New confirmands welcomed into the Church
by Shannon Grooms
posted on May 3, 2012
Confirmation 2012 was celebrated on the Pine Ridge Reservation on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church, Pine Ridge, SD.
Bishop Robert Gruss was the principal celebrant, assisted by Deacon Gerald Bush, and with Fathers Winzenburg, Sanford, and Abert concelebrating. The celebration started with the Cante T'inza drum group singing the traditional Lakota Four Directions Song, and the rite of Wazilyapi (traditional purification ceremony). The Mass readings were proclaimed by Gayla Adams and Deacon Bush.
In a Confirmation Mass, the candidates are presented to the bishop after the Gospel reading. The bishop accepts the candidates, then gives his homily. Bishop Gruss spoke directly to the candidates, saying, “God loves you more than you can know.” He then challenged the candidates to live out of that love.
The rest of Confirmation rite consists of first the candidates renewing their baptismal promises before the church. Next, the bishop prays for the gifts of the Holy Spirit and lays hands on each of the candidates. Finally, the candidates come forward individually, with their sponsors, to be anointed by the bishop with sacred chrism.
After they are confirmed, the candidates, and all of the faithful, join at the Lord’s Table in the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Holy Communion. Following the Mass, all were invited to greet and honor the newly confirmed, then share a meal together in the Sacred Heart center hall.
The newly confirmed are as follows:
Our Lady of Sorrows, Kyle, SD
Belva Kay Clifford Sponsor: Viola Loafer
Amanda Marie Reddy Sponsor: Viola Loafer j
Our Lady of the Sioux, Oglala, SD
Carlee DeWolfe Sponsor: Lorraine Swallow
Sacred Heart, Pine Ridge, SD
Elizabeth Belt Sponsor: Patricia Keith
Troy Briggs Sponsor: Ramona Pedregon
Jonna Hill Sponsor: Rosa Means
Kimberly Hill Sponsor: Kathy Means
Sheena Mousseau Sponsor: Shaina Big Crow
If you are interested in learning more about any of the churches or their celebrations on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, contact Fr. Steve Sanford at 605-867-5491 ext 604.
