Eleven young people were blessed to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and eight received First Communion during Archbishop Richard Smith’s April 6-7 weekend visit to the rural Catholic family of parishes for Daysland, Heisler and Killam.
In his Sunday homily, Archbishop Smith commented on how the renewal of baptismal promises that is integrated into the liturgy for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation is significant not just for those candidates being confirmed, but for all Christian faithful.
“First, our candidates will be asked . . . “Do you reject Satan, and all his works, and all his empty show?’ In other words, do you, in your thoughts, actions, choices, relationships, and so on say “No!” to all that is evil and contrary to the love of God? To this we all readily reply, ‘I do!’”
“However, we know from experience that we often get this backward,” Archbishop Smith said. “There are many times in our lives when our actions show that we are saying “no” to God and “yes” to Satan. It is important to acknowledge this, because [rejection of God and his Commandments is] the reason our world is in such disarray.”
During his weekend visit, Archbishop Smith – alongside parish pastor Fr. Danial DSouza SAC – celebrated a Mass with each of the three parish communities in the southeast region of the Archdiocese.
The Archbishop also prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet with each parish, in honour of the Feast of Divine Mercy April 7.
“This is Divine Mercy Sunday, a day established by St. John Paul II, who wanted in this way for the whole Church to reflect upon God’s great mercy toward us, the assurance of which was communicated in a special way to Saint Faustina,” Archbishop Smith said.
“The “yes” we give to God embraces our awareness that we are in constant need of mercy, and our confidence that, when we are truly repentant for the many ways we instead say “no” to Him, God will surely send us the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of our sins.”
Additionally, Archbishop Smith shared several meals with parishioners and visited Providence Place in Daysland and the Killam Health Care Centre where he met with residents and offered the Sacrament of the Sick to those in need.
Read Archbishop Smith’s full homily from Divine Mercy Sunday.
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Jenny Connelly – Archdiocese of Edmonton