People across different faiths mark significant spiritual milestones through sacraments. These sacred ceremonies signify growth, commitment, and transitions within religious communities. Families often need to share news of these meaningful events with their extended community through written notifications.
The task of crafting these announcements can feel challenging without proper guidance. Each notification letter should capture both the spiritual significance and personal joy of the occasion. Read on to discover examples that will help you craft the perfect announcement for your situation.
Sample Letters of Notification of Sacraments Received
These letters serve as templates you can adapt for your personal notification needs.
1. Baptism Notification – Traditional Catholic Family
Dear Friends and Family,
With great happiness, we wish to share that our son, Michael Thomas Williams, received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, April 12, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Father James Johnson performed the ceremony surrounded by close family and godparents.
This first sacrament marks Michael’s entry into the Christian faith and the beginning of his spiritual journey. His godparents, Sarah and David Thompson, have promised to guide him in his faith development and support our family in raising him according to Catholic teachings.
The ceremony was beautiful in its simplicity and profound meaning. Michael remained surprisingly calm throughout, even as the blessed water was poured over his head. His godparents stood proudly beside us, ready to take on their sacred responsibility. The entire congregation welcomed him warmly into our faith community with prayers and blessings.
After the ceremony, we gathered at our home for a small celebration with cake and refreshments. Many of you who could not attend sent your prayers and well wishes, which touched our hearts deeply. We displayed the photos you might have seen on our family social media page, along with the special baptismal candle and white garment that symbolize the light of Christ and purity of faith.
As Michael grows, we look forward to guiding him through the other sacraments and watching his faith develop. This first step holds special significance for our family, as it continues a tradition that spans generations. Many of you might recall similar celebrations for our older children or perhaps your own baptismal days.
Please keep Michael in your prayers as he begins this lifelong journey of faith. Your continued support means everything to our family.
With gratitude and joy,
Robert and Elizabeth Williams
Parents
St. Mary’s Catholic Parish
Springfield, Illinois
2. First Communion Announcement – Contemporary Approach
Hello Friends and Loved Ones,
Our hearts are full as we share that Emma Grace Martinez received her First Holy Communion on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Our Lady of Peace Church. The celebration was led by Father Thomas Garcia at the 11:00 am Mass.
Emma prepared for this sacrament through two years of religious education classes, learning about the significance of the Eucharist and growing in her understanding of our faith. Her dedication to her studies and her sincere questions showed her readiness to take this important step.
The day was filled with meaning for our entire family. Emma wore a beautiful white dress that her grandmother hand-stitched, carrying on a family tradition that began three generations ago. She walked down the aisle with seven other children from her class, each holding a small candle representing the light of Christ they carry within them.
During the ceremony, Emma received the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time, a moment that brought tears to many eyes. She approached the altar with reverence that seemed beyond her eight years. The parish community supported all the children with their presence and prayers, creating an atmosphere of love and spiritual connection.
Following Mass, we celebrated with a reception in the church hall where Emma proudly displayed her First Communion certificate, rosary, and prayer book. Many of you sent beautiful cards and thoughtful gifts that will serve as lasting reminders of this special day in her faith journey.
Emma has expressed how meaningful this sacrament was for her, saying she feels “closer to Jesus” now. As parents, nothing could make us happier than seeing her develop her own personal relationship with God. This sacrament marks a new chapter in her spiritual growth.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Emma through prayers, encouragement, and by being positive examples of faith in action. Your influence in her life helps strengthen the foundation we try to build at home.
With abundant blessings,
Carlos and Sophia Martinez
Parents
Our Lady of Peace Parish
Phoenix, Arizona
3. Confirmation Notification – Teen Perspective
Dear Family and Friends,
I wanted to personally let you know that I received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. Bishop Michael Andrews presided over the ceremony, conferring this sacrament upon me and twenty other candidates from our parish.
My journey to Confirmation involved weekly preparation classes, community service projects, and a weekend retreat that truly deepened my understanding of my faith. I chose St. Sebastian as my Confirmation saint because his courage and dedication to his beliefs inspire me in my own life, especially as I face the challenges of high school and beyond.
