In the heavy torrential rains that lashed Mumbai last week for three days, Fr. Joe went all the to speak to the students of confirmation of IC Church, Borivili. One could see the youth who were going to receive confirmation. which is "A rite of initiation in
several Christian denominations, normally
carried out through anointing, the laying on of hands, and prayer,
for the purpose of bestowing the Gift of the Holy Spirit." . In
Christianity, confirmation is seen as the sealing of the covenant created in Holy Baptism. In the Roman Catholic Church, confirmation
"renders the bond with the Church more perfect", because,
while a baptized person is already a member, "reception
of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal
grace". wade through the heavy downpour towards the primary school hall where the seminar was held. Surely thinking in their mind of another one of those talks...
However the 168 students were spell bound as Fr. Joe conducted the program so delicately that he touched on each and everyone, not with a power point presentation or just a one way talk, but included group sessions, personal experiences of two of his young addicts, feed back from the youth and contemplative prayer. This programme was held under the dynamic leadership of the Parish Priest and Spiritual leader Rev. Fr. Barthol Barretto of IC church, and 24 animators that have worked round the year grooming these candidates for confirmation. At the end of the programme, one could see the youth going back with much enlightenment on Addiction, promising themselves not to dabble with drugs and also other addictions like pornography and not so good habits in life.
Collage & Report
Newsdesk
