By Felicia Aguan
KOTA SENTOSA — On 18 October 2025, Sacred Heart Church, Kota Sentosa was filled with joy and reverence as His Grace Archbishop Simon Poh conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 294 candidates from Sacred Heart Church (Sam Hap Hin), St Mark’s, and the chapels under the parish.
During his homily, Archbishop Simon reminded the candidates that at the moment of anointing with the Sacred Chrism, when he traced the Sign of the Cross on their foreheads, each one was sealed with the Holy Spirit.
“When you are anointed with the oil, you are already sealed with the Holy Spirit,” he said. “That means you belong to God – you have been marked. We belong to Jesus until we die.”
He went on to explain that this “seal” of the Holy Spirit marks a lifelong belonging to Christ. From Baptism, when parents brought their child to the altar, to First Holy Communion, when one steps forward to receive the Body of Christ, each sacrament draws the faithful closer to God. In Confirmation, the candidates now come on their own, to freely and consciously renew their faith and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
His Grace encouraged the candidates to treasure this moment deeply, “Today, you are marked and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Wherever you go in life, always look for the Catholic Church. No matter how far you travel, when you find the Catholic Church, that is your home, that is your family.”
He reminded them that being sealed by the Spirit is not just an honour but a mission, to live as true Catholics in faith, prayer, and good works, to seek strength from God, and to avoid temptations and all that leads one away from Christ.
The celebration was filled with faith and youthful joy. Hundreds of candidates came forward one by one, accompanied by their sponsors, to receive the anointing that marks them forever as God’s own.
“Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
