Tag: Confirmation

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Sermon Notes – May 11, 2025 – “Read the Instructions”

“Read the Instructions”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

May 10 – 11, 2025


Gospel:  John 10: 27-30

Today is a wonderful day.  The Sacrament of First Communion will be administered.  Last night, I imposed the Sacrament of Confirmation on students.  I want to thank the Faith Formation staff and especially the parents for their wonderful work in helping prepare for this day.   This is a great gift because this gift is not just a gift with a lowercase “g.”  It is a Gift with a capital “G.”  This Gift is God, Himself, coming into your souls.  It is the medicine of God.

Do you know why doctors give us medicine?  If we are sick, it will make us healthy.  Another reason for medicine is to keep us healthy.  It is the same reason God gives us Himself in the Sacraments, to make us healthy and to keep us healthy.  When we sin, the Sacrament of Penance makes us healthy.  The other Sacraments help keep us healthy, which include Holy Communion that the young people will receive today, and the Sacrament of Confirmation, which keeps us strong for service to others. 

Now, there may be restrictions that come with the medicine our physicians prescribe.  The instructions on the bottle may say, “Do not take with grapefruit juice.”  I love that one, and I wonder how that was determined.  Did some poor shmuck take his medicine with grapefruit juice and go whoops!   Other medications should be taken with food, and if you don’t, you quickly realize you made a big mistake.  There may also be certain times to take medicine.  So, there can be all sorts of restrictions so that the medicine can do its job.   But we are always complaining about it: “Oh, poor me.  I cannot eat this or that.”  Oh, be quiet.  At least you are old enough to enjoy the privilege.  We must cooperate with the medicine we’ve been prescribed.  It’s the same with God and the Sacraments.  They are gifts from God, but we must cooperate by receiving the Sacraments in a State of Grace, which is attained by receiving the Sacrament of Penance.  These gifts will not overpower us.  They will not take us away from the temptation to sin.  We must not make appointments to visit it or take it to lunch.  You must work with the gift that God has given you. 

Do you know what the biggest occasion of sin is?   I don’t want to hear about cell phones, computers, or anything else.  Computers have an off switch, and cell phones need to be charged.  The biggest occasion for sin sits right on top of our shoulders.  We are not responsible for our thoughts, but we are responsible for what we do with them.  God’s medicine is not going to overpower our thoughts.  Even though you may not feel His medicine working, it is.  The pills I take are working, even though I don’t feel them working.  I know my blood pressure pills are working because when I take my blood pressure, it’s fine.  The pills are working.  Do I feel it?  No.  If I stop taking the pills, will I feel it?  No.  But the damage will continue, and I will feel it one day when I take the big dirt nap a lot sooner than I should.  

So, we must cooperate with God’s gifts.  Just because you don’t feel them working, doesn’t mean they aren’t.  They are.  But we have to cooperate by doing what we need to do.  These are God’s gifts to you.  Use them by trying to live a holy life, coming to every weekend Mass, and going to Confession.  I go to Confession too, and I’ve known these priests since they were ordained.   I tell them everything, and they are still standing.  But if we don’t cooperate with God, the Sacraments will not work.  It is not easy.  However, Saint Ambrose said, “The work of love is not hard; if there is any work involved, the work itself is love.”  

God’s medicine is the gift of the Sacraments.  He gives us the gift of His very Self so that we can carry our crosses, and if we fall, we can get back up and carry them again.  God offers us His grace for our healing and to strengthen us so that we can carry all our crosses out of love for Him. 

Father’s Reflections . . . . So, we have a new pope.  Passed over again!  People have asked me, “Father, how was your trip?”  My trips are always interesting.  I used to fly in my clerical clothes, my black suit and collar.  On one of my flights, there were six priests on board.   Once the plane was in flight, nobody talked, nobody moved, and nobody wanted anything.  They all sat as quiet as a tomb.  The crew brought me several Cokes and a shopping bag full of treats.  Yeah baby!  I like that.  So, I was getting on the plane Sunday night at 10, and although I was flying in lay clothes, my seatmate looked up and said, “Hi Father. How are you?”  Crap: I can forget about martinis! 

How will you apply this message to your life? _________________________________________

You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to AnnunciationCatholicAlbemarle.com, clicking on “Blog,” then “Categories,” and then “Sermon Notes.”  On a cell phone: click on “Blog” and then “Menu.”  Scroll to the bottom and click on “Categories.”  Sermon Notes are also available on the Church’s Facebook page at OLA.Catholic.Church.  Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.

