Confirmation, 2008

Last night, we celebrated the Confirmation of 71 of our young people.

Bishop John Smith, of the Diocese of Trenton, came to celebrate the sacrament here at St. Anselm. It was the first time in almost 8 years that Bishop Smith celebrated the sacrament here at St. Anselm.

Today, many people stopped me and told me how happy they were with the way the celebrations went yesterday.

I was particularly happy with the energizing ways in which the Bishop interacted with the young people and their parents, godparents, and the many visitors who were here for the celebrations.

Next week, Bishop Smith will be very busy in helping to welcome Pope Benedict to our country. Bishop John will be part of the meetings with Pope Benedict in Washington, DC, and also in New York City.

I know that Bishop John will be asking the Pope to pray for and to bless the people of the Diocese of Trenton in the next few days.

It's my own personal prayer that next week is a time for all American Catholics to take some time off from the regular routine, and to pray with the Holy Father, and to be open to the messages of renewal that he offers to the country, to the world (at the U. N.) and to all of the baptized by his words and his affections.

Congratulations Confirmandi!