Scene from a retreat at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Feb. 10, for kids in 3rd and 4th grade gearing up for Confirmation. (Photo by Dann Ebina)
Student takes part in a retreat at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, Feb. 10, gearing up for Confirmation. (Photo by Dann Ebina)
Isle pastors, catechists tackle Original Order challenges, embrace sacramental surprises
By Darlene J.M. Dela Cruz
Hawaii Catholic Herald
“All that is done for the Lord will bear fruit in its own time.”
Bishop Larry Silva in an April 24, 2015 letter noted that the diocese’s initiative to restore the Sacraments of Initiation to their “Original Order” would be an ambitious process. Education and communication, reworking youth ministry programs, rigorous catechesis and more would be required to shift Confirmation in the Islands from high school to the age keiki typically anticipate First Holy Communion.
In 2018, fruits of the efforts put in for Original Order by parish priests, religious education teams, volunteers and parents are beginning to take shape. The diocese is preparing for “Big Pentecost,” May 20, when Island parishes will administer Confirmation to all teenage confirmandi and candidates in grades 2-12 in the first group of parishes fully transitioning to Original Order this year.
The Hawaii Catholic Herald asked several pastors and catechists to reflect on how “on the ground” work has been going for Original Order. Parishes have faced challenges but bore many surprises and spiritual rewards as well.
‘A learning process’
“Parents seem to have come around,” said Father Stephen Macedo, pastor of Annunciation Church in Waimea, Big Island. The first reaction of his parishioners to Original Order, he said, was “confusion.”
The biggest challenge at Annunciation has been getting comprehensive youth ministry up and running. Island parishes are required to have service activities and ongoing faith formation for young Catholics in place of their previous high school Confirmation classes.
Youth and young adults, Father Macedo noted, have since been proactive in becoming lectors, ushers and Eucharistic ministers.
Parishioners at St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani, too, were initially “perplexed” by Original Order, said pastor Monsignor John Mbinda.
“Parents especially wanted to know what this would imply for them and their children,” he said. “Catechists and volunteers were worried because the very idea of the Original Order was totally new.”
Monsignor Mbinda said it has been difficult finding enough godparents for the increased number of Confirmandi.
“A good number of the people some parents chose happen to be either not in good standing or not confirmed,” he reported.
He and the staff at St. John have provided marriage convalidations and shortened adult Confirmation programs to alleviate this dilemma. Monsignor Mbinda explains, however, that “we cannot deny a child the sacraments due to the fact that they have no godparent.”
This Lent will be “an intensive preparation,” Monsignor Mbinda said, when “all students and their parents are going to be involved in the celebrations together with the parish community.”
“The whole process has been a learning process,” he said.
Father Arnold Ortiz, pastor of St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea, said parishioners asked, “Aren’t the children in grammar school too young to understand what Confirmation is all about?”
“They are too young, but receiving sacraments isn’t so much about totally understanding as it is allowing God to totally love us,” Father Ortiz said. “Families see more clearly the importance of being good examples of the Christian life for their children to help them prepare for the sacrament.”
St. Elizabeth faced “administrative” challenges with Original Order, he explained, including parish registration for all confirmandi, and adding up to three more Masses to the regular liturgical schedule of Pentecost weekend.
‘Inspired by the Holy Spirit’
Tonata Lolesio, catechist at Maria Lanakila Church in Lahaina, Maui, said the number of students in catechetical classes have increased with the Original Order transition.
Two new catechists came onboard to help with the workload. They have also been relying on sacramental videos and other creative catechetical tools provided by the diocese.
“It is crucial that these resources are used at all opportunities with parents and parishioners,” she said. “These resources have been developed in a way where the message is clear and engaging.”
Prayer, Lolesio said, has been the most important part of their Original Order process.
“Find and spend quiet time with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament,” she advises other parishes.
Chrislyn Villena, catecheist at St. Joseph Church, Hilo, said changing long-held notions about Confirmation “in the old days” took some time.
“Many of the older generations didn’t agree (with Original Order) at first, but the current generations who are raising their children in the faith are very excited,” she said. More families at St. Joseph, as a result of Original Order, are exploring ways to express their faith and stewardship by assisting in parish
ministries.
“To see them inspired by the Holy Spirit … affirms all the hard work many have given to make this a successful transition,” she said.
Julia Torres, director of education and formation at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ewa Beach, has engaged the parish Original Order efforts through vigorous communications in the church bulletin, emails, Mass announcements, spreadsheets, printed calendars and more.
Torres said Our Lady of Perpetual Help has about 300 Confirmation candidates for Big Pentecost. There is a stronger “feeling of welcome” in the parish as the community has come together. She hopes that grace will continue to draw more people into the church after Big Pentecost.
“There’s a question in the back of my mind,” Torres said. “Would parents bring back their children in the coming catechetical year now that their children have been confirmed?”
RESTORING ORIGINAL ORDER
Sacraments of Initiation resources and info
Recommended video:
“Sacraments of Initiation in their Original Order: One Ohana” http://bit.ly/2GiWfiR
Editor’s note: This is the third article in a series over the next several months chronicling the Original Order transition. Articles in this series can be viewed online at www.hawaiicatholicherald.com
