Today is the first of three Sacrament Masses for the parish of Saint Mary Magdalene. The second two will take place next week. We will have many children, teenagers, and a few adults receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. This is a common practice at this time of the year in the Catholic Church. You might begin to see on social media pictures of children receiving the sacraments.

Here in the Diocese of Phoenix, we do the Restored Order. This is where in 3rd Grade, children receive both the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion in the same liturgy. The Restored Order has been part of the Diocese of Phoenix since 2005. The above link will explain the reasoning why Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted make the change 14 years ago.

As one who received the Sacrament of Confirmation as a seventeen year old, I love that children are now given the grace of Jesus Christ at a younger age. The Sacrament of Confirmation helps with decision making and the Lord knows I could have better decisions between 3rd Grade and Junior year of high school. If you are unfamiliar with the restored order, read about it above.

Since this is my first year overseeing this program as the Director of Family Catechesis, I implore all my readers to please pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and 1 Glory Be for everyone that will receive the sacraments this week. I also ask you to pray for the conversion of heart for the parents of many of our children. A battle we fight, it’s fought everywhere and at most parishes, is that parents bring their children to receive the sacraments, but they don’t take them to Mass on Sunday nor do they practice the faith at home. Please pray that they will see the importance of knowing and practicing their own Catholic faith. Thank you.

Our Lady Help of Christians…Pray for Us

Saint John Bosco…Pray for Us  

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