Seventy adults were confirmed on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, by His Excellency, Bishop Alfred A. Schlert at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown.
Among the participants were many young people who took the initiative to receive their final Sacrament of Initiation into the Church and others who helped lead others into the Church by serving as sponsors.
Seventeen-year-old Justin Fres, a member of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Bally, was among the Confirmandi. After having to stop his CCD program due to COVID lockdowns, he knew it was time to receive the final gifts of the Sacraments of Initiation and to be confirmed.
Fres believed it was a very "special day" to be confirmed, considering it was Pentecost. "The Holy Spirit comes upon you just like what happened to the apostles on Pentecost," he said.
Yet, Fres is not alone in wanting to take the final steps after years of waiting and discerning.
Recently graduated Allentown Central Catholic High School (ACCHS) senior and former quarterback Kyle Fleshman from St. Thomas More, Allentown, was confirmed with his close friend, Lucas Mushrush, as his sponsor. After receiving First Holy Communion as a child, Kyle attended the Swain School and did not pursue Confirmation.
Once he began attending Kairos retreats at ACCHS, he became more engaged with his faith, which ultimately led him to lead a retreat in his senior year. When asked about his decision to be confirmed, he credited the support of friends and mentors, such as Father Philip J. Maas and Sister Mathilde DeLucy, SCC, saying each of these influences "sort of pushed [him] to continue this journey of faith." Ultimately, a pivotal moment for him was receiving a letter from Father Maas after a retreat, encouraging him to get confirmed, which solidified his desire to take this step.
Mushrush stated his thoughts on being a sponsor to his friend saying, "We went to school together at Central Catholic. Not only have we taken theology classes together, but he's been my best friend over the last four years. Being by his side when he's taking a stride in his faith, it's a great moment for him, and it's an honor to be his confirmation sponsor."
The role of a Confirmation sponsor carries great significance. Jessy Severino, who sponsored his wife’s uncle Gabriel, reflects on what it meant to be asked to take on that responsibility.
"For me, it was truly an honor—especially for someone like Gabriel to ask me to be his sponsor—because it’s a reminder that we must always live out our faith to the fullest. Our faith should be our introduction and [should] represent us, because we never know who’s watching," explained Severino.
He recognizes that one can never know "the impact that you have on people by authentically being you, while living in the Lord's grace. It is a big responsibility to continue to strive for sainthood all the days of my life and [to] continue to lead others to the Lord."
If you or someone you know feels called to receive any of the Sacraments, contact your local parish to inquire about their sacramental preparation programs.
College students seeking the Sacraments are encouraged to reach out to Maggie Riggins at [email protected].
Photo by Ed Koskey.