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Sermon Notes – June 30, 2024 – “All I Needed Was a Checkbook and a Phonebook”

“All I Needed Was a Checkbook and a Phonebook”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

June 29 – 30, 2024

Gospel: Mark 5:21-43

Early every morning, I come over to the church and do my meditation.  During one of my meditations, the thought came to me about how beautiful our church has become.  Bill Peak was the original Misfit (church volunteer), and I was talking to him about that.  When I first arrived here, the first job I gave Bill was to get the carpet out of the church bathroom.  That’s another reason priests should be married.  Who would put carpet in the bathroom?  To the best of my recollat – recollec – uh – memory . . . do I sound like the President?   But to the best of my recollection, we have made over 50 changes and upgrades just inside the church.   

So, let me ask you – what makes this church beautiful?  Could it be the wonderful new Stations of the Cross?  Perhaps it’s the beautiful altar rail that the Misfits worked on?  Maybe it’s the wooden altarpiece or the marble tables we put in.  Could it be the amazing stained-glass window above the altar?  Maybe it’s the sound system.  We’ve done so many things, but what is the most beautiful?  Does the love of God’s people make the church beautiful?  Yes.  However, that was a trick question.  I asked you “what” the most beautiful thing in our church is.  You should have answered, “Hey, Father, it’s not a “what.” It’s a “Who.”  What makes our church truly beautiful is the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  God Incarnate is present in the Tabernacle, and He is beauty itself.  

Our love for Him is a reflection of that beauty and is made manifest in all the wonderful things you have done in the church over the past 22 years.  Your love is a response to His love.  You have given out of love to reflect His beauty and the beauty of His love for us and for everyone.   We are like an Irish family . . . we always have an extra seat.  The Real Presence of our Lord is what makes a church beautiful.  This is our Faith.

That is what makes a church beautiful.  Beauty is not an “it.”  Beauty is a “Who.”  Every Mass is beautiful and wonderful, even the Mass I did in 13 minutes when I was in Iraq . . . we were a little busy at the time.  The Ordination Mass of our new bishop lasted for three hours.  That’s the wonder and beauty of our Faith in the person of Jesus Christ.  It’s the beauty of His love expressed and given to us.  It’s the beauty you have responded to by being here. 

Years ago, Bishop Jugis, our retired bishop now and a really wonderful man, came here for Confirmation.  He was walking across the parking lot, and he said, “Father, you have really made this place beautiful.”  I said, “Bishop, all I needed was two books.”  He gave me a confused look, and I said, “Yes, all I need is a checkbook and a phone book, and I can make things happen.  I know people.”  But the beauty of it all is that it’s from God by your response to His love.   Do you think I used my personal checkbook for all these things?  Nope.  It was yours.  Your gifts are a reflection of your love for Christ and His love for you.  The beauty of His love that you responded to made all these wonderful things happen.  God is beauty itself.  Every church is beautiful insofar as it has our good Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.  Soon, and on the eternal scale, very soon, we will all see that beauty without the need for glasses.  We will see God Himself without the need for signs and symbols. 

One more thing about Bishop Jugis.  After coming to Confirmation here, the next morning, he had to drive three hours to the mountains.  I knew he was tired, but after Confirmation, I asked him, “Bishop, would you do me a favor?  There are a couple of people in the hospital I’d like you to visit.”   I asked him to go see Genevieve, a lady who was in her last days, and also another lady who was being released from the hospital to go home and die from cancer.  The Bishop agreed to visit them, and he could not have been more gracious.  You would never have known he had a long trip ahead of him the next morning. 

Father’s Reflections . . .

We had an unexpected expense last week.  The air conditioning in my house went out, so for a few nights, it was rather warm, and I didn’t sleep well.  However, I didn’t waste the time . . . I caught up on my continuing education units which are studies I need to do – I watched episodes of “House, MD.”  It occurred to me that I am House in a priestly sense.  I can live with that.  He is hilarious.

This week we will be celebrating July 4th.   Remember that freedom is not free.  Last month was the 80th anniversary of D-Day.  Of the first 128 men who went ashore, guess how many survived.  None.  Do you know the average age of the soldiers on D-Day?  19. 

