Celebration
of the
Sacrament of Confirmation
Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral
Broome
2006
Celebrant:Bishop Christopher Saunders
Concelebrants: Fr. Daniel Chama, Fr. Richard Tomelty
Introduction: Mrs Margot Morcombe
We would like to welcome you all to this evening’s special celebration. Our Bishop, Christopher Saunders, will be ministering the Sacrament of Confirmation and concelebrating will be Father Daniel Chama and Father Richard Tomelty.
We welcome with the greatest joy those whose Baptism will be completed tonight. In our procession the Word will be carried in our midst and also the Holy Chrism – the oil with which the candidates will be anointed by our Bishop. The staff of St. Mary’s is present to celebrate this joyous occasion with our families.
Please stand and join in the opening hymn – ‘Gather your people’.
Procession
The Bishop and Priests process to the altar.
Representatives from St. Mary’s College lead the procession with the Cross, the Book of the Word (XXXX???) and the Sacred Oils (XXX???) to be used for Confirmation.
Greeting and welcome by Bishop Christopher
PENITENTIAL RITE:
Bishop: God our Father in Heaven, bless this water which comes from our country. It gives life to all living things. John the Baptist used water from the Jordan River to baptise Jesus. We ask you now to bless this water and wash away the sins of all of us here present and fill us with your life and love.
We now have the blessing and sprinkling with holy water – this replaces the Penitential rite.
Opening prayer:
God of power and mercy, send your Holy Spirit to live in our hearts and make us temples of his glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. All: Amen
Pentecost readings – (page 585)
Ist reading: Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11 (XXXX???)
Responsorial Psalm: Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
2nd reading : St. Paul to the Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13 (XXXX???)
Alleluia, Alleluia:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia.
Gospel: John 20:19-23
Rite of Confirmation: (Immediately after the Gospel)
Fr Daniel:Would those to be confirmed please stand.
Fr Daniel: Our Lady Queen of Peace parish community wishes to present to you these candidates who have been prepared to receive the fullness of Christian Initiation in the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is my privilege to present them to you.
Bishop Saunders: Do you judge them to have been prepared to receive the sacrament?
Father Daniel: Yes, I believe with the help of their parents and teachers that they are suitably prepared.
Bishop Saunders: I accept these candidates for full initiation into the Church. (Acclamation).
(Candidates please be seated)
Homily: Bishop Saunders
Renewal of Baptismal Promises
Father Daniel: I now invite the candidates to stand.
Bishop Saunders: Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation. You received the light of Christ when you were baptised. On that day when you were welcomed into the Christian community, your parents or Godparents made promises for you. Now you are old enough to speak for yourselves, so today you have the opportunity of reaffirming your baptismal promises.
Celebrant:Do you reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises?
Candidates: I do
Celebrant: Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?
Candidate:I do
Celebrant:Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Candidates: I do
Celebrant: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who came upon the apostles at Pentecost and today is given to you sacramentally in Confirmation?
Candidates:I do
Celebrant:Do you believe in the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?
Candidates:I do
Celebrant:This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
All:Amen
(Candidates remain standing)
Laying on of hands
Bishop Saunders: My dear friends, in baptism God our Father gave
the new birth of eternal life to his chosen sons and daughters. Let us pray to our Father that he will pour out the Holy Spirit to strengthen his sons and daughters with his gifts and anoint them to be more like Christ, the Son of God.
(Bishop Saunders and Father Daniel will extend their hands over the candidates)
All powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life. Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide. Give them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgement and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:Amen
(Candidates – please be seated)
The anointing with Chrism
Father Daniel: The candidates, accompanied by their sponsors, will come individually to be anointed by the Bishop with the oil of Chrism. They will notify the Bishop of the Confirmation name they have chosen. This name is a name of a saint whose example they will endeavour to follow. The sponsor will place their right hand on the candidate’s right shoulder as a sign of support.
(Quiet reflective music)
The Bishop makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of the candidate to be confirmed saying “…… be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Candidate: “Amen”
Bishop Saunders:“Peace be with you” (as he touches the cheek of the newly confirmed.)
Candidate:“And also with you”
(The newly confirmed and sponsor return to their seat)
Prayers of the Faithful
Bishop Saunders: My dear friends: Let us come to our God in prayer, inspired by the Holy Spirit who has sealed these young adults forever with his divine gift.
Reader: (XXX???)
We pray for our Pope Benedict, Bishop Christopher and all church leaders. May they continue to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and have the courage to spread the Good News.
Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Reader: (XXXX???)
We pray for our world. May all people allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit into their hearts and minds so God's love will grow and peace will reign.
Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Reader: (XXX???)
We pray for our Parish community. Help us to continue to become the people you intended us to be by being understanding, strong and humble towards other human beings.
Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Reader: (XXX???)
We pray for all who have been confirmed by the gift of the Spirit, that the Spirit of right judgement and courage may strengthen them in the years ahead.
Lord hear us
All: Lord Hear our Prayer
Reader: (XXX???)
We pray for our parents, sponsors, and friends. Grant that their love and example will continue to guide and inspire us as we continue our faith journey. Lord hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Offertory song: ‘Come O come Holy Spirit’
Offertory Procession (XXX???, XXX???)
Communion songs: ‘Let the love of God enfold you’
‘The spirit song’
Prayer after Communion
Bishop Saunders: Lord may the Eucharist you have given us influence our thoughts and actions. May the Spirit guide and direct our lives. Grant this through Christ, Our Lord. Response: Amen.
(The newly confirmed receive their certificate and chain/cross)
(The congregation sits.)
(The newly confirmed face the congregation)
Blessing Song: (Father Daniel)Please stand and hold your hands over the newly confirmed as we sing the Blessing Song.
Bishop Saunders:God our Father made you his children by water and the Holy Spirit: may he bless you and watch over you with His Fatherly love. All: Amen
Bishop Saunders:Jesus Christ the Son of God promised that the Spirit of truth would be with His church forever: may He bless you and give you courage in professing the true faith. All: Amen
Bishop Saunders:The Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples and set their hearts on fire with love: may he bless you, keep you one in faith and love, and bring you to the joy of God’s kingdom. All: Amen
Bishop Saunders:May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
All:Amen
Processional song: ‘Bless the Lord’
(The Confirmation students lead the procession out of the Church)
MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT BE YOUR GUIDE
AND HELPER
ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIVES
“Go out to all the world and tell the Good News”
Congratulations
to our newly Confirmed Candidates
Thomas Beech / Jack BrockwayJayden Edgar / Lorrienne Gannon
Sarah Greechan / Koiki Hamaguchi
Rowan James / Chaumani Maher
Baillie Millar / Adele Oliver
Dane Pigram-Matsumoto / Rebecca Pioli
Niccolo Pioli / Danielle Sibosado
Mariah Tolentino / Sarah Treacy
Ariana Varischetti / Shannon Warnock
Thomas Mc Cord
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