On Tuesday 26 August 2025, 40 adults from across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta.
The candidates, ranging from teenagers to grandparents, had already been baptised and received the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion, but were now completing their initiation into the Church through Confirmation.
Each year, the Diocese of Parramatta offers the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral for adults. This provides an opportunity for those who have been baptised, received the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, but are not yet Confirmed, to complete their initiation into the Catholic faith.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, confirms Roberto during the 2025 Diocesan Adult Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in August. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Learning to live the Catholic faith boldly
In preparation, the candidates gathered at the Bishop Bede Heather Centre in Blacktown for a full day of catechesis, learning about the Sacramental Grace of Confirmation and how the Holy Spirit strengthens Catholics to live and share their faith boldly.
They learned that the Sacrament of Confirmation moves one from being a receiver of God’s Word to being a doer of God’s Word.
During the Sacrament of Confirmation, the candidates received the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit – Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord – to help them live as disciples of Jesus.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, delivers the homily during the 2025 Diocesan Adult Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in August. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
A message of hope this Jubilee
During his homily, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, welcomed the candidates, their families and parish communities “with great joy and hope” as he acknowledged the completion of the initiation process.
“We are committed to accompanying, supporting and caring for one another in the journey of faith,” Bishop Vincent said.
“We are not a perfect people or a perfect Church. We are very much the Church with the human face, with its share of warts and wounds,” he said.
“Yet it is through the strength of the spirit that we endeavour to be the Church that epitomises God’s loving presence, deep pathos and unwavering solidarity with the suffering.”
Reflecting on the early Christian community, Bishop Vincent reminded the congregation that their faith was not to be lived in isolation.
“In the face of incredible odds, they showed to the world what it was like to be a force of leaven,” he said.
“Against the prevalent system of competition, greed and zero-sum game, they offered the alternative relational paradigm – modelled on Jesus’ teaching and example.”
Candidates are seen during the 2025 Diocesan Adult Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in August. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Drawing on the Gospel, Bishop Vincent spoke of the Church’s mission to stand with the vulnerable.
“Jesus gave us an example of using the gifts in service of the Kingdom. The Gospel tells us that he is the one who brings the good news to the poor, freedom to captives, new sight to the blind and dignity to the downtrodden,” he said.
“His whole existence was dedicated to service, especially service to the most marginalised and vulnerable.”
He urged the newly confirmed to embrace this same mission.
“Consequently, empowering the powerless is the business model of the community of disciples,” he said.
“We have no other goal worth achieving more than loving the unloved, serving the underserved, seeking out the lost and forgotten.”
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, confirms Kristela, an expecting mother, during the 2025 Diocesan Adult Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in August. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Looking to the Jubilee Year, Bishop Vincent reminded all present that Pope Francis called us all to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
“It is an invitation to renew our hope and to be the bearer of the hope we share,” he said.
“Only by caring for one another, for the most vulnerable and for all creation, can we harness the energy of love and embody the incarnate God.”
Finally, he prayed, “Let us commit ourselves to be the Church that strengthens the weak, heals the broken-hearted, lifts up the fallen and invites all to the communion of love. May we become God’s priestly and holy people, anointed to serve.”
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, with newly confirmed Marcus (centre left) and Ruby (centre right) and their families following the 2025 Diocesan Adult Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, in August. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
View the photos on Flickr.
If you know of anyone wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as an adult, please contact the Office for Worship team.
The adult confirmations align with our Diocesan Pastoral Plan objective to be A Church Renewed in Spirit and Prayer. To learn more, visit Synodality.
