Confirmation Celebrated on April 19th

Monday, April 19 was Confirmation Day for young men and women of the parish. Our bishop, Bishop Robert J. McManus, confirmed candidates from St. Anthony Parish as well as candidates from Immaculate Conception, St. Francis, St. Joseph and Madonna of the Holy Rosary Parishes.  It was a joy-filled and beautiful liturgy, celebrating both the individual candidates who have chosen to take this step forward in their faith, but also the increased unity among the parishes of Fitchburg.  We are One Church.  We are One Body of Christ. We are called to give a unified witness to Jesus Christ and to His Church to our city and beyond.

As you know, St. Bernard and St. Camillus DeLellis Parishes will merge into one, new St. Bernard’s Parish, worshipping on Mechanic Street.  Immaculate Conception, Madonna of the Holy Rosary and Sacred Heart of Jesus Parishes are in the process of determining with whom they wish to merge. Soon after that the Bishop will be announcing pastors for the four new parishes. It is an exciting time for all of us.

With the excitement comes anxiety and also a well-founded sorrow over what has been lost.  One cannot drive through the streets of Fitchburg and look upon these magnificent edifices built for the glory of God without sadness thinking some of these church buildings will be closed. Some will be put to other uses, some may be torn down. We do not know what the future holds.

Like the Confirmation candidates who walked forward confidently to the Bishop to be confirmed, we, too, can be filled with confidence and hope. We don’t need to know everything that the future holds. We only need to trust in God and walk together.