Bishop Lagonegro administers Sacrament of Confirmation at the Church of St. Stephen

WARWICK — On Friday and Saturday, March 11- 12, approximately 130 candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr.

As parents and other relatives looked on, Bishop Dominick Lagonegro, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York and, Episcopal Vicar for the Upper Counties, administered the sacrament to the young students who had completed a two-year course of study beginning in seventh grade.

In the Catholic faith, Confirmation is a sacrament by which persons already baptized receive the Holy Spirit in order to make them stronger and more perfect Christians, as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.

During the service Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of St. Stephen's, presented the candidates, introducing each one by name.

Before administering the sacrament, Bishop Lagonegro told the candidates the story of the eaglet and the chickens.

Through a series of mishaps, a baby eagle ended up being raised on a farm with chickens. And when an eagle flew over the barn one day, he was amazed by the sight but believing that he was just a chicken, never imagined he could fly like an eagle.

"I want you to know who you are and what you are," said Lagonegro.

He told them that God has a plan and that he gives us various talents. In Confirmation, he explained, "The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom, understanding and counsel."

During the rite of Confirmation the entire group renewed their baptismal promises by responding, "I do." Lagonegro and the concelebrating priests then performed the "Laying on of Hands," an ancient biblical gesture. Finally, each candidate, accompanied by his or her sponsor, came forward to be anointed and confirmed one by one by the Bishop.

Later, the bishop met with parents and candidates and posed for photographs.

- Roger Gavan