Confirmation – Class 2019

May 12, 2019

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At St. Nicholas Tavelich parish in Winnipeg on May 10th, 2019 during the evening hours, Monsignor Richard Gagnon, Archbishop of Winnipeg, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to five confirmandi. At this festive occasion, during Mass, the Archbishop also baptized little Dominik, the seventh child in the Kvaternik family.

At the start, confirmandi Valentina welcomed the Archbishop in the name of the entire group and presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

Archbishop Gagnon – joyful at witnessing the youth – in his inspiring and simple homily, empowered the youth to have confidence in Jesus Christ, our saviour in the power of the Holy Spirit who is the link with God the Father. His Grace mentioned at the start that confirmation means standing up for Jesus Christ today; not fearing being Christ’s, not being ashamed of being a Christian, not being ashamed of making the sign of the cross, not fearing to say grace before a meal in public! Archbishop Gagnon touched on how each of us present were born twice. Once from our parents on a certain day in such and such a place, and the second time usually a few months later at the baptismal font in a church where we are born to Jesus. With that act we become a member of a large family, through that we are brothers and sisters and share the mystical body of Christ – Church. Together we share the great love and grace that we are Christ’s. The Archbishop also added that we must also grow spiritually. This is why we are confirmed. Baptism and confirmation are two sacraments that always go together. Confirmation is the fulfillment of baptism because we receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. At the end, Mons. Richard told the confirmandi that they should never stop praying to the Holy Spirit and that it is up to them how they will use the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

The homily was followed by the renewal of baptismal promises and conferal of the sacrament of confirmation to Emma, Valentina, Ben, Dario and Riley. At the end the Archbishop baptized little Dominik, the seventh child of Robin and Eugen Jr. Kvaternik. Our parish priest Marko had the honour and privilage to be little Dominik’s godfather.
In concelebration with the Archbishop was the parish priest Fr. Marko and Fr. Robert Laroche, OMI, pastor of St. Kateri Tekakwitha. The celebration was enriched with singing from the parish choir.

At the conclusion of holy mass the pastor thanked the Triune God who loves and cares for us unconditionally on this earth. He followed by thanking the Archbishop for accepting him 4.5 years ago into the Archdiocese of Winnipeg and for entrusting the spiritual guidance of the Croatian community of Winnipeg to him. Father Marko then wished the confirmandi that although many times we want to go “my way”, it is always the best to go Christ’s way, and to not forget that Jesus Christ is their best friend. He also thanked the Kvaternik family for their cooperation with the Lord in gifting life to Dominik and for showing that they are not afraid of life, to which he added – these are the families that our society needs. A big thank you went out to the catechism coordinator Marica and in particular to Belinda who prepared the confirmandi for their special day.

Following the Eucharistic celebration there were dainties and fellowship in the parish hall.

Marica

SEE GALLERY