Bishop Earl Fernandes administered the sacrament of confirmation in the Diocese of Columbus for the first time on Saturday, June 4 at Columbus St. Agnes Church on the city’s west side.

The new bishop also presided over confirmation on Sunday, June 5 at Lancaster St. Bernadette Church and Logan St. John Church.

Three other confirmations – at Columbus Holy Name Church (Parroquia Santa Cruz), Danville St. Luke Church and Columbus St. Stephen the Martyr Church – were on the bishop’s schedule during his first full week since he was ordained and installed as the 13th bishop of Columbus on May 31. 

Bishop Earl Fernandes (walking with his crosier and wearing his mitre) processes to the altar at Columbus St. Agnes Church to begin a Confirmation Mass on Saturday, June 4.    CT photo by Ken Snow

In a homily directed to the confirmands during the Mass at St. Agnes, Bishop Fernandes repeated what has already become a familiar theme of his preaching.

“We need you, we need your gifts, and God is calling you not to mediocrity but to greatness,” he said. “And I know that with His help, and if you open your heart to Him, you will be great and you will do great things for God.”

He also reminded them of the graces received from the sacrament of confirmation.

“Now our Lord will seal each of you with the gift of the Holy Spirit and ask to be His witnesses, to be humble and generous, to make a gift of yourself to our Church, to our world and to one another,” he said. “You will be His witnesses to this love.

“Jesus shows His Apostles His wounds, and they rejoice because they know that there is a love stronger than death. And that love is for you. And that love has a name: The bond of love between the Father and the Son is the Holy Spirit.

“Today you begin a new mission, but you are not alone. You have one another, you have your family members and friends, and you have the whole Church of Columbus, you have two priests who love you, and a bishop now who will love you and support you.”

Bishop Earl Fernandes traces the sign of the cross with holy oil on the forehead of Jose Lopez during the rite of Confirmation.  CT photo by Ken Snow

Bishop Fernandes reminded the faithful that Jesus asks each member of His flock to be servants.

“How did the Father send Jesus?” he asked. “In poverty and in humility, to be born not in a palace but in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus grew up being known not as the son of a doctor or a lawyer but the son of a carpenter. 

“Jesus went about preaching Good News to the poor, mostly the materially poor but also to wealthy people who were spiritually poor. Jesus came to bring the Good News that God saves.

“How did Jesus come? Again, in humility. At the Last Supper, He washed the Apostles’ feet.

“How did Jesus live and die? In humility. He humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death.

“As the Father has sent me, so I send you. And how was Jesus sent? Not only in humility, but with a spirit of generosity. He gave himself over to His mission and to His people.”

Bishop Earl Fernandes stands with the Confirmation class at Columbus St. Agnes Church.   CT photo by Ken Snow