My sponsor, Uncle Robert, has been an amazing guide throughout this process. His steady faith and willingness to discuss difficult questions helped me clarify my own beliefs. During the ceremony, he placed his hand on my shoulder as the Bishop anointed me with chrism oil and called me by my Confirmation name. That moment felt surprisingly powerful, like a true turning point.
The Holy Spirit was truly present in the cathedral that day. The atmosphere was both solemn and joyful as each candidate stepped forward. Watching my fellow classmates make this commitment alongside me created a special bond between us that I believe will last for years to come. We had studied together, served together, and now were confirmed together.
This sacrament holds special meaning as I make the conscious choice to embrace my faith as a young adult. The values and teachings that have shaped my childhood now become principles I actively choose to live by. Confirmation feels like receiving the tools I need for the journey ahead.
Following the Mass, our parish hosted a reception where my family celebrated this milestone with me. Your cards, messages, and gifts have meant so much, showing me the wider community of faith that surrounds and supports me. I especially appreciate the prayer book from Grandma that belonged to her mother.
Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement as I continue growing in my faith.
With gratitude,
Jason Thomas Anderson
Confirmed Catholic
St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish
Boston, Massachusetts
4. Matrimony Announcement – Interfaith Couple
Dear Friends and Relatives,
With hearts full of gratitude, we wish to announce that we, Rebecca Cohen and Michael O’Connor, received the Sacrament of Matrimony on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Sacred Heart Church. Father David Williams and Rabbi Sarah Goldstein collaborated to create a ceremony honoring both our faith traditions.
Our journey to this day involved thoughtful discussions about how to respect both Catholic and Jewish traditions within our relationship. Through marriage preparation classes and counseling with both religious leaders, we developed a deeper appreciation for each other’s spiritual heritage and found beautiful common ground upon which to build our marriage.
The ceremony incorporated elements from both faiths, creating a unique celebration that reflected our shared values while honoring our distinct traditions. The chuppah stood near the altar, decorated with flowers from both families’ gardens. Readings from both the Old and New Testaments were shared by siblings from each side of the family.
Special moments included the lighting of unity candles with our parents, the traditional breaking of the glass, and the exchange of vows we wrote ourselves after months of reflection. The music included both traditional Catholic hymns and Jewish wedding songs, creating a tapestry of sound that symbolized our interfaith union.
We feel blessed that our families have embraced this union with open hearts. Their support through the planning process and their participation in the ceremony demonstrated the possibilities of interfaith harmony. Both sets of parents gave special blessings adapted from their respective traditions, a powerful moment of unity.
This sacrament marks the beginning of our life together, one built on mutual respect, compromise, and deep love. We look forward to establishing traditions that honor both heritages while creating something new that is uniquely ours. Our home will be one where both faiths are practiced and celebrated.
Thank you to everyone who witnessed this sacred commitment and to those who sent their blessings from afar. Your presence, whether physical or spiritual, added to the joy of this momentous occasion.
With love and appreciation,
Rebecca and Michael O’Connor-Cohen
Newlyweds
Sacred Heart Parish
Chicago, Illinois
5. Infant Baptism – Grandparent’s Announcement
Beloved Family and Friends,
What joy fills my heart as I share that my precious granddaughter, Lily Rose Johnson, received the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, May 24, 2025, at Holy Trinity Church. Monsignor Thomas Wilson performed the ceremony with the loving presence of immediate family.
As a grandmother watching this sacred moment, emotions overwhelmed me. Seeing my daughter and son-in-law make this commitment to raise Lily in the faith brought back memories of their own baptisms. Faith continues through generations, and witnessing this circle of spiritual life brought profound gratitude.
Lily wore the baptismal gown that has been in our family for four generations, first worn by her great-grandfather in 1945. The delicate lace and satin, though yellowed slightly with age, carries the history and prayers of our family. Her parents added a small blue ribbon, starting what might become their own addition to the tradition.
During the ceremony, Lily behaved like a true angel, barely making a sound as the water blessed her small head. Her godparents, Amanda Wilson and Thomas Johnson, stood proudly beside my daughter and son-in-law, promising to support this child in her faith journey. The priest reminded us all of our responsibility to help guide this newest member of the Church.
