The Sacraments of Initiation
Today, our parish celebrates one of those special annual events with the combined celebrations of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Both of these sacraments are a part of the what the Church calls the Sacraments of Initiation. All the Sacraments of Initiations include Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. In our Catholic tradition, we celebrate these sacraments of entering the full life of the Church at different phases in the life of a young Catholic person: baptism at birth, first Eucharist at the what is know as the 'age of reason' (usually 7 years of age in our culture), and then at a later age, confirmation, the full reception of the Holy Spirit. That age can be different in different dioceses in our country and in many countries around the world. In most US dioceses, that age is approximately 16 but now it has been lowered to first communion age. In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, all three sacraments are given immediately after birth, a tradition that goes back to early Christian practices.
It is not necessary for a bishop to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation. It has become custom to do so in our Western Latin Church, but as mentioned above, Orthodox priests confirm all babies. Many times, our bishops in this country will delegate their priests to confer confirmation in the case of a bishop's busy schedule, or illness, or other circumstances as he sees fit. At this moment if time, having no bishop in our diocese, the Diocesan Administrator, Monsignor Myron Cotta has given permission to all pastors to confirm their own youth, unless the pastor declines, at which point Msgr. Cotta or someone he delegates will go to that parish to confirm. I have requested and received delegation from Msgr. Cotta to confirm at Our Lady of the Sierra Parish. I invite you all to pray for the children of our parish, recently having made their first confession, as they receive First Communion today. To our teens who will be confirmed at the same Mass (11:30am), our support and love at this important stage of their Christian development.
Second Offering Today
Today is known as Catholic Charities Weekend in the Diocese of Fresno. On this day, all parishes will take up a second offering to assist our diocesan charities that gives financial and other helps to many thousands of people in our diocese.
Ireland 2012
As mentioned in earlier bulletins, I will lead a 11-day trip to Ireland next year, departing March 12th, that puts us in Ireland on St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, 2012 in the Republic of Ireland. We will have two informational meetings to answer questions regarding this tour for our parishioners. The gathering will be held at the noon hour on Tuesday, May 24th, and again in the evening at 6:00pm on the same day. Both will take place in the parish hall. If you are interested and not sure if you could go or might need more information to deal with any issues, please come and join us for this informational meeting.
Basque Events
Also many of you have asked when there are Basque events in the Valley. Last weekend we had our Basque festival in Fresno, at which I celebrated Mass. The next Basque festival is in Los Banos at the Fairgrounds next Saturday, May 21, beginning with Mass at 10am and followed by a Lamb BBQ, and then Basque folk dancing. All are invited, with this special spring weather, it will be a splendid way to spend a Saturday. Fr. Mike
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