Year-End Celebration

On Sunday, we held our annual Mass for Confirmation and sending forth. It was a time to celebrate and gather together, honoring the hard work and faithfulness of a great deal of students. And of course, here at the Newman Center, we show our appreciation through lots and lots of good food.

Bishop Cruz consecrating the bread and wine
into the Body and Blood of Christ

Firstly, we were graced by the presence of Bishop Manuel Cruz, the auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Newark, who came to celebrate Mass for us that fine evening. After Bishop Cruz gave a simultaneously humorous and enlightening homily that left the churchgoers with a profound message of the immeasurable love we should have for God, he asks the confirmandi (those who are candidates for the sacrament of Confirmation) a series of questions to renew their Baptismal Promises. Then, the church was sprinkled with holy water, and the sacrament was given.

The sacrament of Confirmation is the fulfillment of Baptism, where the recipient is now able to fully accept their faith. It is administered when a person is at an age where they are old enough to make their own decisions regarding whether or not they wholeheartedly believe in God and what the Church teaches; this point is called the age of reason. For some people, they choose to receive Confirmation at an earlier age, but for others, like the two who received the sacrament on Sunday, they go through a program called RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), which basically means that they prepare for their sacraments when they're older and feel more prepared. The really cool thing about Confirmation though is the awesome stuff that you get when you become confirmed. Once you say "yes" to your faith - once you confirm your beliefs - the Holy Spirit gives you all of these cool gifts that are totally useful. Now, they're not physical gifts but the spiritual kind, the type that we really need to get through the difficult times. We get some courage and wisdom, understanding and right judgment...just to name a few. So you can get why this sacrament is so awesome.

Bishop Cruz anointing a confirmand with Chrism oil

the graduates awaiting their gifts

After the confirmandi were confirmed, the Mass proceeded and then concluded with the distribution of gifts (physical ones this time) to the students that are graduating this year. Each received a lovely engraved Bible and a nice, personal piece of advice from Bishop Cruz. Special recognition and prayers were said for Joe Furnaguera, who is entering seminary in the fall.

Finally, after all the religious celebrations, it was time to feast. We had a huge buffet that included roast pig and jambalaya. Conversations were abound and laughs were heard everywhere as everyone enjoyed themselves immensely. It was a great evening and an amazing time spent with friends, family, and the entire community.