When I got back from my recent travels I jumped back into my
ministry here in the Diocese of Mendi.
On successive weekends I had the opportunity of celebrating the
Sacrament of Confirmation in two of our parishes. The first weekend I went to Det. It is about an hour and a half’s drive out of
Mendi. Currently, there is no parish
priest there, but Sister Monika-Pia of the Swiss Franciscan Sisters has kept
things going in a wonderful way. The
catechists too are to be commended for preparing the Confirmation class for
their big day.
The following weekend I went to Saint Michael the Archangel
Church in Tente. The Tente Parish is
just on the outskirts of Mendi town. Fr
John Wenambo is the parish priest in Tente.
Both celebrations were very joyful occasions for the whole
community. They are signs of life and
hope.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of
Initiation – together with Baptism and Holy Eucharist. In Baptism we become children of God and are
given a share in the mission of Jesus to announce the Good News. In Confirmation we receive all the gifts of
the Holy Spirit that we need to set out on that mission. And in Holy Eucharist we receive the Food
that strengthens us to be more like Jesus and to follow His example.
I really enjoy going to a parish to celebrate the Sacrament
of Confirmation with the young people of our various communities. It gives me a great opportunity to tell them
personally how important they are to the church and their parish communities
and families. Here in Papua New Guinea,
as in other places, there are many distractions vying for the attention of our
young people. The church can help give
them a way of finding meaning and true purpose in life.
"Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth!"
