  Fr.Tony addressed the ice epidemic currently sweeping our southwest, quoting an estimate of over one million dollars a year found to be spent by our youth on methamphetamine alone.  He asked the congregation in earnest, where is the Holy Spirit in these young people?  

He touched on the recent Islamic terrorist attack at a Manchester concert in the UK, caused by young suicide bomber, Salman Abedi. Among the twenty two murdered in the senseless bombing, were an innocent young teenage couple, full of love in their hearts and the world at their feet.  Fr. Tony posed the question with warmth, Where was the holy spirit in Abedi when he commit such an abhorrent act of violence?  Why does it seem the Holy Spirit is in some of us and not others?

It was a poignant moment for reflection.  How can we as a community best inspire in our children a desire to receive the Holy Spirit into their hearts?

Thanking the families, the candidates and the teachers who lead them, the congregation were asked to join in silent prayer whilst the children received their Confirmation blessing.  Again, we thank VG Fr. Tony Chiera for his visit and his role in delivering such a moving and inspiring service for our candidates.

Liam Curry [1998 – 2017] & Chloe Rutherford [2000 – 2017].

Two of the twenty two deceased victims of the Manchester bombings, 22nd May, 2017.

Blog by C.Pettit