Confirmation Spectacular
More than 300 youth from across the Diocese of Evansville gathered Feb. 7 at St. Joseph Parish Center in Jasper for an afternoon of reflection and discernment centered on the sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Charles C. Thompson celebrated Mass to close the 2015 Confirmation Spectacular.
“We are called to be people of action,” Bishop Thompson said in his homily. “Jesus calls us to be missionary disciples.”
After registration and a live music performance by Craig Gehlhausen, the youth gathered in Kundek Hall to hear Diocese of Evansville seminarian Tyler Tenbarge, who gave the opening talk. Using a few interactive activities and stories, he explored the section of the Catechism that discusses the graces we receive during the sacrament of Confirmation.
Two breakout sessions followed Tenbarge’s talk – one on Discipleship and another on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Speakers included Daughter of Charity Sister Virginia Ann Brooks, Craig Gehlhausen, Anna Schulten, Hannah Sitzman, Mary Kaye Falcony, Becky Siewers, Carley Knapp and Deacon Mike Seibert. Speakers used their gifts, talents, and life experiences to share deeper information on the sacrament of Confirmation, and on ways the young people can live out their gifts for the glory of God.
Diocesan Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Steve Dabrowski gave the closing talk. He shared his experiences of Confirmation and his story of conversion, encouraging youth to respond to God’s call in their lives.
Bishop Thompson concelebrated Mass with two of the diocese’s newest priests – Father Benny Chacko, appointed Jan. 28 as Associate Pastor of Evansville’s Good Shepherd Parish, and Father Biju Thomas, Associate Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Huntingburg, also made Jan. 28. Father Chackio and Father Thomas have come to the Diocese of Evansville from India.
The Mass readings focused on suffering – first through the eyes of Job, then in the hope of Peter’s mother-in-law, who was healed in the Gospel reading. Bishop Thompson asked all in attendance to join the first national day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking, which was held Feb. 8. “(Human trafficking is) something that happens worldwide,” he said.
As Christians, we are all called to reach out to those experiencing suffering in their lives, and we receive many graces in Confirmation to help us on our way. “All of us sometimes feel some sense of hopelessness,” Bishop Thompson said, “but we are also aware of the many graces and blessings we have in our lives.”
