Faithful Servants of Christ

Aug 09, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Archbishop Julian Leow administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 51 candidates of the Church of St Joseph on Sunday, July 14 during the 6.00pm Mass. There were 28 students from the Form Five catechism class, five candidates from RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and 18 from the Myanmar Zomi community. This is the first time the Myanmarese are joining in.

After a long period of preparation, learning, sharing, serving, fellowship and through their commitment of attending classes regularly – they have come forward with promising hearts to be faithful servants and ambassadors of Christ. By the laying of hands and anointment with the Oil of Sacred Chrism, they received the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church: # 1300-1301).

Today, they have become spiritually matured adults. This Sacrament has brought them deeper into communion with the Catholic Church. They had the opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith and now, put into practice their faith in order to be Disciples of Christ.

My dear newly confirmed ones, and also the young people, a great future awaits you if you just focus on the bright side of life and identify your real value. When your faith creates sparks in the life of others – that is the day when your faith comes alive. Once you go out and seek the people who need your help, and help make these people’s lives better and beautiful, then you will know that you have changed someone else’s life. That is the day you can proudly say that your faith in Christ is alive and you are alive in Christ! Let’s “seek the Lord; your faith will revive,” (Ps 69: 32).

“Godparents, you have a significant role to play in the life of your spiritual sons and daughters, in order for them to be living examples of faith. I am happy that the candidates chose you to be their sponsors and I hope and pray that you will continue to offer your support and encouragement in their faith journey.

As parishioners, we need to serve as role models to our newly confirmed and RCIA candidates. We need to encourage them to learn more about the Catholic faith and welcome them into our community. It is our duty to look after their faith and share the joy of Christ, which we have experienced ourselves.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, said that the Sacrament of Confirmation “strengthens our relationship with the Church and gives us special strength from the Holy Spirit to defend the faith” and “it unites us more firmly to Christ.” The Church will continue to be responsible for their regular Mass attendance and for their growth in spiritual life. The Church will also continuously offer formations, so that they may increase their faith and be united firmly in the Catholic Church.--stjosephsentul.org