On Thursday, March 14, RocKenRo welcomes the Most Reverend David Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, for the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to the youth of our grouping. It’s our first major liturgy to be shared by all the RocKenRo faithful, so I ask you to enter into it in a spirit of prayer, gratitude, and cooperation.
As with a family Thanksgiving dinner—or maybe more like an extended family reunion—the goal is not to treat everyone identically, but rather for each to contribute according to what makes the shared effort work. For this first RocKenRo liturgy, the special burden falls on the faithful of St. Malachy, our largest church, to be hosts. Therefore:
Parking: St. Malachy parishioners have obtained permission from their neighbors to park cars in their lots. Knights of Columbus from both parishes will be on hand to direct parkers; please follow their instructions. They’ll try to clear drop-off points at the school gym (for candidates and sponsors) and the church. I ask especially the families from St. Malachy, who are more familiar with the properties, and all able-bodied persons, to park in the more remote lots first, leaving the closer spaces for guests from other parishes and for the infirm. The entire upper lot will be reserved for the disabled. If you are bringing guests beyond your immediate family, please try to car-pool.
Seating: Many pews will be reserved for the candidates and their sponsors. Other guests will seat themselves in unreserved pews. If you arrive early, please move to the interior of the pew and make space for latecomers. If at any point you are uncomfortable, sick, or otherwise need to be in a different space, you are welcome downstairs (below the church) to Weirauch Hall, where there will be refreshments and a live video feed of the ceremony.
Video and photo: Professionals have been retained to capture audio, video, and still photographs of the ceremony. These will subsequently be made available to parents of the candidates. Your respective directors of religious education will notify you as to how you may obtain the images.
The root word of “confirmation” is “firm,” indicating that the Sacrament is intended to strengthen us in our baptismal identity, especially in the face of hardship or persecution. Thus in decades past, the confirming Bishop slapped the newly confirmed in the face as a prelude to the hardships expected for the maturing Christian. Let us give evidence of the grace of the Sacrament by persevering in faith and charity through all the changes and challenges faced by our local Church.
—Fr. Dave