How will you apply this message to your life?  ________________________________________

You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to AnnunciationCatholicAlbemarle.com, clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” and then “Sermon Notes.”  On a cell phone: click on “Blog” and then “Menu.”  Scroll to the bottom and click on “Categories.”  Sermon Notes are also available on the Church’s Facebook page at OLA.Catholic.Church.  Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 179 – Summary of Confirmation

Together, with Fr. Mike, we have arrived at the conclusion and nugget day for the section on the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike reiterates the idea that, “What God has done in me cannot stop with me.” We receive God’s gifts at Confirmation, and it is now up to us to use these gifts. He also emphasizes the importance of having the desire for the sacrament of Confirmation when the sacrament is received. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1315-1321.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/82nEFH6ZWfM

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 178 – Who Receives Confirmation?

We continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically both who should receive Confirmation and who can act as the minister of the sacrament. Fr. Mike reiterates that every baptized person, not yet confirmed, should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Without Confirmation, Christian initiation remains incomplete. He also emphasizes the importance of choosing someone who can help you grow in the Faith as a sponsor. Fr. Mike concludes with an examination of who the minister of Confirmation is, and how its minister ties us to the apostolic succession. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1306-1314.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/GOR1sdenSc8

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 177 – The Celebration of Confirmation


We continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically the celebration and effects of the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike explores the different elements of the rite of Confirmation and the ways in which Confirmation increases and deepens our baptismal graces. He emphasizes, in particular, the special strength of the Holy Spirit that we receive to spread and defend the Faith by our words and actions. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1297-1305.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/kiZ5NqckR5U

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 176 – Traditions and Signs of Confirmation

Together, with Fr. Mike, we continue our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation, specifically the two Traditions and different signs of Confirmation. Fr. Mike unpacks the differences in the two Traditions, East and West, in the celebration of Confirmation. He also explores the different signs that oil and anointing in the sacrament of Confirmation can signify. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1290-1296.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/-aD7JDcxOV4

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 175 – Introduction to Confirmation

We begin our examination of the sacrament of Confirmation. Fr. Mike emphasizes that the reception of Confirmation is necessary for the completion and strengthening of baptismal grace. He also highlights the vital importance of the reception of Confirmation because it gives us the power to be a witness to God’s grace on earth, just as the Apostles received that same power at Pentecost. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1285-1289.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/w8BmMZe–2Q

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The Catechism in a Year – Day 151 – The Seven Sacraments

The Catechism introduces the seven sacraments that Christ offers the Church: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. The Catechism highlights the fact that the sacraments are “by the Church” because the Church is “Christ’s action at work”, and they are “for the Church” because they “manifest and communicate to men…the mystery of communion with the God who is love.” Fr. Mike focuses on the fact that while ministerial priests administer many of the sacraments, their priesthood is at the service of the baptismal priesthood, into which all of the baptized are ordained. Today’s readings are from Catechism paragraphs 1113-1121.

Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/34pSVZxRW8M

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Sermon Notes – May 14, 2023 – Grace Builds Upon Grace

Grace Builds Upon Grace

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

May 13 – 14, 2023

Gospel: John 14:15-21

In Latin, the word “Sacrament” means “mystery.”  So, why does God give us the Sacraments?  Through the Sacraments, He gives us the fruits of His suffering, death, and resurrection for the life of our souls.  The Sacraments (Baptism, Marriage, Holy Orders, Last Rites, Confirmation, Holy Communion, and Confession) are given at various times.  In Eastern Rite churches, Confirmation is called chrismation and is given at birth along with baptism.  I prefer it that way.  It’s like giving children all their shots early so they don’t get sick.   

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a strengthening Sacrament and helps you fight temptations if you use it.  To use it, you must practice your faith. . . . Mass on Sundays, Confession at least once a year, and prayer.  Now, I am a man of no talent while my brother had many talents.  I enjoy people who have talents, and I wish I had them.  Frankie has a wonderful talent.  She reads a foreign language called music.  That is totally foreign to me.  I took some music appreciation courses in college because they were easy A’s.  To get as good as Frankie is, she had to practice constantly; otherwise, she would lose her talent.  It’s just like your muscles; if you don’t use them, they atrophy.  It’s the same for the grace God offers us for our souls.  God gives you the gift of Himself to help you in this world and to keep you holy.  By staying holy, you evangelize.  For example, when you say to people, “I don’t do that” and they say “Why not?  Everybody else does it.”  And you say, “Because it’s not right.  It’s not Christ-like.”  That’s evangelization.  That’s someone who has a Christian backbone and stands up to what’s not right.   God gives you this grace which is fortified by prayer.  You never lose it.  If you commit a grave sin, it becomes dormant because sin drives God out of your soul.   But He is always willing to come back.  That’s the beauty of God’s love.  He never writes any of us off.  At the VA, I don’t ask patients if they want Last Rites because they are going to get it whether they want it or not.  I’m not going to ask.  They will have Last Rites because it’s a sign of God’s love.

