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Confirmation Reflections by Velina Hasu Houston
The days prior to my confirmation, I contemplated the meaning of Confirmation, both in spiritual and literal terms. I came to a personal understanding of Confirmation as a way of bringing a richer level of authenticity to my life and my life's work. Having been raised in the Shinto faith, I was introduced to the Anglican faith and baptized as an adult. Despite my Shinto roots that are very much a part of my life today, it was important that my children, Kiyoshi and Kuniko-Leilani, grow up in a Christian church that would give them a Judeo-Christian context for existing in our society, even if they choose to make different spiritual choices for themselves later in life. Being confirmed in the Anglican faith along with my son, Kiyoshi, who came to Saint Augustine's as a toddler and is now almost sixteen, was a poignant experience for me. It added value to my faith and also fortified my commitment to my mission in life, which is to heal and bring together human beings via the literary and theatrical arts. While I was moved by the beautiful simplicity of the Bishop's service overall, what touched me most was to see children who have been with the church since they were toddlers being confirmed as teenagers. As the Bishop laid hands upon them and spoke the liturgy, tears welled up in my eyes as I prayed for their futures as responsible citizens who will soon discover what gifts they have to give to humanity. With our help, they will find their missions in life and they will be missions with meaning. With their help, we can find richer meaning in life, too. Confirmation reminded me and served to uphold the reality that we are a collective humanity that, in serving each other, serves our faith.
Copyright © 2002 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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