Following the church service, we gathered at my daughter’s home for a luncheon celebration. The baptismal candle burned brightly at the center of the table, symbolizing the light of Christ now burning in Lily’s soul. Four generations sat around that table, sharing stories of faith and family that Lily will one day know.
As someone who has witnessed many sacraments throughout my years, there remains something uniquely moving about baptism. The beginning of a spiritual journey holds such promise and possibility. My prayer is that Lily grows to find the same comfort, guidance, and community in her faith that has sustained our family through both challenges and blessings.
Please keep Lily and her parents in your prayers as they begin this sacred responsibility of raising a child in faith.
With a full and thankful heart,
Margaret Johnson
Proud Grandmother
Holy Trinity Parish
Dallas, Texas
6. Adult Baptism Notification – Personal Journey
Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Loved Ones,
With deep joy and humility, I share that I received the Sacrament of Baptism on Easter Vigil, April 19, 2025, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Reverend Elizabeth Matthews performed the ceremony that marked the culmination of my two-year faith journey.
Many of you have witnessed parts of this spiritual path, offering support and asking thoughtful questions that helped clarify my own understanding. What began as casual attendance at services gradually deepened into a search for meaning that ultimately led to this commitment. Looking back, I can see how various life experiences were preparing me for this decision.
The baptism itself was profound beyond what I had anticipated. Standing before the congregation in white garments, publicly affirming my faith after months of study and reflection, I felt a sense of homecoming unlike anything previous. The water, cool against my head, seemed to wash away old doubts and hesitations, leaving clarity and purpose.
My sponsor, Janet, has been an invaluable guide throughout this process. Her patient answers to my countless questions and her lived example of faith provided a model of what authentic Christian life looks like day to day. When she placed her hand on my shoulder during the ceremony, the connection to a broader tradition became tangible.
Following baptism, I also received first communion, completing my initiation into the church community. The bread and wine, now full of new meaning, connected me to centuries of believers who have participated in this same sacred meal. The physical elements of these sacraments—water, bread, wine—transformed abstract beliefs into tangible experience.
This step represents not an endpoint but a beginning. The classes and preparation were just the foundation for a lifetime of growth and service. My commitment now involves regular study of scripture, active participation in church community, and finding ways to live these principles in my professional and personal life.
Thank you to everyone who has respected and supported this deeply personal decision. Your questions, encouragement, and sometimes simply your willingness to listen have been gifts along this path.
With newfound peace,
Thomas Anderson
Newly Baptized Christian
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Seattle, Washington
7. Child’s First Reconciliation – Parent’s Reflection
Dear Family Members and Faith Community,
Our son, Jackson William Cooper, received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Father Robert Johnson heard the first confessions of Jackson and his classmates in a special afternoon service.
Preparing Jackson for this sacrament prompted meaningful family discussions about forgiveness, responsibility, and growth. His questions often surprised us with their depth, leading to conversations that strengthened our own understanding of reconciliation. Children truly can become our teachers when we listen carefully to their perspectives.
The day itself was organized thoughtfully by our parish. The children gathered first for a short prayer service that emphasized God’s loving mercy rather than fear or shame. They practiced one last time with their catechists, reviewing the steps of the sacrament and the act of contrition they had memorized. Jackson clutched his small examination of conscience card, taking this responsibility quite seriously.
Watching from the pews as each child took their turn entering the reconciliation room, parents exchanged knowing glances—a mix of pride and emotion shared without words. When Jackson emerged from his first confession, the look of peace on his face told us everything. “My heart feels lighter,” he said simply, a profound theological truth expressed in a child’s words.
After all the children had received the sacrament, the parish hosted a small celebration with cookies and juice. The children received certificates and small crosses as mementos of the day. What struck me most was the sense of community—parents, grandparents, catechists, and clergy all participating in guiding these young people through an important spiritual milestone.
This sacrament holds special significance as it prepares Jackson for his First Communion in the spring. Learning about reconciliation before eucharist teaches children about preparing our hearts to receive grace—a lesson valuable at any age. Jackson now understands that making mistakes is part of being human, but so is the opportunity to begin again.
Thank you to everyone who supported Jackson through prayers and encouragement. These sacramental moments are truly community celebrations.
