A New Pentecost
The Church was born on the day of Pentecost. Yet a local Church like a Parish is refreshed and renewed many times. When a section of the parishioners receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we have surely a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit over our Church in abundance. When our 42 youngsters receive this Sacrament of the growth of Christian life the grace flows over the whole Church of St. Sebastian, namely over every member of the Parish community.
From this perspective we will have another Pentecost in our Parish on May, 12 at 4 p.m. when the bishop will lay his hands on the our youngsters and pray over them annointing them with the oil of Chrism. The Spirit of the Lord comes down upon them and upon every member of the Parish family through them. It is a sacrament of community renewal and growth.
Christian life is not a one time event but it is a process of constant renewal and growth, progressing from Alpha to Omega, a continued Christification, a continued conversion and growth in holiness until we attain to transformation into Christ. And this is the work the Holy Spirit does within us and through us. Now as we prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation in our Parish let us all open our spirits to the Risen Lord through prayer and enlightened life. Let us pray for the candidates and their families. Let us be prepared like St. Peter to stand up before the crowds and proclaim that the Lord is risen and that He gives salvation to all those who turn to Him in faith and repentence.
Fr. Simpliciano N. Fernandes