March 19, 2024

Sacred Heart youth receive sacrament of Confirmation

Bishop Martin Amos from the Diocese of Davenport conferred the sacrament of Confirmation on 28 youth from Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colfax on Saturday, April 6, at Sacred Heart.

Throughout the year, the youth prepared for the sacrament by attending weekly faith formation sessions at the parish, participating in works of Christian service, meeting with their sponsors for spiritual guidance and support and worshipping weekly at Sunday Mass.

Last fall, the confirmation candidates from both parishes attended an overnight retreat at the State 4-H Center in Madrid. During the retreat, directed by staff and volunteers from the parishes, the youth prayed together, reflected on their Catholic identity and experienced team-building on the camp’s Challenge Course.

Confirmation is one of the sacraments of initiation in the Catholic Church. During the celebration the candidates renew their baptismal promises and the Bishop anoints each of them on the forehead with holy chrism oil saying, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”