Confirmation Mass at St Therese’s Moonah

Saturday 20 June 2026, 5.30pm Mass

Dear young people, parents, sponsors, parishioners, and friends,

Tonight, at half past five, the sun has already disappeared. It has been dark since before five o’clock. We are in the middle of winter, with the longest nights of the year. Here in Hobart, we know what darkness looks like.

And sometimes darkness can seem interesting. People are often fascinated by spooky things, mysterious things and things that seem a little frightening. But tonight God reminds us that Christians are never people of darkness. We are people of light.

That is why one of the most beautiful things Jesus says in the Gospel is this: “The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me.”

And tonight, candidates for Confirmation, that same Holy Spirit is given to you.

Isaiah gives us a wonderful picture of the Spirit. He speaks about wisdom and insight, counsel and strength, knowledge and fear of the Lord. They are gifts from God, not prizes to be won. They are gifts to help you become the person God created you to be.

You will have noticed that when it is dark outside, even one small torch can make a difference. It does not need to be a huge floodlight. Just one small light can change a room.

That is what God wants you to be. Not superheroes.

Just young disciples whose lives shine with kindness, courage, truth, and joy.

St Paul tells us tonight about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. When God’s Spirit is alive in us, beautiful things begin to grow. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness grow.

People should be able to see these things in us, just as surely as they can see fruit growing on a Tasmanian apple tree.

Maybe some people think that following Jesus means missing out. But Jesus never came to take away our joy. He came to give us life and to fill us with his Spirit.

That is why, over and over again, God says to us, “Be not afraid.”

Some of you may be nervous tonight. You might be worried that you might forget what to do. Perhaps you even wonder what Confirmation really means.

There is no need to be afraid.

God knows you and loves you. Long before you loved him, he loved you.

In fact, that is the message we hear deep in our hearts tonight: “I have loved you.”

Not because you are perfect, nor because you always get everything right – because you are his beloved sons and daughters.

And tonight he confirms the presence of his Holy Spirit within these young people so that they will know that they never walk alone.

In a few moments, I will anoint each one of you with Sacred Chrism and say, “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”

That seal means you belong to Christ.

It means his light shines within you.

It means that even when life becomes difficult, you are never alone, because the Lord is at your side, a mighty hero.

And when this Mass is over, you are not simply going home after a nice ceremony.

You are being sent into your families, into your schools and into your friendship groups.

You are sent to bring joy where people are sad, kindness where people are lonely, forgiveness where people are hurt, and hope where people are afraid.

Outside, the night may be dark.

But tonight, in this Church, something brighter than the stars is happening.

The Holy Spirit is coming upon these young people.

And through them, Christ’s light will shine in the darkness.

And the darkness will never overcome it.

Most Rev. Anthony J. Ireland
Archbishop of Hobart
20 June 2026.