The celebration of confirmations in parishes across the diocese witnessed the Holy Spirit ‘at work’
Students from St. Theresa School, Kekaha, Kauai, who were confirmed on Pentecost Sunday, May 20, pose with their pastor, Father Emerson Delos Reyes. (Photo courtesy of St. Theresa School, Kekaha)
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
A wonderful, grace-filled, family experience.
That’s how many island parishes described the special group confirmations of their children and youth in grades two through 12 at Masses on Pentecost Sunday, May 20, and its vigil, May 19.
The event, dubbed Big Pentecost, was the culmination of three years of preparation by the Diocese of Honolulu to administer the three sacraments of initiation in their proper order — baptism, confirmation and holy Eucharist.
These children from St. Catherine Church, Kapaa, Kauai, were confirmed and received their first Communion at the Pentecost Vigil Mass, May 19. (Photo courtesy of St. Catherine Parish, Kapaa)
About half of Hawaii’s 66 parishes and Catholic ethnic communities confirmed its second graders this year. Older children, who ordinarily would have waited until high school for confirmation, also received the sacrament.
Because of the large number of confirmations at one time, more than 3,700 diocese-wide, Bishop Larry Silva delegated parish priests to administer the sacrament.
For these parishes, confirmation in the second grade before first Holy Communion is now the norm. The rest of Hawaii’s parishes will make the same transition over the next two years.
“Miracles happened this Pentecost weekend at St. Catherine Church” in Kapaa, Kauai, said Elizabeth Sancho, fourth grade teacher at the parish school. There the pastor, Father Anthony Rapozo, confirmed 103 students, 17 of whom also received their first Holy Eucharist.
Father Stephen Macedo, pastor of Annunciation Parish, Waimea, confirms a young parishioner, anointing her with the oil of chrism on Pentecost, May 20. (Photo courtesy of Annunciation Parish, Waimea)
Sancho’s description of this “enormous undertaking” could apply to other parishes as well.
“Meetings were scheduled, practices were attended, confirmation names were chosen, sponsors confirmed that they were confirmed, all leading up to the big weekend,” she said. “The confirmandi showed up, the girls beautiful in their white dresses and the boys very handsome in their formal attire. Father Anthony was full of energy and blessings as he joyfully anointed all with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“The confirmandi each gave a lei to their sponsor and, in turn, received many lei after the service. The pastor spoke to the students on how they could now join the laity of the church as lectors, eucharistic ministers and beyond,” Sancho said. “God bless the children who were fully initiated into the Catholic Church. They are not the future of our church, but the church of today!”
EXTRA MASSES
A few parishes with hundreds of confirmandi added Masses to accommodate them.
St. Elizabeth Parish in Aiea confirmed 234, requiring the pastor to add two more Masses to the regular schedule of six.
“All our ceremonies were wonderful celebrations and everyone was patient and joyful,” said St. Elizabeth pastor Father Arnold Ortiz.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Ewa Beach did not confirm anyone at its regularly scheduled five Masses, but instead added three special Masses, one on Saturday and two on Sunday, to confirm 313 children. Of these, 78 also received their first Communion.
“Pentecost 2018 was a big day for us,” said Ewa Beach pastor Father Edmundo N. Barut Jr.
He said it was a coordinated effort by clergy, parish school students, the principal and teachers, catechists, youth ministers, liturgical ministers, parking attendants, parish office staff, parents, grandparents, sponsors, parishioners, and especially those who completed their initiation sacraments.
The parish’s special choirs sang at the extra Masses.
“We salute our director of religious education and our catechists for the job well done!” Father Barut said.
St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani did not add more Masses to its regular schedule of three to administer its 215 confirmations, but instead put up a tent that seated 300 for the crowds of parents, grandparents, relatives and sponsors.
“Pentecost Sunday was a wonderful experience,” said pastor Msgr. John Mbinda. “One amazing story was about a grandpa with a disability who flew from California to witness his grandchild receive the sacrament of confirmation.”
GRACE-FILLED
At Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Honokaa, “it was a grace-filled and a happy celebration for the children, for their families and for whole parish,” said parish administrator Father Jun Bobier. He reported 31 children confirmed during the afternoon Mass and seven receiving both first Communion and Confirmation during the morning Mass.
After Mass, the Portuguese Hamakua Club organized a fellowship in the parish hall.
Father Emerson Delos Reyes, administrator of St. Theresa Parish, Kekaha, Kauai, reported 62 confirmed from the parish school and religious education classes, and two adults. A number of them also received first Communion and one was baptized, confirmed and received first Communion.
“It was truly a Spirit-filled event, solemnly celebrated and well attended,” he said.
St. Theresa parish reporter Chantal Duarte added, “It is our hope that, as they are all now sealed in the Spirit, that they will feel the Holy Spirit’s call to spread their wings in various parish ministries as the continue their faith journey.”
