It was the ordination anniversary of Father Pacocha, who baptized me. He passed on from this life into the realm of eternity last January, and on this anniversary, I reflect on his special role. He was there saying the words and leading the rite that would change me into a new creation as a child of God. It was wonderful that he could offer an important part of his priestly ministry to me on his ordination anniversary.
He served for many years as Pastor of St. Cornelius. In retirement, he continued to assist with celebrating Mass on weekends at nearby St. Eugene Church. I also remember encountering him years after my baptism when he offered a blessing to my grandparents for their Golden Wedding Anniversary following the Saturday evening Mass on their anniversary date, Saturday, July 2, 2005. He came to the party after the Mass and spoke a blessing over the meal. In these examples with our family, he was truly a dedicated servant to so many.
Baptism follows a rite, and it speaks to the power of words that bring God's presence alive. I thought about that reality last week when, for the first time in my life, I served in thw role of Confirmation sponsor. Back in February, when I arrived for RE class, William, one of my students, approached me before class started and asked if I would be his sponsor. I had been wanting for years to take on this year, and after spending 13 years involved in RE and investing in young people, my dream of being a sponsor took shape.
As part of the Confirmation Mass, the sponsor approaches the Bishop with the candidate to present him/her. There was something profound about walking up to the altar and, with my hand on William's shoulder, to stand before Bishop Garcia-Maldonado and pronounce the words, "Bishop, I present Jude." (William picked St. Jude for his Confirmation saint.) Saying those words would usher him into a new way of life as a Confirmed Roman Catholic. Standing right next to William, I could observe how Bishop Garcia-Maldonado placed the blessed oil on William's forehead to seal him with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, it was a great day of celebration for William, and also for me as I marked a Kairos moment in my faith journey of extending this gift of faith in support of someone else in specific way.
Reflecting on what happened 35 years ago and what happened last week, I see that there is great power to words that make God real in our lives, which is a special part of the sacramental life of the Church.
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