I had no idea what to think when our confirmation mass was approaching. This was the first sacrament that I was going to receive because of me, because I was intentional about my faith. All the other sacraments I received because my parents told me to. So, this was a different feeling. I had heard of different people having different experiences at confirmation. Some people said they had a powerful life changing experience during the mass, while others said they didn’t feel any different. All I knew for certain was that I was ready to be confirmed. I was in love with my Catholic faith and I just had a thirst and a longing to deepen my faith and have a better understanding of what it means to be Catholic. By no means did I have all the answers or know everything about Catholicism, but I had that thirst and that love for the faith that I had gotten to understand in a better way that past year in the Den. When that Thursday rolled around, I was beyond excited (even though I was a tiny bit late). The class of 2017 was j chillin’ in the family room while we were waiting for Cardinal Dinardo to come give us his pregame speech. Somehow my buddy Michael Meneghetti and I found ourselves sitting in the front of the church with our sponsors, which was pretty sketch because I felt like everyone was staring into my soul, including Jesus.. Anyways, God being the awesome God that he is decided to mix a little foreshadowing into the mix. Eileen and I were asked to deliver the gifts during the mass (which is where usually a family takes up the bread and the wine to the alter before it becomes the body and blood of Christ- but yall should already know that because Kathleen covered it in the class over the Mass ;) ) As I was walking up to the Cardinal to be confirmed I had never felt more at home, this is where I was meant to be. I stood in front of the Cardinal Dinardo with my sponsor’s hand on my shoulder as I became a fully initiated Catholic. Like I said I didn’t know what to expect. It wasn’t really a big conversion moment for me. That’s probably because confirmation to me was more of a yearlong process. A lot happened in that year from Steubenville to the Den and it all came together that day as I was sealed with the Holy Spirit. I like to think of confirmation as one huge, important “Amen”. It’s a “yes I believe” to being Catholic. You’ve been taught for a long time about being Catholic and what that entails, now it’s up to YOU not anyone else to say “Amen” to your faith. Confirmation has been one of my favorite sacraments and I am very excited to see yall get confirmed. A little side story for those of you who made it this far lol. After the mass at the reception, I was chillin’ with my pops eating my confirmation cake with a smile on my face after getting that signature pic with Cardinal Dinardo. I see my mom approach us with something in her hand. In a hushed voice and in Spanish she hands me a napkin and tells me “Paulo, your forehead is so oily! Wipe it really well with this napkin”. My dad and I kind of stood there speechless staring at my mom who saw the Cardinal put the oil on my forehead with her own eyes. I had to take a moment and walk away as my dad explained to my mom why my forehead was so oily lol. Anyways I thought that was funny. Peace out! Paulo “the Real” Leal
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Sometimes you don’t know what you’re missing ‘til you have it. There are many cases in which that statement is true, but for me it became reality on my confirmation faith journey. At the start of my junior year I didn’t have much faith, and I never really went to mass. So, when the start of faith formation came around it seemed as more of a hassle than anything else. I would go to class really just because mama told me to not because I wanted to learn more about my faith, a problem in which many people face, at one point in their faith journey. As classes came and went week by week, I would retain some information but not enough to change who I was. Before I knew it, the retreat was here, there had been a lot of hype surrounding this trip, but I personally had no idea what to expect. Fast-forward to Saturday night, that experience is one that I will never forget. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit came down and touched me, through the love felt that night. I think that it is crazy to think that I would feel such a presence even where I was in my faith. All this says and proves is that no matter where you are at with your relationship with God he’s always waiting for you to comeback. After that night, and trip I began a slow process of learning and growing in my faith. Leading me to make the decision to go on a weekend conference in downtown or otherwise known as AYC; at this conference, I met some amazing, one who which invited me to bible study following the trip. After that first time at bible study I knew I had something special in this church, so many people inside who genially care about each student and person who enters those doors. From Joey, to Eric (and all the catechists) and even the senior helpers want nothing but the best for everyone inside that perish. Through my journey at Epiphany I have not only met some amazing adults, but have met some amazing lifelong friends. So, in conclusion I challenge each of you to go out on a limb, get uncomfortable for Christ, and I promise he won’t disappoint. Epiphany has so many options for everyone to get