dove in her nest. He hatches good desires and a pure soul, as
the dove hatches her young.” —St. John Vianney
Standing up for Christ: No small matter
On Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 10:00 am, Auxiliary Bishop
of Pittsburgh, William J. Waltersheid administered the
Sacrament of Confirmation to 25 young men and women
from St. Joseph Parish. Bishop Waltersheid was born
November 18, 1956 in Ashland, PA and ordained a priest
of the Diocese of Harrisburg on July 11, 1992. He was
named Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh on February 25,
2011 and consecrated on April 25, 2011. He was
appointed Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Secretary for
Clergy and Consecrated Life on April 26, 2011. He lived in
Rome for 11 years, as a student and as Vice Rector of
North American College, and speaks at least 6 languages.
He now resides at my favorite place, (next to the Consol
Energy Center, near Epiphany Church!)
of Pittsburgh, William J. Waltersheid administered the
Sacrament of Confirmation to 25 young men and women
from St. Joseph Parish. Bishop Waltersheid was born
November 18, 1956 in Ashland, PA and ordained a priest
of the Diocese of Harrisburg on July 11, 1992. He was
named Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh on February 25,
2011 and consecrated on April 25, 2011. He was
appointed Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Secretary for
Clergy and Consecrated Life on April 26, 2011. He lived in
Rome for 11 years, as a student and as Vice Rector of
North American College, and speaks at least 6 languages.
He now resides at my favorite place, (next to the Consol
Energy Center, near Epiphany Church!)
The Bishop is 5’2”, and has a beautiful singing voice,
which filled the rafters of our church. One parishioner
remarked, “I couldn’t see the Bishop, but I certainly could
hear him!” He was a breath of fresh air, and commented
that this was a grace filled day for the Church, the
Diocese, the Parish, the parents, the family and for the
Confirmation Candidates.
which filled the rafters of our church. One parishioner
remarked, “I couldn’t see the Bishop, but I certainly could
hear him!” He was a breath of fresh air, and commented
that this was a grace filled day for the Church, the
Diocese, the Parish, the parents, the family and for the
Confirmation Candidates.
Bishop Waltersheid’s homily was simple, sincere and
sound. His message was brief and to the point, hitting the
target right on; with few words, little fanfare and profound
clarity. He encouraged the young people to find their way
each Sunday to God’s house, because we are the body of
Christ. “The Church is everybody's spiritual home in the
neighborhood,” as the late Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop
of Chicago often said. Everyone of us needs to hear and
heed the Gospel message of Jesus Christ through their
respective vocation from God.
The Bishop stressed that each of the candidates has a
‘special and unique calling from God,’ and that some of
them would be called to serve the Church in ministry as a
priest, giving their lives in total sacrifice out of love,
mirroring Christ's love for his body, the Church. He said
that some of the young women would dedicate and
consecrate their lives to embrace the evangelical councils
of poverty, chastity and obedience, as brides of the
Church, giving ‘spiritual birth’ through the witness of their
lives. He then commented that many of them would
commit their lives in the holy Sacrament of Marriage to a
‘life-long commitment’ of fidelity, conjugal love and the
raising of a family in holiness, grace and love.
He encouraged the youngsters to avail themselves
regularly to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as it is the
‘key to discipleship.’ As the patron of parish priests, St.
John Mary Vianney said: “Put yourself on good terms
with God: have recourse to the Sacrament of
Penance; you will sleep as quietly as an angel.”
The Bishop highlighted the importance of prayer; spending
time with God to hear the voice within us, in a world that
‘special and unique calling from God,’ and that some of
them would be called to serve the Church in ministry as a
priest, giving their lives in total sacrifice out of love,
mirroring Christ's love for his body, the Church. He said
that some of the young women would dedicate and
consecrate their lives to embrace the evangelical councils
of poverty, chastity and obedience, as brides of the
Church, giving ‘spiritual birth’ through the witness of their
lives. He then commented that many of them would
commit their lives in the holy Sacrament of Marriage to a
‘life-long commitment’ of fidelity, conjugal love and the
raising of a family in holiness, grace and love.
He encouraged the youngsters to avail themselves
regularly to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as it is the
‘key to discipleship.’ As the patron of parish priests, St.
John Mary Vianney said: “Put yourself on good terms
with God: have recourse to the Sacrament of
Penance; you will sleep as quietly as an angel.”
