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Hearings confirm partisan politics

19 Jul 2009 - Preaching the News for Sunday

Christ "broke down the dividing wall of enmity," we hear in the Letter to the Ephesians this Sunday. But confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor this week have not done the same, as divisions between Republican and Democratic panel members have been front and center. The week-long exchange is only partly about the fate of Sotomayor's nomination, who is widely expected to gain easy confirmation. But Democrats hope that Republican criticism of Sotomayor will alienate Latino voters, while conservatives are looking to use the Sotomayor hearings as a way to motivate their base. During a tough round of questioning from skeptical Republicans on Tuesday, Sotomayor said that she would not let ethnic or gender biases influence her decisions on the court. The appellate court judge backed away from her widely quoted "wise Latina" comments and the suggestion that ethnic identity might sway her decisions. "Our life experiences do permit us to see some facts and understand them more easily than others," she said. But the "law is what commands the result." Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) asked whether Sotomayor would agree with President Barack Obama's statement that suggested there was a place in judicial decision-making for "empathy" for certain disadvantaged groups. But Sotomayor flatly rejected that approach. "We apply law to facts," Sotomayor said. "We don't apply feelings." Source: Articles by Michael D. Shear for the Washington Post and David G. Savageand James Oliphant for the Los Angeles Times

Law judiciary committee nomination confirmation jon kyl us senate sonia sotomayor latinos supreme court us supreme court

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Senators confirm they are tired of confirming

30 Jan 2011 - Preaching the News for Sunday

In this Sunday’s second reading Saint Paul urges the faithful in Corinth to “consider your own calling.” Senior U.S. senators, complaining that a mushrooming number of time-consuming confirmation hearings are keeping them from other business to which they were called by voters, are negotiating to streamline the system and reduce the workload. At present some 1,400 presidential appointments are subject to time-consuming Senate confirmation, a system that has frustrated administrations of both parties, according to officials familiar with the discussions. The talks were set in motion by agreement of the two parties' top senators, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). "In the vast majority of instances,” said Reid, “the individuals nominated by the president are not controversial, but many have faced delays before assuming their positions. “These delays mean critical decision-makers are not in place,” Reid said. “And the delays make it harder to find qualified people--many great nominees simply cannot wait around for months as the stress and uncertainty affects their families." Source: An article by David Espo for the Associated Press

harry reid senate mitch mcconnell confirmation hearings

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Homily stories

24 Apr 2016 - Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C

WHEN MY DAUGHTER was asked why she wanted to be confirmed into the Catholic faith, she answered: “Because God needs me.” It wasn’t the answer her class had prepared or the Catechism teaches. I am not even sure it is quite theologically sound: Does God need anyone? Nevertheless, I don’t doubt that God relies on Hannah, who has Down syndrome, and others who don’t meet society’s standards of perfection to show us how woefully limited our perceptions of beauty, success, and happiness are. When God chose to pitch his tent and dwell among us, he turned the world upside down and inside out. In an eternal chain of transformation, God makes all things new. And that is where God’s need for Hannah comes in. People feel drawn to Hannah because she walks through the world with a confidence that she is perfect in God’s eyes. Instinctively, or more probably through the grace of God, she knows that, like God, it is good for her to pitch her tent and live among the rest of us. She is God’s ambassador to the Kingdom where all you need is love.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

confirmation Love

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Homily stories

24 Apr 2016 - Fifth Sunday of Easter, Cycle C (sample issue)

sample issue Testimonial: “Theology is great, homily stories are fantastic.” ~ Dn. Ron, Brentwood, CA WHEN MY DAUGHTER was asked why she wanted to be confirmed into the Catholic faith, she answered: “Because God needs me.” It wasn’t the answer her class had prepared or the Catechism teaches. I am not even sure it is quite theologically sound: Does God need anyone? Nevertheless, I don’t doubt that God relies on Hannah, who has Down syndrome, and others who don’t meet society’s standards of perfection to show us how woefully limited our perceptions of beauty, success, and happiness are. When God chose to pitch his tent and dwell among us, he turned the world upside down and inside out. In an eternal chain of transformation, God makes all things new. And that is where God’s need for Hannah comes in. People feel drawn to Hannah because she walks through the world with a confidence that she is perfect in God’s eyes. Instinctively, or more probably through the grace of God, she knows that, like God, it is good for her to pitch her tent and live among the rest of us. She is God’s ambassador to the Kingdom where all you need is love.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

confirmation Love
Who's listening?