God gives Himself to us so that we may have eternal life.   When we receive the Sacraments for the first time like Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, it’s so exciting.  However, after the first or second time, Confession kind of feels mundane or ordinary.  But it’s not ordinary.  Just because it’s not like the first time doesn’t mean it’s not as good or that you aren’t doing it right.  In fact, it’s just the opposite.  It means you are doing it right, because one grace from the Sacraments builds upon another and strengthens your will.  Grace builds upon grace. 

When you cooperate with the grace from the Sacraments, you grow in God’s love.  A word of caution- when we draw closer to God, it catches the devil’s attention, and he will really come after us.  Now, do you always feel yourself growing closer to God?  No.  For example, many of us are on blood pressure medicine.  You really don’t feel it working, but it’s easy to find out by using a sphygmomanometer.  Thunk!   Just because you don’t feel it, doesn’t mean it’s not working.  That’s a temptation of the devil.   What that lack of sensory excitement means is that your love for God is becoming deeper and more ingrained.  You know what the happiest day of a married couple should be?  The day that one leaves to see Jesus.  Not because you want to see Jesus – although that’s a good idea – and not because you are rid of them – till death do us part is not a hope and prayer.  It’s because that love should have kept on building over all the years and becoming deeper.  It is deeper because the love you have as a 40-year-old is not the same as when you were first married in your 20’s.  It is deeper.  Hopefully, you’ve changed by growing in holiness.  Saying the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a lot different for me than it was 38 years ago when I was a young priest.  I’ve said Mass in some unusual places.  I got to say Mass at the cathedral with the bishop.  Woo-hoo!   But each Mass was deeper than the earlier ones.  So, you mustn’t give into the devil’s temptation by saying, “Oh, I’m not getting anything out of the Sacraments.”   Of course, you are.  You may not feel it, but you are.  Otherwise, you are denying His power.  In the Gospel, Christ said, “And I will put my spirit within you.…” (Ezekiel 36:27).  How does His spirit come within you?   It comes through the Sacraments.  So, if you say you’re getting nothing from the Sacraments, you are denying the Gospel.  If you say, “I get nothing out of the Mass,” that’s okay – you aren’t supposed to.  You come to give of yourself.  You give yourself into my hands, and I, acting in the person of Christ, emulate with you Christ’s sacrifice on the altar as an offering to the Father.  You are united to His suffering, and I give you back your life in Holy Communion. 

I want to thank all the teachers who helped with Faith Formation this year.  It was a wonderful year.  It’s hard to do because we live in a very un-Christian society.  I appreciate the sacrifice; I really do.  Never think that your sacrifice goes unnoticed.  You will be repaid for anything you do for the love of God.   But you’ll never know when.  He will reward you for any small act of love you do for Him.  Give of yourself totally in the Mass.  Everybody has problems and they bring them here.  Make an intellectual prayer:  “I offer myself totally to you.”  And with that offering, you become part of Christ’s sacrifice.   From that offering, you give back to yourself.  More than that, He gives Himself to you.  

Father’s Reflections . . . Yesterday was kind of fun.  People were all dressed up for Confirmation although that’s not a requirement.  They really looked good.  Even Tom Adams looked like he was ready for Hartsell’s Funeral Home.  Last night, we had 14 Confirmations and one First Communion.  It was an interesting day.   I administered five of the seven Sacraments.  If I had performed a marriage ceremony, it would have been six Sacraments.  The remaining sacrament is Holy Orders which only a bishop can administer.   Finally, I am sad to announce that Ms. Dottie is retiring after almost 50 years of teaching Faith Formation.  We’ll leave the light on just in case she changes her mind.  She will be missed. 

How will you apply this message to your life?  ______________________________________

You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to annunciationcatholicalbemarle.com and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” then “Sermon Notes.”  On a cell phone: click on “Blog” then “Menu” and then “Categories.”  Sermon Notes are also available on the church Facebook page at facebook.com/ola.catholic.church.  Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”