On October 8, 2023, Bishop Luis Zarama celebrated a bilingual Mass and the sacrament of confirmation at Our Lady of the Seas in Buxton. Bishop first met with the 15 confirmation candidates prior to Mass, which was concelebrated with Our Lady of the Seas pastor, Father Alfred “Fred” Smuda, OSFS.
During his homily, Bishop Luis remined the young adults that while he was presenting them with the gift of the Holy Spirit as part of the sacrament of confirmation, it was up to them to decide what they would do with this gift. He encouraged them to have the courage to be themselves and to let their faith inspire others. (Watch the Mass, including Bishop Luis' homily.)
After Mass, Father Fred thanked Bishop Luis and all those in attendance and also recognized Our Lady of Seas Director of Religious Education, Claudia Hennessey, and Jennifer Bonanni and Vanessa Perez, Catechists for Confirmation on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, respectively.
Father Fred also mentioned that Bishop Luis will be returning to the Outer Banks area soon to dedicate a new chapel on Ocracoke Island. Catholic residents of Ocracoke have been praying for a new chapel to be built on Ocracoke following Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Masses on the island have been celebrated under the trees, in a community center, in homes and most recently in a Methodist Church. The new chapel, which Father Fred will also preside over, will include an adjacent buidling with residence space for a priest and meeting space for the Ocracoke community.
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