23 May 2010 - Solemnity of Pentecost, Cycle C

In Catholic churches, most of the adults in the pews have, at one time or another, chosen a Confirmation name. Do they ever think of themselves in regard to that name? Does the name carry any spiritual meaning for them today? At the time of their confirmation preparation they were invited to choose a name that captured something of their spiritual quest. Have they been true to that quest? Have the hopes of those days borne fruit in their lives? What would it take to tap into that same spiritual energy that prompted them to choose that name in the first place? What name would they choose today?

confirmation name

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Offer a challenge to young people

Short essays about observed trends in Roman Catholic life - Pastoral trends

What happened to your confirmation class last year? Did they “graduate” to adult roles and responsibilities in your parish, or did they simply “graduate” and process out of the church, once and for all? For how many of our teens does confirmation become a sacrament of exit rather than fulfilling its promise as a sacrament of initiation? Is this the outcome we really want? If not, youth work has to focus on three things, three things it often does only unevenly. As scholar Carol Lytch points out, it needs to provide a sense of belonging, offer tools with which to build meaning, and develop competencies. Catholic youth ministry often does the first fairly well but fails to give challenging tools to young people to build meaning in their lives based on Catholic teaching and tradition. Pizza, sports, and movie nights can help build belonging but hardly build disciples. And competencies are not developed without creating roles and hard expectations for young people. The reason our young people often leave after Confirmation, perhaps, is that they are not being challenged. Maybe the place to start would be with Confirmation itself. Is Confirmation offered as a culturally Catholic milestone in the life cycle, a kind of Catholic “graduation” exercise that will be given to all who ask? Or is Confirmation a challenge, a worthy “first job” that will only be given to those who are truly ready and responsible? Do we even care? Which option resonates most with pastors? With the religious education program? With the parents? What do we really want from the next generation?

Authors Bryan Froehle

young people youth minstry teenagers confirmation

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Homily stories

10 Dec 2017 - Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle B

Jennifer was the No. 1 name given to newborn girls every year from 1970 to 1984, resulting in more women named Jennifer in the United States than there are people in the state of Montana. Growing up, I usually had two to four classmates who shared my name, and we would negotiate at the start of every school year who would go by “Jennifer,” “Jenny,” “Jen,” or some other nickname. While I think my name is pretty, I hate how common it is. Therefore, as I prepared for the sacrament of Confirmation in my early teens and researched potential Confirmation names, I was going for unique. Faustina and Perpetua were tempting, but I settled on Veronica. My initial criteria may have been superficial, but I choose Veronica for the right reasons—her story inspired me. Nothing is known about her except for one spontaneous moment of overwhelming compassion—when she broke through the crowd during Christ’s Passion to wipe his face with her veil. I was moved by the idea that a whole life could be defined and immortalized by a single act of loving service, which was in keeping with what I was learning about Confirmation: that in the completion of baptismal grace, the gift of the Holy Spirit sends this Jennifer out into the world with a mission.

Authors Jennifer Tomshack

names confirmation

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Homily stories

19 May 2024 - Solemnity of Pentecost, Cycle B

As a youth minister, I taught teens about that oft-overlooked third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. How else to prep them for the sacrament of Confirmation, after all? Many have called Confirmation a “mini-Pentecost,” each of us receiving the Spirit in a way similar to the disciples in the Upper Room. But as the bishop says in the Confirmation rite, we’re “sealed” with the gift of the Holy Spirit—it’s not as if the Spirit hasn’t been with us all along. I remember my own early seeking of the Spirit, expecting something as dramatic as the Upper Room. I attended a Charismatic Catholic prayer meeting, hoping for a momentous experience, but what I found was people tenderly whispering “thank you, Jesus” over and over. I went to a hymn sing where Pentecostal attendees quite naturally sang with uplifted arms during very moving songs. I came to realize that the Holy Spirit is just as present in the lector at Mass whose voice cracks with emotion while proclaiming scripture. It’s what causes worshipers to interject “Amen!” with powerful preaching. The Spirit stirs in us any time we “let go and let God,” when we lead with our heart instead of our head.

