Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist

Very Reverend Chad Wilhelm, Uncle Eric, and Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila, D.D. (back row) pictured with Angelina in front of the altar at the Cathedral of St. Mary

On Friday, May 29th, 2009, Angelina recieved her sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. Our diocese gives these sacraments to third graders at the same Mass. Dash was in the first 'only third graders' group to receive his sacraments in this way. While some parents question the wisdom of this decision, it has been an easy adjustment for our family and most of our friends.

Some worry that after receiving both of these sacraments, the child will have no reason to continue religious education; they view Confirmation as 'the carrot' at the end of their child's high school years and 'the carrot' will help them stay involved in religious education through high school. My perspective is that you could think that at whatever point a child or adult has received both of these sacraments. How many parents decide, that after their 7th - 11th grade student has received the sacrament of Confirmation, the student is done with religious education at their parish and no longer needs to attend?? I was confirmed in the 7th grade. The next year, I was the only one to return to religious education classes. The truth is that we are never done learning ... whether we are confirmed in the third grade or as an adult through the RCIA process. It is also my opinion that parents need to take a leadership role in teaching their children the faith and teach that we are NEVER done learning about our Catholic faith.

Back to Friday .... the Mass at St. Mary's was beautiful and the kids were so excited and reverent at the same time. During the homily, the bishop spoke mainly to the kids; it was so fun to see them raise their hands to answer his questions without inhibition. He focused on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and how each of the gifts can be used in our lives for most of the homily. However, he also touched on the fact that as adults we don't know everything about our faith, and encouraged all of the kids to keep on learning and growing in their faith. Angelina's class at the Cathedral consisted of 21 third graders, and children from other parishes were also in attendance - a total of 41 received the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist.

Angelina chose her Uncle Eric (my third brother), as her sponsor for Confirmation. He will be a great role model for her as she grows in her faith. And, I am confident that he will be able to help her, if ever she asks for his guidance.

Eva with Uncle Eric, her sponsor

My mom, Angelina's Grandma Golden Acres, made her dress and veil. I had planned to do it myself, but the offer from my mom made my life much simpler. It is a beautiful dress and fit her so wonderfully (unlike store bought on my very thin 8yo). For this special occaission, and since she's my only girl as of right now, I made arrangements for her hair to be styled. It turned out so cute and she really appreciated this special treat.

Angelina with Grandpa and Grandma Golden Acres

My husband, Eric, and I with Angelina

The Mass was at 7p, so it was quite late by the time sponsor pictures and group pictures were taken (parents do not have much say in the scheduling, so we just made the best of it). Therefore, we didn't take many pictures of family at the church after Mass. Eric left shortly after the end of Mass with the boys to return to the hotel. All of our relatives, who were able to attend Mass, came over to our hotel room to hang out and take more pictures with Angelina.