From the Pastor - Sacraments of Initiation

The Easter Season is a prime time to focus on the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. With Easter Sunday, the long period of preparation we as Christians know as Lent is over, and we are ready to celebrate our being redeemed by a Savior loving enough to have died in our place. What joy there is for all who seek redemption and healing! What joy is there in the human heart that finds life in the Risen One!

The baptism of a child, or adult, is a profoundly new beginning in the life of the one being baptized. Not only have they received the gift of human life through the graciousness of God, but as one baptized they have received the pledge of eternal life as a member of Christ's own body. This is not merely a ceremony performed to satisfy some sentimental yearning, or to please a parent or grandparent. It is a pledge and commitment by all involved to both received the grace offered by God, and to respond throughout one's daily life. Baptism is truly a beginning, and as all things once begun, seeks continuation to one degree or another.

Confirmation is then a part of such continuation. As a baptized person reaches a point where he or she is able to accept the full responsibility of his or her choice for Christ, this sacrament offer a most powerful "sealing" in the Holy Spirit. All that is needed to live a life worthy of Christ is given to the one confirmed, and nothing will be lacking through the Spirit's gifts poured out abundantly.

And what greater gift of nourishment and sustenance can there be, than the Eucharist? To partake of the very Body and Blood of our Savior keeps us connected to him, and reliant upon his life for our own.

These Sacraments all need the utmost of encouragement going forward. The community into which we are initiated are all to rally around each other, and offer both challenge and support to live more deeply our commitment to faith. Those asked to be a Sponsor at Confirmation or a Godparent at Baptism, are specially called to give full witness to their own faith. To say "Yes!" to the invitation to enter so intimate a relationship with the one being sponsored, literally to become a visible presence of Christ in the person's life, is not to be done lightly!

A person registered and active, that is, fully initiated themselves, attending Mass regularly, celebrating the sacraments readily, and if married, married in accordance with our faith's teachings, is always welcomed to this role. The Church looks for visible signs of the Sponsor/Godparent's own lived faith. If one is not living their own life according to their proclaimed faith, then how can that person truly stand with one who needs all the help they can get, today and in the future? While there is room for improvement in all our lives, the Church expects at least the basics, and will help any who desire a fuller life in faith.

Is your own faith visible and active? Would the world know that you have been redeemed by the saving grace of Christ? Could someone rightly accuse us of being Christian? These are the things that all of us as fully initiated Catholic Christians might ask ourselves in this blessed time of reflection and rejoicing. Who knows when we may be called upon to walk with another upon their own journey of faith as a Sponsor or Godparent? May we not only be willing to say "Yes". May we also be ready and most worthy of the privilege.