Maria Lanakila Parish in Lahaina, Maui, had 37 children receiving first Communion and 124 RCIA participants, youth and children receiving confirmation, divided among four Masses. The children were from both the parish religious education program and the parish’s Sacred Hearts School.
“It was a beautiful experience to share with the congregation members, both parishioners and visitors, during our regular scheduled church Mass,” said parish secretary Mary Rosenthal.
At St. Jude Parish in Kapolei, 264 children were confirmed.
It went “better than expected,” reported religious education coordinator Bonnie Boquer. “Families were very happy. The church was overflowing for all Confirmation Masses.”
St. Stephen Parish in Nuuanu saw 35 confirmed in a “moving and solemn celebration,” according to pastor Father Mario Raquepo. “Though there were that many kids, it went fast and smooth. It was a grace-filled event.”
Sacred Heart Church in Punahou confirmed 180, according to Noel Simbajon, parish office manager.
On Hawaii Island, Father Stephen Macedo confirmed 79 young people at Annunciation Parish in Waimea, where he is pastor, and at Ascension Mission in Puako. “It went well,” he said.
He will confirm three more later this year when their grandparent sponsors are able to come in from the Mainland.
At St. Theresa Church, Kihei, Maui, coordinator of religious education Kalae Martin reported 92 confirmed, three of whom were adults and 18 who received first Communion. Kelani Pong-Pilson was received into full communion in the church.
“It was a spirit-filled experience. Youth took an active role serving in various ministries during the liturgy and five priests conferred the sacraments,” Martin said. “Overall, it was a witness to see the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence our family faith community.”
St. Michael Parish in Kailua-Kona saw 149 confirmations in grades two through 12 —of whom 28 were from the Hispanic community — and 44 first Communions, according to pastoral associate Cynthia M. Taylor.
FAMILY EVENT
At St. Joseph Parish, Hilo, where 124 children were confirmed, “it was a wonderful experience when families came together and celebrated the sacrament with joy,” said pastor Blessed Sacrament Father Wilbert Laroga.
“It was really a family-oriented event,” he said. “The children were very excited to receive the sacraments of reconciliation, confirmation and Eucharist. Hopefully through these children they can bring their family back to the church. It was an excellent initiative to reach out to Catholic families who are away from the church.”
Sister Victoria Lavente, a Sister of St. Paul of Chartres who is principal of St. Anthony School in Kalihi, said that confirmation was given to 96 students — 50 from the school and the rest from the parish religious education program.
“Our students are still in awe with their experience and have a curious understanding of what it is to be a soldier of Christ,” she said. “With the world as their playground and their workplace in the future, they understand their responsibilities to the church and to the community.”
“They were joyful that their families near and far made an effort to join them in the celebration and to witness the seal of the Holy Spirit in their persons,” Sister Victoria said. “The church was packed to the rafters. The Holy Spirit’s presence was very evident!”
Resurrection of the Lord Parish in Waipio, Oahu, confirmed 155 young people between grades two and 12.
“Our faith formation team did an excellent job preparing our young people,” said pastor Father William Kunisch. “Many of our parishioners commented on how inspiring it was to see the faith of so many young people on one weekend.”
“The Holy Spirit was certainly at work,” he said, “and the wind gusts were right on cue!”
NEW LIFE AND HOPE
Chrislyn Villena, director of religious education and family ministries, at St. Joseph, Hilo, said the weekend brought “life and hope” to the parish.
“It wasn’t only about the newly initiated but their family as a whole,” she said. “Through the power of the Holy Spirit — and social media — my office is now overwhelmed with new families calling or emailing or reaching out via social media wanting the same life and hope for their children.”
“The outpouring is so vast that I am already starting a pre-registration for the next religious education cycle,” Villena said. “The entire parish, including the clergy, was essential in this historical event for us. It was a total team effort! Praise God.”
“We confirmed 164 children and adults,” said Cindy Kaul, director of religious education at St Anthony Parish in Kailua. “It was beautiful!”
Kaul said one mother of a second grader who was confirmed and received first Communion on Pentecost told her that “he commented several times that day, ‘This is the best day of my life!’”
Another mother contacted her a day later to say, “How beautiful it was to see everyone celebrating their first Communion and confirmation. I felt so proud. Now that my child’s special event is over, can you please point me in the direction of becoming Catholic myself.”
“The Holy Spirit touched not only those confirmed, but those present at the Mass,” Kaul said. “Many felt inspired by watching these young disciples receive confirmation to strengthen their own relationship with Christ.”
St. Augustine had 15 children confirmed and eight receiving first Communion.
“The parents and families were very impressed and happy how we included the children as part of the Mass,” some as lectors and gift bearers, said pastor Sacred Hearts Father Lane Akiona.
“Those confirmed attended their first ministers meeting with the rest of the community on Monday evening, as some have chosen to become active ministers within the community as lectors, ushers and more,” he said. “Most of the children are excited to now fully participate within the life of the church.”