Authors Mary Lynn Hendrickson

seeking the spirit sacrament of confirmation

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It’s time to unwrap your gifts

Funeral, Sacrament-based, Holy Day, Holiday, Special Occasion - Sample homilies to be adapted for your use

Sacrament: Confirmation I EXCITEDLY ripped the red Christmas paper off the large package my mom had placed in front of me. My jaw dropped in awe as I uncovered my favorite gift of all time: an Ohio State football helmet, complete with a jersey and football pants. My brothers shouted in excitement as they uncovered similar gifts. I realized I could enjoy the football gear not just by myself but also with them. Playing football in the backyard with my brothers was my favorite pastime, and these jerseys and helmets took it to the next level. To this day, they remain the best gifts I have ever received. The excitement and fun of those presents can never be replicated. Yet, I have received some spiritual gifts that, while I didn't unwrap them with the same outward joy and excitement, are infinitely more valuable. These gifts are the sacraments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that sacraments “are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ” (CCC 1131). In this context, efficacious means that it does what it signifies. If a sacrament were merely a sign, it would be like a “Please wash your hands” sticker. It tells you to wash your hands, but it doesn’t make you do so because it's just a sign. On the other hand, when a priest says the words of absolution with his hand outstretched over you, your sins are, in fact, forgiven. It is effective, or efficacious. Sacraments are holy mysteries through which God imparts grace for us to share in His divine life. We have been given these gifts, and we must unwrap them so that they might fully benefit us. The sacraments are signs that not only direct us where to go but also show us that God is already here, in our midst, ever present, as close to us as our next breath. And now today, you make your Confirmation. Like my childhood gift that wasn’t just something for me, but also to share with my brothers, Confirmation will strengthen you for a greater purpose. It will empower you to live out your baptized faith with the support of the Holy Spirit. Through your Confirmation, you will receive the gifts of the Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and awe. Confirmation will strengthen you for a greater purpose. It will empower you to live out your baptized faith with the support of the Holy Spirit. Through your Confirmation, you will receive the gifts of the Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and awe. Scripture outlines the important connection between Baptism and Confirmation. The apostles would pray for the new believers “that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:14-17). Then they would “place their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” This act of “laying on hands” is what will happen today, as the bishop anoints you. You will receive the Holy Spirit and all the spiritual gifts you need to live a life in Christ—to be a good person, a kind person, a loving person, a forgiving person, a wise person. Confirmation is one of the sacraments of initiation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist, that lays the foundation of our spiritual life. Through these three sacraments we receive God’s grace, that is, God’s many gifts and blessings, and partake in God’s divine life. As you grow in faith, remember the gifts you have received today. Don’t leave them unwrapped; instead carry them with you constantly—just like you would a favorite gift—just like I did with that Ohio State helmet. When you are worried or troubled, remember that the Holy Spirit has given you the gift of fortitude. The spirit will help you be brave and strong and make wise choices. Who wouldn’t want to unwrap such wonderful gifts! And as followers of Jesus, today confirmed in your faith, you will want to share these gifts with others. You will want to be a sign to others of Christ’s love. The divine life that flows through you is meant to be given to others. That’s what is so special about the sacrament of Confirmation. It gives you the strength and confidence to talk about your faith to others and spread to the Good News of God’s love. It’s time to open the gifts of your Confirmation. Let Christ transform you through this sacrament to bring his light to the world and become who God is calling you to be.

Authors Joseph Peach

sacrament confirmation

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