THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witness to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Next Saturday Bishop Hegarty comes to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our seventy-four P.7 children.

In Confirmation the Holy Spirit gives us the grace to follow Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives us the grace to become more loving, more forgiving, more holy. The Holy Spirit helps us to become more like Jesus.

Jesus wants us to follow him, one step at a time. He wants us to begin with the little things. He wants us to keep following him even when it is difficult. He wants us to follow him in everything we say and in everything we do.

In Confirmation we are called to bring credit and glory on the name of Jesus. We are called to be lights to the world. We are called to give witness that Jesus means a lot to us, and that we are proud to be his followers. Those who live like Jesus are said to be witnesses of Jesus.

We receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation to help us to work for Jesus. We receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation to help us to grow in friendship with Jesus. We receive the Holy Spirit to help us to root out the selfishness that lodges in our hearts. We receive the Holy Spirit in Confirmation to help us to give witness to Jesus.

The apostles never saw the Holy Spirit. But he came into their lives in a way that left a deep impression on them. Ideas about fire and wind helped them to express what the Holy Spirit had done for them. Fire, wind, the dove, help Christians to understand the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Please pray for the following children who will make their

Confirmation candidates

Gabrielius Andrislunas Marissa Maxwell
Darren Bonner , Jay McCay
Ruiari Boylan, Aimee McColgan
Orla Boyle, Aisling McCorkell
Molly Brennan, Catherine McDaid
Aoife Breslin, Blaine McDaid
Adam Caldwell, Chantelle McDermott
Aimi Caldwell, Leah McDonald
Shannon Caldwell, Karen McElroy
Adhamn Casey, Shane G McFadden
Demi-Nicole Clarke, Shane J McFadden
Jessica Clarke, Katie McGarrigle
Caitlin Connolly, Odhran McGarrigle
Ryan Connolly-Bjourson, Nicole McGonagle
Jamie Conway, Christopher McGrinder
Sarah Crawford, Hannah McGrinder
Cobhlaith Crossan-Robinson, Lewis McGrinder
Zara Curran, Niamh McIntyre
Anton Devine, Emma McKane
Kareena Devlin, Phoebe McLaughlin
Naomi Doherty, Eoin McNulty
Jamie Doran, Douglas McNulty
Kyle Edwards, Tara McNulty
Niall Elliott, Taome Mohan
Siobhan Fleming, Jade Molloy-O'Donnell
Chantelle French, Courtney Murray
Ellie Mae Gilloway, Dylan Murray
Sean Gormley, Marc Murray
Toni Graham, Tiarnan Nelson
Eoghan Harkin, Elisha Nicholl
Kavina Hegarty, Brooklyn O'Neill
Aoife Hume, Oran O'Neill
Tiarnan Kavanagh, Simone Parke
Caitlin Kelly, Chloe Porter
Tyrone Kelly, Laura Quigg
Niamh Kennedy, Tanya White
Sam Logue, Danni Wray.

DERRY DIOCESAN CHILD PROTECTION ANNUAL UPDATE

A lot of work has been accomplished in the area of Child Protection in the Diocese over the past number of years due to the commitment of personnel at all levels in the diocese from the Bishop through to dedicated Parish Representatives working on the ground in all parishes.

The Diocese of Derry continues to put in place those structures, personnel, policies and procedures that will try to ensure the protection and welfare of children and young people in a manner consistent with statutory requirements and Church guidelines. In the light of the teaching of the church, Civil Legislation and Guidance, every part of the Church community must be committed to taking the necessary steps to:

*Demonstrate that the right of the child to protection from harm is paramount

*Cherish and safeguard children and young people.

*Foster better practice

*Support Church organisations and personnel in safeguarding children

*Establish safe recruitment and vetting practices - aimed at preventing those who pose a risk to children from holding positions of trust

*Maintain codes of behaviour - having clear guidelines that set out what is and what is not acceptable behaviour as an essential part of keeping children safe

The Diocese now has a Child Protection Committee, Diocesan Co-ordinator, 2 Diocesan Trainers and a network of Parish Representatives.

The trainers deliver information on "best practice" and raise awareness of child protection issues; they also provide support to parishes within the Diocese. In turn the Parish Representatives will pass on this information and raise awareness within their local parish communities. This is done though information evenings that have been and continue to be held throughout the Diocese.

Notices are displayed in our churches which include the Diocesan Policy Statement, contact numbers for statutory authorities of anyone with a concern in relation to child protection or who wish to make an allegation as well as the names and contact numbers of the diocesan delegates.