Dear Parishioners,
You might remember that last year I celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation for our then 7th and 8th grade students. This has not been the norm for our parish for a while; we were scheduled to go to Rosary Cathedral in Toledo for this, but with many concerns still present throughout the diocese about Covid, Bishop Thomas decided that it would be most prudent to cancel all of the multiple-parish Confirmation Masses at the cathedral. At that time, he also temporarily granted the faculty to all diocesan pastors to administer Confirmation on their parishioners. Since that time, I have received many questions as to why Confirmation is not celebrated here in our church more often. In this regard, I have heard much confusion based on misinformation, so I would like to offer a clarification.
In our diocese, parishes have the option to request the Bishop to come to administer Confirmation at their parish church, or to join with other parishes at the cathedral. Because the Bishop himself cannot be present for all of the many Confirmation Masses throughout the diocese, he delegates certain priests to help him with this task. Although last year was outside of our ordinary routine, kindly know that the current practice for our parish is to join other parishes at the cathedral. I prefer this, as did Fr. Poggemeyer, because it is a worthwhile experience for the confirmandi, their parents, and their sponsors. The beauty of our cathedral is something that everyone should experience, and there is much to learn even from the traditional artwork that adorns it. Additionally, it is valuable for the confirmandi, their parents, and sponsors to be at the cathedral with other parishes for the celebration of Confirmation. This helps everyone involved to concretely experience that our parish is part of a larger reality. That is, the parish is more than just the buildings, and our parish is one piece of the entire diocese.
On another note, mark your calendars because Lent is less than a month away! Ash Wednesday is February 22. Our Day of Grace in Paulding is on Wednesday, March 22 from 8:30 – 10:00 A.M., 12:00 – 2:00 P.M., and 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. Our Day of Grace in Payne will be Wednesday, March 29 from 8:30 – 10:00 A.M., 12:00 – 2:00 P.M., and 5:00 – 8:00 P.M.
Speaking of Lent, the Paulding Knights of Columbus have announced their Lenten Fish Fry Schedule. They will be serving lunch from 11:00 – 1:00 and supper from 4:00 – 7:00 on Feb. 3 and 24, and March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. Please invite your friends and come for a good meal!
Blessings,
Fr. Ammanniti
