10 June 2021
Throughout the Easter season, a traditional time to celebrate the sacraments of initiation, Bishop Anthony Randazzo commenced the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation, a first for him as the Bishop of Broken Bay.
During 2020 the usual celebrations of the sacrament were suspended due to the COVID pandemic, preventing Bishop Anthony from travelling throughout the Diocese to visit communities and confer the sacrament.
From April 2021, beginning with the parish of Kincumber, Bishop Anthony covered the Central Coast, Northern Beaches, North Shore and Hornsby regions and was able to connect with the local parish communities and meet many members of the community of the Church of Broken Bay.
In the first month, Bishop Anthony visited seven parishes and one chaplaincy, celebrated 18 confirmation liturgies and confirmed 563 children.
“This is a moment of grace for our Diocese after the restrictions of COVID last year,” said Bishop Anthony. “And I hope it will be a time of bringing to life the power of the Holy Spirit in our young people and in our community of the Church.”
In the parish of Kincumber, the first 63 children from the local parish and the public school were confirmed. Parish priest Fr Jose Phillip, said it was good to see the children and their families back to normal parish life and the confirmations were a great occasion to gather the community.
“Everyone was really happy to see the Bishop present for the confirmations,” said Fr Jose. “Bishop Anthony made the experience very personal for the children and made a point of including the parents and sponsors in a special way.”
Bishop Anthony encouraged the confirmation candidates to open their lives more deeply to the action of the Holy Spirit. “The gifts of the Spirit provide us an alternative strategy for life - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, truthfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
“All of these lead to greater understanding and eventually to wisdom. The Holy Spirit is at work in each one of us.”