The past years of formation had helped him grow in his faith and now he is interested in joining a ministry at the parish. Fortunately for him his sponsor was very encouraging and happily offered her advice.
Sponsors play a large role in the lives of the confirmandi. They are guides who share in the person’s journey toward Confirmation by offering prayers, experience and their own example.
“Youth choose a sponsor to accompany them in their walk with God,” Bishop Barnes said during a Confirmation Mass. “Think what a privilege that is. I believe they see Christ in you. Continue to be that face of Christ for them.”
This year more than 7,500 people were fully initiated into the Catholic faith in the Diocese through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The task of choosing a sponsor may be daunting for some, but for others it is an easy choice. When it came to choosing his sponsor Esparza looked to Angeli Fernandez, a family friend.
“I was looking for someone who was special and inspirational,” Esparza said. “She sings at church and has a beautiful voice.”
Fernandez has been a part of the music ministry at the parish for several years. It was in this ministry that the two families met and developed a close relationship. Esparza, who plans to join the choir, found it easy to choose Fernandez as his sponsor.
During their formation, teens are asked to look for someone whom they can trust and whose faith they admire. For some, that person may be a relative or close friend, for others it may be someone from the parish community.
“She is my brother’s friend,” said Yasmine Gutierrez, a parishioner at St. Edward, Corona. “She has always been like a sister to me.”
Gutierrez chose Melody Castaneda as her sponsor because she wanted someone with whom she was already close. Since accepting that role Castaneda has seen her relationship with Gutierrez grow and evolve.
“For me to be able to share my faith like that, I was really happy she asked me,” Castaneda said. “I feel I’m not only a friend but more like a sister. I have more of a responsibility now to make sure she is being good.”
Aside from participating in the Rite of Confirmation, sponsors are expected to nurture their relationship after Confirmation. The relationship between the two is a lifelong commitment that is meant to assist the confirmed in enriching their faith.
For Melissa Taylor, a parishioner at Sacred Heart, Rancho Cucamonga and sponsor of two teens this year, her prayer is to be a continued source of support for her confirmandi.
“One thing I am really striving for is being there for whenever they need me,” Taylor said. “I really want to be only a phone call away for them, so they know they can come to me. They have pushed me to be better.”