Kevin's Confirmation at the Cathedral

Our parishioner Kevin Rolston received the Sacrament of Confirmation at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver on May 11, 2019.  Below are some of Kevin's reflections of that special day:

When someone asks me how the Confirmation went, I say that is was a “bell ringer”… Literally, it began with the bells ringing! To you that may seem matter-of-fact, but for me the sound of bells is
like being in a foreign land. I grew up thinking that church bells were unnecessary — superfluous.

As the rhythm and rhyme, and resounding chimes began to cascade and echo through the Cathedral, God’s Spirit shared with me why Clarence and I noticed geese on our walk earlier that morning. The bells reminded me of when we re-opened St Hilda’s Sanctuary last fall. And as the bells rang, a gaggle of geese trumpeted like angels from heaven — making the announcement
“this is a significant event”. My spirit soared, and my heart was full of joy and honour, to be in the moment.

As the choir sang “Psalm 23” and “Shepherd me, O God”, my soul transcended to a place where I sensed the presence of my mother’s voice singing her favourite Psalm, and knew the pastoring of God’s Spirit with me, as I took this next step in my life’s journey.

After receiving the Archbishop’s prayer for strength, empowerment, and sustenance, I sat overlooking the Pascal candle. Up through the newly mounted, woven artwork, representing the descent of the Holy Spirit; I stared into the beauty of the sanctuary and knew The Spirit of Christ is present, here and now.

It was interesting that my Confirmation was on Mother’s Day weekend. The next day, I went to visit my Mom and Dad where their bodies rest. As I thanked God for my parents and for their Love and
faithfulness, I thought they probably would not have understood or approved of me getting Confirmed into the Anglican Church. But then the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Your mom and
dad are here now, and know the whole Truth — and they fully understand.”… My Peace to you.