8^th Grade Service and Confirmation

The 8^th grade class was very committed to serving their community this year, and in early May had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Duluth to serve people in the community, prepare for their Confirmation, and have fun as a class. The students participated in service projects at local food shelves and soup kitchens in the Duluth area, and even though some had to take on some less-than-desirable jobs, they did it with a positive attitude, and it was great for all of us to see the huge difference that we made by giving just a few hours of our time. In addition to the service projects, the students also enjoyed staying at a hotel with an indoor waterpark, and a highlight for many was spending an afternoon at Canal Park where they had a chance to explore and just hang out.

On Thursday, May 8^th, sixteen of our 8^th grade students and four religious education students were confirmed at the Cathedral in St. Paul. Bishop Pates administered the sacrament and encouraged the newly confirmed to fully utilize the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They all demonstrated poise and grace as they went forward to be confirmed, and it was so exciting to watch them take such an important step in their faith journey.