The Bishop highlighted the importance of prayer; spending
time with God to hear the voice within us, in a world that
bombards us with much temptation, and challenges us in
many ways. We must be faithful first to God, through the
power of the Holy Spirit, our ‘best life-long friend.’ We
must work on that friendship our entire lives.
many ways. We must be faithful first to God, through the
power of the Holy Spirit, our ‘best life-long friend.’ We
must work on that friendship our entire lives.
As the Bishop administered the sacrament, he anointed
them with Chrism by sealing them on their foreheads with
the Sign of the Cross, confirming their Baptism, and
strengthening them to receive the fullness of the Spirit.
Anointing the forehead, the Bishop said, “Be sealed with
the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The newly confirmed
responded, “Amen.” The Bishop then said, “Peace be
with you.” The newly confirmed responded, “And with
your spirit.”
them with Chrism by sealing them on their foreheads with
the Sign of the Cross, confirming their Baptism, and
strengthening them to receive the fullness of the Spirit.
Anointing the forehead, the Bishop said, “Be sealed with
the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The newly confirmed
responded, “Amen.” The Bishop then said, “Peace be
with you.” The newly confirmed responded, “And with
your spirit.”
In lieu of shaking the hands of the Confirmation
Candidates and sponsors, the Bishop gestured with a slap
on the face, which means to get stronger spiritually, to be
a soldier of Christ, it’s spiritual warfare - a great battle
between good and evil. In Jesus, God brings good from
evil, success from failure, victory from defeat and life from
death. [May you have strength in your resolve to make
choices that lead you to witness to Christ, his Gospel and
the coming of his Kingdom.] The Bishop reminded the
young people that their actions speak louder than their
words ever will. They will know the fruits through their
deeds. A Christian must be a ‘living sermon’, whether or
not they preach a word. The Bishop’s hands were washed
with water, lemons and he also used stale bread to absorb
the Oil of Chrism.
Candidates and sponsors, the Bishop gestured with a slap
on the face, which means to get stronger spiritually, to be
a soldier of Christ, it’s spiritual warfare - a great battle
between good and evil. In Jesus, God brings good from
evil, success from failure, victory from defeat and life from
death. [May you have strength in your resolve to make
choices that lead you to witness to Christ, his Gospel and
the coming of his Kingdom.] The Bishop reminded the
young people that their actions speak louder than their
words ever will. They will know the fruits through their
deeds. A Christian must be a ‘living sermon’, whether or
not they preach a word. The Bishop’s hands were washed
with water, lemons and he also used stale bread to absorb
the Oil of Chrism.
The candidates were well-prepared by 8th Grade
Catechist, John Sambolt, who has been instructing young
people in our CCD program for 42 years. The Arts and
Environment Committee decorated the sanctuary simply
but stunningly, with red altar cloths, flowers and Holy Spirit
banners. I asked them to leave the banners in our
sanctuary for the Third Sunday of Lent liturgies, as they
remind us that God gives us strength for our weakness,
wisdom for our foolishness, direction for our drifting,
grace for our trials, love for our hate, peace for our
anxiety, plenty for our poverty, clarity for our
confusion, healing for our pain and light for our
darkness.
Catechist, John Sambolt, who has been instructing young
people in our CCD program for 42 years. The Arts and
Environment Committee decorated the sanctuary simply
but stunningly, with red altar cloths, flowers and Holy Spirit
banners. I asked them to leave the banners in our
sanctuary for the Third Sunday of Lent liturgies, as they
remind us that God gives us strength for our weakness,
wisdom for our foolishness, direction for our drifting,
grace for our trials, love for our hate, peace for our
anxiety, plenty for our poverty, clarity for our
confusion, healing for our pain and light for our
darkness.
Afterwards, the Bishop took pictures with the newly
confirmed in Healy Hall, where they were served red
punch and a delectable array of cookies. It was nice to
see different generations passing on the treasure of faith.
confirmed in Healy Hall, where they were served red
punch and a delectable array of cookies. It was nice to
see different generations passing on the treasure of faith.
Despite March’s mighty ‘lion’s roar’ and winter’s ice and
snow that descended that morning, after the hour-long
celebration of Confirmation, the warmth of the Holy Spirit
thawed and melted the cold morning into a new day of
newly committed disciples.
snow that descended that morning, after the hour-long
celebration of Confirmation, the warmth of the Holy Spirit
thawed and melted the cold morning into a new day of
newly committed disciples.
“Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, You are the Reward of the
saints, the Comforter of souls, Light in the darkness,
Riches to the poor, Treasure to lovers, Food for the
hungry, Comfort to those who are wandering; to sum
up, You are the One in whom all treasures are
contained.” —St. Mary Magdalene dei Pazzi.
