Confirmands urged to show that Christ is alive

Nov 22, 2019

IPOH: Twenty-seven young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Michael’s Church (SMC) Nov 9.

Bishop Sebastian Francis was the main celebrant, with SMC parish priest Fr Anthony Liew and priest-in-residence Fr Robin Andrews concelebrating.

The confirmands comprised 11 from the English-speaking group and 16 from the Chinese-speaking group.

The church was full as many parents, relatives and friends of the confirmands came to pray for them.

In his message to the young people, Bishop Sebastian said that they must be at the forefront of  the mission to show others  that Christ is alive.

They must live it and share it from their own simplicity and goodwill which comes from a genuine faith in Christ, so that they will be able to transform others.

Pope Francis, he said, had mentioned three great truths in the document Christus Vivit: God loves you, Jesus saves and  Christ is alive.

“This is the invitation and message to all  of you. Accompany each other and support each other in your mission.

“Remember you can only save what you love, and only what is embraced can be transformed.

“Jesus’ faithful love is greater than all our problems, frailties and flaws,” he said.

He added that during the Extraordinary Missionary Year which closed last month, there was a change in the Church as we see it – made up of clergy, religious and laity.

“We must go back to our roots and think of the Church as being made up of apostles and disciples, besides the clergy and religious.

“All those baptised are disciples, and can go out to proclaim the gospel.”

So the young people must not miss the chance to show others how it is in our ordinary lives and weaknesses, that God most manifests his strength and love for us, he added.

Many of those confirmed agreed with Bishop Sebastian’s message that youths had to do something for their faith.

Sharings from the newly confirmed
Ivan Chan Tak Choong, a student of St Michael’s Institution, said he felt “renewed” after Confirmation, like a brand new person. “I am not proud of some of the things I have done in the past – and now is a chance to start over. “With God’s help, I want to make the youth come together and reunite as a strong force.

“I hope to rejuvenate the youth group here and I notice that I have been praying the rosary more often. I know how important the Catholic faith is to me, and I pray for my grandfather who passed away recently. He, besides my parents, was the one who taught me a lot about the Catholic faith."

Sudanese Tegjwok Andrew John Ojur Dennis, comes from the Shilluk tribe of South Sudan. Although he was born here in Malaysia, he still speaks the language of his tribe, which was taught to him by his lecturer father who works in Malaysia and a diplomat mother back in Sudan. He has two siblings.

Recently he went back to Sudan on a visit and was able to participate in a native language Mass celebrated there and compared it to Mass celebrated here.

“It’s more interactive, and when we sing, it’s very reviving. At the same time, we can build bonds of friendship, as we mingle with each other, “Here in Malaysia, it’s a more reserved approach at Mass and I am used to that, but I am starting to enjoy Mass celebrated in my native language as its encourages others to open themselves up to God.”

He added that the time he felt really “open” and touched was during the confirmation camp, where everyone had to go through a session of thinking about their sins committed against their parents and the  internal “wounds” caused by them against their parents.

“I want to contribute more to the Church after this, since they (the teachers) gave me so much knowledge about my Catholic faith with such care and love,” he said.

Thanishta Anne Laurence said she wanted to make her parents happier and would pray for them. “I know my role as a Catholic, and I have to help and inspire others to get involved,” she said, adding she was already a lector at SMC.

Jerome Khor said he was proud and happy to receive Confirmation, and that he now wanted to concentrate on praying for peace in the country. “I hope to get involved in teaching catechism to young children at SMC starting next year,” he said.

Alexander Yee Jia Hao, said he was filled with joy and peace on receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. An altar server at SMC for the past four years, he hopes to contribute in other ways at church as well.