KUCHING — On 16–17 September 2022, 186 Confirmands from SMK St Teresa, St Joseph’s Sunday School, SMK St Joseph, St Joseph’s Private School and St Joseph’s International School attended a 2-day confirmation seminar as part of their preparation towards receiving their Sacrament of Confirmation. This seminar was a joint collaboration between St Joseph Parish’s Catechetical Office and EMPOWERED Ministry. Together with the guest speaker Bro Paul Simon Julianose, a young Catholic lay missionary who is also CHARIS Malaysia’s youth representative, the confirmands experienced the love of God & the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
These are some responses of the confirmands when asked “What did you discover about yourself from Confirmation Seminar?”, “How do you see God in your life?” and “When and where has God been a part of your life?”:
I felt renewed, like having a soul and a heart of wanting to continue to get closer to God. - Alvin (SMK St Joseph)
God is our saviour and He exists in us. - Ricky Melvin (SMK St Joseph)
This Confirmation Seminar has taught me how to live gleefully in this world full of obstacles and provocations. - Michelle Jimosl (St Joseph’s Private School)
I discovered that God will welcome and accept me each time even after many rejections from me, as I’m God’s child. - Ashlee Hong (St Joseph’s Private School)
This seminar was the time I’d experienced the deepest reflection in my life. Even though I had to admit that my faith might not be as strong as other confirmands, I can feel that my faith has become stronger and my relationship with God has truly deepened a lot. Personally, I am excited to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and begin a new spiritual adventure. - Elizabeth Wong (St Joseph’s International School)
What I’ve discovered about myself from the seminar is that I am worthy of God’s love despite all my sins and I find myself being more patient and happier after experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. Petrina Suling (SMK St Teresa)
I find myself to being more confident, happy and perseverance after experiencing the holy spirit and also during the session. – Ammerline Bong (SMK St. Teresa)
I learnt the virtue of trust throughout this confirmation seminar as I realised the importance of giving everything up for God and trusting that He will provide endlessly for me through thick and thin. – Evangeline Wee Chanel (St Joseph’s Private School)
I found out that by trusting the power of the Holy Spirit and letting God control my life, I would be a better person in the future—spiritually, mentally, and physically. Through the guidance of God in my life, I’ve been able to give more support to other people who need it and treat people with gentleness and fairness. - Gloria Mary (St Joseph’s Private School)
The seminar was very fun and exciting. Although it was carried out for two whole days which was tiring, I really loved it when we did praise and worship where all of us were able to participate by singing and dancing together. I’m grateful that I had a chance to experience the two days because we were able to express ourselves through talks, the healing session and confession. I hope there’ll be more fun seminars like these in the future! – Chanel (St Joseph’s Private School)
I’ve discovered that I must always learn to forgive others and devote my everyday to prayers. Having received the gift of tongues, I must always spread the good news and speak about the truth to others. I’ve always felt His presence whenever I feel scared, tired, upset and worried. – Amber Catherina (SJC Parish Sunday School)
I arrived at the confirmation seminar, not expecting much, thinking it would just be another boring talk, but I came out of it more surprised than ever. I discovered that there’s more to God than just going to Church every week and saying a prayer every night. It gave me a sense of safety in a way, to know that there is really such a wonderful God that exists and that is here for me in a way that no one ever was. - Kevin Lim (St Joseph’s International School)