With appreciation,
Daniel and Katherine Cooper
Parents
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Denver, Colorado
8. Holy Orders Notification – Family Announcement
Dear Extended Family, Friends, and Parish Community,
Our family is blessed beyond measure to announce that our son, Brother Thomas James Wilson, received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and was ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bishop Michael Rodriguez presided over the ordination ceremony.
This culminates Thomas’s eight-year journey through seminary formation, a path that tested and strengthened his vocation through academic study, pastoral assignments, and spiritual direction. Many of you have supported him through your prayers, correspondence, and encouragement during challenging periods of discernment and growth.
The ordination ceremony was filled with ancient symbolism and profound meaning. Watching Thomas prostrate himself before the altar in complete surrender to God’s will brought tears to our eyes. The laying on of hands by the bishop and other priests, a gesture that traces back to the apostles, visibly transmitted the ministry that now passes to a new generation of shepherds.
When Thomas’s hands were anointed with chrism oil, consecrating them for their sacred purpose of blessing and consecrating, the magnitude of this vocation became tangible. These same hands that once built sandcastles as a child and threw footballs as a teenager will now hold the Eucharist and offer absolution. The moment he was vested in his priestly stole and chasuble transformed him visibly into the priest he had become spiritually.
Following the Mass, Father Thomas gave his first blessings to family members and friends. Kneeling before our son to receive his blessing brought our family story full circle—we who had blessed him nightly as a child now received his blessing as a priest of God. This reversal contains a mystery and beauty difficult to express in words.
Father Thomas celebrated his first Mass on Sunday at our home parish of St. Joseph’s, where his vocation was first nurtured. Seeing him at the altar where he once served as an altar boy completed a journey that began nearly twenty years ago. His homily on vocation as response to love rather than accomplishment touched many hearts.
Your presence, cards, and gifts have meant so much to both Father Thomas and our family. Please continue to pray for him as he begins his first assignment as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s Church in Greenfield.
With hearts full of gratitude,
James and Margaret Wilson
Parents
St. Joseph’s Parish
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
9. Anointing of the Sick – Family Update
Dear Loving Family and Caring Friends,
We wish to inform you that our father, William Robert Thompson, received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in his hospital room at Mercy Medical Center. Father James Johnson from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish administered this sacrament of healing and comfort.
Many of you have asked how to support Dad during this challenging health crisis. Your prayers, visits, and messages already provide tremendous comfort. We wanted to share that Dad has now received this sacrament, which brought him noticeable peace during a difficult time. His faith remains a steady source of strength for him and for all of us.
The ceremony itself was brief but powerful. Father Johnson explained each step clearly, helping Dad participate as fully as possible despite his weakened condition. The anointing with blessed oil on his forehead and hands was accompanied by prayers for healing, strength, and peace. Though simple, these gestures carried profound meaning and connection to centuries of faith tradition.
What touched us most was how this sacrament ministered not only to Dad but to our entire family gathered in the hospital room. The prayers acknowledged the reality of suffering while placing it within a context of hope and divine presence. Mom, especially, found comfort in these sacred moments that affirmed the dignity of Dad’s journey even through illness.
Following the anointing, Dad received Holy Communion, which he described as “strength for the road ahead.” His face visibly relaxed after receiving these sacraments, and the anxiety that had been present seemed to lift somewhat. The nurse who checked on him later commented on the peaceful atmosphere that remained in the room.
Dad wanted us to share this update with his wider circle of friends and family. He feels your prayers and draws courage from the knowledge that he faces these health challenges surrounded by both earthly and heavenly support. The communion of saints becomes more meaningful to all of us during such times.
We will continue to update you on Dad’s condition. For now, he remains hospitalized but stable. Your continued prayers, practical support for Mom, and messages of encouragement help sustain our family through this journey.
With appreciation for your care,
The Thompson Family
Robert, Susan, and Michael
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
Cincinnati, Ohio
10. Bar/Bat Mitzvah Announcement – Interfaith Family Context
Dear Family and Friends from All Faith Backgrounds,
We are delighted to share that our daughter, Rachel Elizabeth Goldstein-Johnson, celebrated her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Temple Beth Shalom. Rabbi David Stern and Cantor Sarah Levine led the service where Rachel read from the Torah for the first time as a Jewish adult.
