CTK Annual Confirmation Rites for Forty Confirmands

The CTK parish, through its Catechetical Ministry, headed by Alma Yeh and Sheryl Coronel, held the annual Kumpilang Bayan, or 2018 Confirmation Rite, last November 17, Saturday, at 9 am at the main church. The confirmation rite was officiated by no less that our Most Reverend Bishop Raul Martirez. During his homily, Bishop Raul mentioned that Confirmation means receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is depicted, it is usually as a dove, explained Bishop Raul. But at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is henceforth described as ‘tongues of fire’ sitting atop the heads of the apostles and the other disciples.

After the homily, the forty confirmands were presented to Bishop Raul. The commentator, Catechetical Ministry co- head Sheryl Coronel said, ‘Rev. Bishop Raul Martirez, the parish of Christ the King Greenmeadows presents to you these young men and women who have prepared for and are now ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Bishop Raul then proceeded with the Renewal of Baptismal Promises by asking the confirmands:

‣  Do you reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises?

‣  Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

‣  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?

‣ 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?

‣ Do you believe in the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

To all these questions, the confirmands answered ‘I do’. Then, at the Laying of Hands, Bishop Raul prayed aloud, ‘All powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit, you freed your sons and daughters from sins 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 judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence.

Then the confirmands took their positions in the center aisle with their parents and godparents. For each one, Bishop Raul anointed their foreheads with chrism while saying, ‘Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.’ After all the confirmands had been anointed, they took their seats and the mass continued. The final list of confirmands included:

Sophia Alejar, Rain Arche, Jedric Bandong, Vanessa Blasabas, Josh Cariño, Arjee Cardinoza, Arleen Cardinoza, Samantha Cascalla, Alexandra Casco, Rayne Cortez, Tory Cortez, Lia Cua, Bia Ritz Duren, Jamilla Gaviola, Mary Ann Juan, Asrin Juinio, Marx Lee, Gyan Madayag, Ryan Madrazo, Ryan Magbanua, Catherine Magcamit, Charmaine Magcamit, John Malaya, Isabella Maloles, Daniella Mejia, Marjorie Ollete, Yvonne Ollete, Johnver Orpilla, Veronica Orpilla, Heaven Pactor, John Pactor, Jenie Pagdagdagan, Mariel Patente, Chrystal Querimit, Julian Querimit, Timothy Rodriguez, Kyle Torres, James Valenzuela, Jane Valenzuela, and Louise Mae Wee.

The confirmands, all 12 years old and older, had gone through seven Saturday afternoon catechism classes in preparation for their Confirmation, from September 22 to November 3. Doing the yeoman’s chore with the confirmands’ catechesis was Sonny Mejia, who taught most of the classes. Alma Yeh’s daughter Ivy Cheneva Yeh assisted with a few of the classes. Parents and godparents were also given a 3-hour catechetical seminar on the Sacrament of Confirmation and their roles in supporting the confirmands in their new life as young workers of Christ. The classes were characterized by lectures, slide shows, videos, reflections, sharing, and prayers.