23 Young People Receive Confirmation in Tsakane, Brakpan
23 Confirmed at St Paul’s in Brakpan
By Kati Dijane – Cardinal Stephen Brislin conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 23 young people from St Paul’s parish and its outstations, including St Francis Xavier and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Tsakane, Brakpan, on March 23. The Mass was concelebrated with parish priest Father Michael Bennet and Father Vusi Nhlapo, with seminarian Brother Kevin of St Patrick’s Society assisting at the altar.
The confirmands, dressed in black and white, radiated excitement as they embraced this significant milestone in their faith journey.
Families, friends and the faithful filled the tent, as Mass was celebrated outside in the warm weather. The parish choir also added a special touch to the liturgy. In his homily, Cardinal Brislin reflected on the day’s readings—Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12; and Luke 13:1-9 — encouraging the young people to deepen their spirituality and relationship with God.
A call to deepen one’s faith
Cardinal Brislin shared with the youth: “Sometimes, we have many wrong ideas about God, especially when the notion of Him as a harsh, judgmental figure waiting to punish us is planted in our minds.”
“This can create distance between us and God, making it difficult to develop a real relationship with Him. That is why it is crucial to strengthen your spirituality and actively nurture your relationship with God. Like any relationship, it requires effort and should not be taken for granted.”
The cardinal emphasised that faith is more than just knowing the catechism or reciting prayers. “What truly matters is what is in your heart. Today’s reception of this sacrament marks the beginning of your spiritual journey. How can we build a personal relationship with God? By reading the Bible, learning about the teachings of the Church, and understanding the wisdom of the popes through the ages.”
Freedom from sin and the call to action
Reflecting on the first reading, the cardinal spoke about God as a deliverer. “God frees us from evil. He is a God of freedom from slavery, yet sometimes, we enslave ourselves through sinfulness.” He reminded the congregation that God is ever-present, as highlighted in the second reading.
Addressing suffering, the cardinal clarified, “Suffering does not come from God but from human actions. We have many opportunities to do good in our lives. However, we must also be mindful of the sin of omission—not taking action when we have the chance to make a difference.”
He encouraged the young people to remain steadfast in their faith despite life’s challenges. “You will face difficulties—life is not always smooth. Unfortunately, many young people give up too easily. However, you must understand that life has its ups and downs. We must persevere, remain strong and find the courage to overcome obstacles. Jesus never promised a life free of troubles, but He assured us that He would give us the strength to endure them. Trust in God, love Him and welcome Him into your hearts,” he continued.
The newly elected PPC members of the parish were then blessed by the cardinal ahead of their service to the church.
A joyous celebration
Following the Mass, an elated Khomotjo Mbatha, a catechist and member of the St Anne’s Sodality, expressed her joy at how well the day had gone. “We were eagerly anticipating this moment, and I’m very happy that everything went smoothly,” she said. Becoming a catechist two years ago, she added, had brought a deep sense of fulfilment to her life, and she remains committed to bringing people closer to God through catechism.