This milestone holds particular significance in our interfaith family. Though technically not a sacrament in the Catholic tradition that forms half of our family heritage, this ceremony marks Rachel’s full participation in the Jewish community and her acceptance of religious responsibility. The values celebrated—study, tradition, and ethical commitment—resonate across both our faith traditions.
Rachel spent over a year preparing for this day, studying Hebrew, learning her Torah portion, and completing a community service project at the local food bank. Her dedication impressed both her Jewish and Catholic relatives, who watched her grow in confidence and spiritual maturity throughout this process. She specifically requested that readings and traditions from both sides of her heritage be incorporated where appropriate.
During the service, Rachel read from the Torah scroll with poise and clarity, chanting the ancient words that have connected Jewish people across centuries. Her commentary on the text showed thoughtful engagement with its ethical implications for modern life. Both sets of grandparents participated in passing the Torah through the generations, a poignant symbol in our blended family context.
Rachel also spoke movingly about her interfaith background, describing it not as a source of confusion but as a gift that has taught her to see beyond differences to shared human values. Her Catholic grandparents beamed with as much pride as her Jewish ones, a testament to how love transcends religious boundaries while still honoring distinct traditions.
The celebration afterward included foods from both cultural traditions and music that reflected our family’s diverse heritage. Many guests commented on how the event successfully honored Rachel’s Jewish milestone while acknowledging the fullness of her identity and family story. Creating space for authentic celebration without diminishing either tradition has been our goal throughout her upbringing.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Rachel’s religious education and identity development. Your presence at this event and your ongoing encouragement mean everything to our family.
With joy and gratitude,
David Goldstein and Sarah Johnson
Parents
Temple Beth Shalom
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
11. Eucharistic Adoration Experience – Personal Notification
Dear Prayer Group Members and Spiritual Friends,
I feel moved to share with you a profound spiritual experience. Though not formally considered a sacrament, I participated in Eucharistic Adoration for the first time on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Holy Name Parish’s Perpetual Adoration Chapel. This encounter with the Blessed Sacrament has deepened my appreciation for the Eucharist in unexpected ways.
Many of you have mentioned the transformative potential of adoration, but I approached my first hour with some uncertainty. Would I know how to pray for a full hour? Would the silence feel uncomfortable? Would anything significant actually happen? These questions filled my mind as I entered the small, dimly lit chapel where others knelt in silent prayer before the displayed Host.
Finding a spot in the back pew, I knelt and simply gazed at the monstrance, trying to quiet my racing thoughts. The first fifteen minutes felt challenging as my mind jumped between distractions, my grocery list, work concerns, and wondering if I was “doing this right.” Gradually, however, something shifted. The silence ceased being uncomfortable and became instead a space of possibility.
What surprised me most was how this time differed from my usual prayer experiences. There was a tangible quality to praying in the physical presence of the Eucharist that affected me deeply. Without dramatic visions or emotional overwhelm, I nevertheless experienced a gentle certainty of being truly in the presence of Christ. The theological concept of Real Presence became experiential rather than theoretical.
During that hour, several parishioners quietly came and went, each adding to the sense of communal worship despite the silence. An elderly man two pews ahead prayed his rosary, a young mother briefly visited with her sleeping infant, a teenager stopped in wearing sports uniform—each acknowledging the sacred presence in their own way. This ongoing procession reminded me that adoration connects us not only vertically to God but horizontally to the broader body of believers.
Since that first experience, I have committed to a weekly hour of adoration. Each week brings different prayers, challenges, and insights, but the centering effect remains consistent. This practice has begun influencing how I experience Sunday Mass as well, bringing new awareness to the Eucharist at the center of our worship.
Thank you for encouraging me to try this devotional practice that has added a new dimension to my spiritual life.
In Christ’s peace,
Catherine Miller
Parishioner
Holy Name Parish
Atlanta, Georgia
12. Quinceañera Celebration – Cultural-Religious Milestone
Dear Beloved Family and Friends,
With hearts full of gratitude, we announce that our daughter, Isabella Maria Rodriguez, celebrated her Quinceañera Mass on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Father Miguel Sanchez presided over this beautiful ceremony marking Isabella’s transition from childhood to young womanhood.