involved and find out what they’re missing. “Cradle Catholic”- the phrase used to describe people who were raised Catholic because their parents were Catholic, so it only makes sense that they are Catholic too. They go through their baptism, first reconciliation, and first communion because well their parents are Catholic, so again it only makes sense. I always considered myself Catholic, and it wasn’t until my sophomore year when I first started turning my back on my faith and God, it was the one point in my life where I didn’t know if I would consider myself a Catholic. My sophomore year of high school my Uncle was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Esophageal cancer is a rare form of cancer that is located in the esophagus. He was 37 years old, had two young kids, and had just landed his dream job- I couldn’t comprehend why such an incredible man would get such an awful disease. I started wondering why God would do this to my family, but I still remained hopeful. I would pray every night, asking God to just heal my Uncle. Then on July 7, 2014, only 7 months after his diagnosis, my Uncle lost his battle to cancer. When my parents told my brother and I, I was in a state of shock. When he passed away I slowly started turning my back on God. I was angry at him, confused on why He did this, and frustrated that He hadn't answered any of my prayers. I felt that since God didn’t seem to care about me, I wasn’t going to care about him. This attitude went on for about a year, until my friend Kelly Gesoff bribed me to go to Steubenville over the summer with the youth group. When i say bribe, I mean she basically said we were going to the Grand Canyon, so of course I wasn’t going to pass that up. I had no idea what I was about to experience, and it was honestly life changing. At Steubenville I had the opportunity to experience adoration for the first time. During adoration I felt God’s love for me for the first time in over a year and it was such a relieving feeling. I felt all the pain and anger I had been holding in for so long wash away. After Steubenville I got involved with every possible thing at the church, and made some incredible friends, who I don’t know what I would do without. My faith journey still has a long way to go, but I am so grateful that I am on it. I was in the dark for a year, and it was one of hardest times of my life. I admit I still have bad days, but turning towards God with my problems instead of away from Him is so nice. Everyone goes through different obstacles in life, and everyone has their ups and downs, but instead of shutting God out, we need to go to Him and lay all of our worries, problems, and concerns at His feet. God always has our backs, even when we cast him out. Ultimately, I am so thankful that after everything, I was able to find my way back. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 7 Reasons to Use Your Phone More This Lent - As published on lifeteen.com/blog by Dom Quaglia3/1/2017 Alright everyone, get your foreheads ready because Lent is coming! ‘Tis the season of ashes, sacrifices, singing anything but “Alleluia,” and the color purple. You can usually tell because all of the Catholic websites and media sources in the galaxy (including us here at Life Teen) are posting blogs about what to give up for Lent.
In this day and age, a popular suggestion will be to give up your phone. To be clear, I think that’s a great idea. Many of us are way too attached to our phones, social media, and the feeling of worth or attention we get from it. However, if you’re like me, simply cutting something out doesn’t always do the trick. For example, two Lents ago I gave up joy, sorry I mean sweets. That was, well… terrible. My places of travel that Lent included New Orleans, Disney World, and the Coca-Cola Museum. I was like a vampire who just won a free trip to Hawaii. I couldn’t enjoy any of it! I may as well have gone to CandyLand. Even though it was tough, I made it through to the other side. After Lent was over, I went back to smiling, sorry I mean eating sweets. Looking back, that sacrifice didn’t change me very much (other than helping me fit back into a nice pair of jeans). It didn’t really teach me a lesson or help me grow. It was just really difficult and then it was over. Approaching this Lent, I want to experience something different. Maybe you do, too. If giving up your phone doesn’t seem like a good option for you, I have another alternative in mind: Use your phone to do good. Sacrifice is good, and fasting is absolutely necessary. However, I worry that if we don’t learn to use things for the good of the Kingdom of God, we might be missing the boat. It’s the same with using your humor to glorify God, or using your body to glorify God, or using your music to glorify God – we can use our phones the same way. These might sound basic, but here are some suggestions of how to use your phone to do good this Lent. Warning: side effects may include deepening of friendships, growing in holiness, and seeing God in places you don’t usually notice Him.
Now these were just some suggestions. Hopefully this got your brain working on some cool ways you can use your phone a little differently this Lent. Who knows, you may end up forming a lifelong habit. Be God’s. |
AuthorYour confirmation teachers - Kathleen, Eric, Sophia, and Valerie, and with contributions from 410 alumni Archives
September 2021
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