On April 30, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama joined parishioners of Saints Mary and Edward parish to celebrate a bilingual Mass of Confirmation in Roxboro. The Mass was concelebrated by Father William Rodriguez, pastor of the parish, and several other priests and deacons of the diocese.
During his homily, Bishop Luis addressed the group of young parishioners receiving confirmation, the third of three sacraments of initiation for Catholics who have been baptized and received their First Holy Communion.
“I will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit,” explained Bishop Luis. “It is up to you to use it. Accept the challenge to live reality in this moment and let the Spirit come to you. The most important thing is not what you’ve done in your life but what you will do with your life from this moment on. Are you free to dream or are you afraid to dream? Don’t let your past control you. Find freedom in Him. Let yourself be seen and heard by Jesus as you are in that moment.”
Joining the bishop and pastor in the celebration of Mass were Father Bill John Acosta, Father Omoviekovwa Nakireru, Father Luis Palacios-Rodriguez, O.F.M, Conv., Father Jim Sabak, O.F.M, and Deacon Felix Saez.
The celebration continued with a large community reception afterwards, followed by a blessing of land. A parcel of land near Northern Middle School in Roxboro where Mass was celebrated has been designated as the place where the community hopes to build a future church for the Saints Mary and Edward parish.