While not one of the seven sacraments, this blessing ceremony holds deep religious and cultural significance in our Latino heritage. Isabella spent six months preparing through classes at our parish, learning about the responsibilities of Christian womanhood and the cultural history of this tradition that connects her to generations of women in our family.
The ceremony blended rich religious symbolism with cultural traditions. Isabella processed into church escorted by her parents and accompanied by her court of honor—fourteen friends who have shared her childhood journey. She carried a bouquet of white roses that she later placed at the feet of the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking for guidance as she grows into adulthood.
During the Mass, Isabella renewed her baptismal promises, affirming her commitment to live her faith as a young adult. The blessing of the symbols—her tiara, medal, Bible, rosary, and ring—connected material gifts with their deeper spiritual meaning. When Father Sanchez blessed the tiara before her godparents placed it on her head, the moment symbolized her transition from child to young woman under God’s protection.
The last petal ceremony was particularly moving, as Isabella presented roses to significant people in her life, beginning with her parents and grandparents. Her words of gratitude to each person brought tears to many eyes, revealing the thoughtful young woman she has become. The final rose was placed before the image of Our Lady, connecting Isabella to both her faith and her cultural heritage.
Following Mass, we celebrated with a reception where Isabella shared the traditional first dance with her father, followed by the family dance that included godparents and grandparents. The contrast between her childhood photos displayed around the hall and the poised young woman on the dance floor highlighted the significance of this transitional moment.
Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported this milestone. Your presence, gifts, and prayers have contributed to forming Isabella into the person she is becoming.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Antonio and Carmen Rodriguez
Parents
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
San Antonio, Texas
13. Holy Communion for Homebound Parishioner
Dear Parish Family and Prayer Circle,
I wish to express profound gratitude for the blessing of receiving Holy Communion at home on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Deacon Michael Williams from St. Anthony’s Parish brought the Eucharist to my home, where several family members gathered to participate in this meaningful ritual.
As many of you know, health limitations have prevented my attendance at Mass for the past three months. This physical separation from the parish community has been one of the most difficult aspects of my current health situation. The opportunity to receive the Eucharist has reconnected me to the Body of Christ in both its physical and communal forms.
Deacon Williams transformed my simple living room into a space of worship. He arranged a small altar with a white cloth, crucifix, and candle on the coffee table. This attention to creating sacred space within my everyday surroundings helped bridge the gap between church sanctuary and home. The familiar prayers and responses brought the rhythm of Mass into my home.
What touched me deeply was how this communion service included not only the Eucharist itself but elements that connected me to the broader parish life. Deacon Williams brought the weekly bulletin, shared parish news, and conveyed personal greetings from fellow parishioners. These thoughtful inclusions reminded me that church community extends beyond physical gathering space.
My grandchildren participated by helping prepare the space and responding to prayers. This unexpected aspect allowed me to witness their growing faith in a new context, something I had feared missing during this period of illness. Seeing them reverent and engaged in this home setting reassured me that faith formation continues even through these challenging circumstances.
The Eucharist itself—Christ truly present—brought comfort beyond words. There is something profoundly moving about receiving communion when physical suffering is part of daily reality. The sacrament speaks directly to the experience of limitation and vulnerability, offering presence rather than quick solutions or easy answers.
Thank you to everyone who has made these home visits possible through your support of our parish’s homebound ministry. Your commitment to ensuring that all members remain connected to sacramental life reflects Christ’s concern for each individual sheep in his flock.
With a grateful heart,
Eleanor Thompson
Parishioner
St. Anthony’s Parish
New Orleans, Louisiana
14. Confirmation for Adult Convert – Personal Reflection
Dear Mentors and Fellow Parishioners,
Grace and peace to you all as I share that I received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Bishop Thomas Anderson administered the sacrament to our group of adult candidates, completing my initiation into the Catholic Church.
This milestone arrives after a three-year journey that began with casual questions, developed through RCIA classes, and deepened through relationship with this faith community. Many of you have played crucial roles along this path—answering questions, sharing your own faith stories, and modeling what lived Catholicism looks like in daily life.
