St. Mary and St. Anthony Parishes prepared candidates for the completion of Christian Initiation.

We had two candidates from St. Anthony’s Parish in Box Elder and three candidates from St. Mary’s in Rocky Boy. Joining these candidates were two catechumens who were baptized, confirmed and received first Holy Communion.

The youth attended a retreat inspired by the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. The first day of the retreat focused on the Eucharist and helped the participants to understand Jesus’ death and the great sacrifice He made for us. The second day of the retreat focused on reconciliation. We explored Scripture parables to help the children understand forgiveness. We also celebrated the Sacrament of First Reconciliation and the children continued to explore forgiveness with their families. The candidates decorated a white candle to remind each of them that they carry the light of Christ with them always and have received forgiveness from God.

We explored Confirmation and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The candidates chose a saint that meant something to them, and took that saint as their Confirmation name. This year we celebrated first Holy Communion and Confirmation with St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Havre, Montana. Bishop Jeffrey Fleming joined Father Dan Wathen and Father Joseph Tran to confirm the candidates from the three parishes. Our religious education programs strive to inspire the children to foster a life-long loving relationship with God.