Preparing for Confirmation as an adult differs significantly from the typical adolescent experience. Coming to this sacrament with life experience—career disappointments, relationship struggles, personal failures, and small triumphs—provided context for understanding both my need for spiritual strength and the reality of ongoing conversion. The Holy Spirit has been working in my life long before this formal acknowledgment.
Choosing St. Teresa of Avila as my confirmation saint connected me to a spiritual mentor whose practical wisdom and mystical depth speak to both the activist and contemplative aspects of my personality. Her famous prayer “Christ has no body now but yours” particularly challenges me to live my faith through concrete action in the world.
My sponsor, Mark, exemplifies the type of faith-filled man I aspire to become—committed to family, generous with community, faithful in religious practice without self-righteousness. His hand on my shoulder during the anointing symbolized the human support that makes spiritual growth possible. We are never meant to journey alone.
The chrism oil, fragrant and substantial, created a physical connection to an invisible reality. As the Bishop traced the cross on my forehead, saying “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit,” something settled within me—not dramatic fireworks but quiet certainty that this commitment marks both an ending and beginning. Some questions resolve while new ones emerge on this ongoing journey.
Following the Mass, our parish hosted a reception where I was touched by how many of you offered congratulations and shared what my journey has meant to your own faith. Your words reminded me that conversion affects not only the individual but ripples throughout the community in ways we may never fully recognize.
Thank you for walking alongside me these past years. Your welcome has made this church truly feel like home.
In gratitude,
Richard Peterson
Newly Confirmed Catholic
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish
Portland, Oregon
15. Ordination of Deacon – Community Announcement
Dear Parish Family and Friends,
With joy and thanksgiving, we announce that our brother in Christ, Stephen Michael Johnson, received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and was ordained to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Holy Spirit Cathedral. Archbishop Thomas Williams presided over this sacred celebration.
This ordination culminates five years of formation, during which Stephen balanced rigorous theological studies with family responsibilities and professional work. His wife, Martha, has been an equal partner in this journey, her own commitment making his vocation possible. Their children have also supported this path through their patience and understanding as family time often gave way to study and ministry requirements.
The ordination ceremony contained powerful moments that emphasized the servant nature of the diaconate. Watching Stephen prostrate himself before the altar symbolized his surrender to God’s purposes. The laying on of hands connected him to an unbroken line of ministry stretching back to the apostles. When he was vested with stole and dalmatic, these outward signs reflected the inward transformation taking place.
Archbishop Williams reminded all present that the diaconate embodies Christ the Servant rather than Christ the High Priest. Deacons stand at the intersection of altar and world, bringing the needs of the community to the liturgy and carrying the grace of the sacraments back to those in need. Stephen’s professional background in social work makes this bridge-building role particularly fitting.
Following the ordination, Deacon Stephen assisted at Mass for the first time, proclaiming the Gospel and preparing the altar—roles he will now fulfill regularly in our parish. His voice, familiar from years of lector service, carried new authority as he read the sacred text and offered the Prayer of the Faithful. Seeing him distribute communion as an ordinary minister brought tears to many eyes.
At the reception afterward, the long line of parishioners waiting to receive Deacon Stephen’s first blessing demonstrated how much his ministry already means to our community. His humble words of thanks acknowledged all who had supported his formation, particularly noting how the parish community had both challenged and nurtured his vocation.
Deacon Stephen will continue his professional work while serving our parish community on weekends and evenings. His primary ministerial assignments will include marriage preparation, baptismal instruction, and coordinating our parish outreach to the local homeless shelter—all extensions of the diaconal call to service.
Please keep Deacon Stephen and his family in your prayers as they adjust to this new reality of ordained ministry.
United in Christ’s service,
Father Thomas Wilson
Pastor
Holy Spirit Parish
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Wrap-up: Notification Letters for Sacred Moments
The fifteen sample letters presented above demonstrate how written notifications can meaningfully communicate the significance of sacramental moments. Each letter captures both the universal aspects of these sacred rites and the unique personal contexts in which they occur.
These notifications serve multiple purposes. They inform extended community members who could not attend the ceremonies. They create a written record of significant spiritual milestones for family archives.