Parish Perspectives
Pizza with the Pastor was time for fellowship, learning and fun for Confirmation candidates
February 19, 2025 at 11:37 a.m.
In a warm and inviting setting at a restaurant in Hamilton, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio hosted a unique event for the Confirmation candidates in his parish, Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, Hamilton -- a pizza dinner with the pastor. Along with enjoying a meal together, the gathering provided the candidates an opportunity to be nurtured in their Catholic faith as they engaged in meaningful conversations about their spiritual journey in an informal, yet profound way.
The candidates, who had each submitted a question a week prior to the event, were eager to discuss topics that were both relevant and insightful. Msgr. Gervasio had organized the questions into three categories: Confirmation, Theology and Personal Queries. The intent was to address the concerns and curiosities of the candidates, providing them with clear, heartfelt answers to guide them as they prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The evening was divided into three distinct parts. It began with a prayer, a moment of reflection where Msgr. Gervasio invited the group to center their hearts and minds on the sacredness of the Sacrament they were about to experience. Then came the much-anticipated pizza, which Msgr. Gervasio happily and humbly served himself, embodying the role of a servant leader — just as Jesus taught. As the meal was shared, the pastor moved between the tables, offering slices of pizza while checking in with the candidates, creating a sense of personal connection and attentiveness. His service was a gentle reminder of Christ’s call to love and serve one another.
After dinner, Msgr. Gervasio resumed the conversation, diving deeper into the questions that the candidates had submitted. This year’s questions focused largely on the Sacrament of Confirmation, in which the candidates showed a genuine desire to understand the significance of this important step in their faith journeys. Some of the questions posed were: "What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation?" "How did Confirmation begin?" and "Is Confirmation necessary to be part of the Church?"
The evening also provided a chance for impromptu questions, as the candidates’ curiosity expanded beyond the pre-submitted inquiries. The attentive, engaged nature of the boys and girls was clear, as they listened intently to their pastor’s answers.
Holding the event at a restaurant proved to be an ideal way to make the interaction feel approachable. It allowed the Confirmation candidates to see that their pastor is not just a figure behind the pulpit, but someone with whom they can speak with openly and comfortably. The restaurant staff was equally delighted, noting how the guests lingered longer than usual to listen to the heartfelt conversations taking place at each table. This setting reinforced an important lesson for the young people that evangelization is not confined to the walls of the church — it can be brought out into the world, into the everyday moments of life.
As the evening came to a close, the candidates left with more than just a filled stomach; they walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and understanding. They had come together not only to learn about the Sacrament of Confirmation but to bond as a community of faith. Msgr. Gervasio’s willingness to answer their questions, share his wisdom, and serve them with humility left a lasting impression on the hearts of these young people.
The event exemplified the essence of discipleship — gathering in fellowship, seeking understanding, and carrying that knowledge with them as they prepare for the next step in their faith journey. For the 53 Confirmation candidates, the evening served as both a learning experience and a reminder that God’s love and guidance are present in all aspects of life, whether in their parish or over a slice of pizza.
Mariyam Francis is parish catechetical leader in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton.
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In a warm and inviting setting at a restaurant in Hamilton, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio hosted a unique event for the Confirmation candidates in his parish, Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, Hamilton -- a pizza dinner with the pastor. Along with enjoying a meal together, the gathering provided the candidates an opportunity to be nurtured in their Catholic faith as they engaged in meaningful conversations about their spiritual journey in an informal, yet profound way.
The candidates, who had each submitted a question a week prior to the event, were eager to discuss topics that were both relevant and insightful. Msgr. Gervasio had organized the questions into three categories: Confirmation, Theology and Personal Queries. The intent was to address the concerns and curiosities of the candidates, providing them with clear, heartfelt answers to guide them as they prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The evening was divided into three distinct parts. It began with a prayer, a moment of reflection where Msgr. Gervasio invited the group to center their hearts and minds on the sacredness of the Sacrament they were about to experience. Then came the much-anticipated pizza, which Msgr. Gervasio happily and humbly served himself, embodying the role of a servant leader — just as Jesus taught. As the meal was shared, the pastor moved between the tables, offering slices of pizza while checking in with the candidates, creating a sense of personal connection and attentiveness. His service was a gentle reminder of Christ’s call to love and serve one another.
After dinner, Msgr. Gervasio resumed the conversation, diving deeper into the questions that the candidates had submitted. This year’s questions focused largely on the Sacrament of Confirmation, in which the candidates showed a genuine desire to understand the significance of this important step in their faith journeys. Some of the questions posed were: "What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation?" "How did Confirmation begin?" and "Is Confirmation necessary to be part of the Church?"
The evening also provided a chance for impromptu questions, as the candidates’ curiosity expanded beyond the pre-submitted inquiries. The attentive, engaged nature of the boys and girls was clear, as they listened intently to their pastor’s answers.
Holding the event at a restaurant proved to be an ideal way to make the interaction feel approachable. It allowed the Confirmation candidates to see that their pastor is not just a figure behind the pulpit, but someone with whom they can speak with openly and comfortably. The restaurant staff was equally delighted, noting how the guests lingered longer than usual to listen to the heartfelt conversations taking place at each table. This setting reinforced an important lesson for the young people that evangelization is not confined to the walls of the church — it can be brought out into the world, into the everyday moments of life.
As the evening came to a close, the candidates left with more than just a filled stomach; they walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and understanding. They had come together not only to learn about the Sacrament of Confirmation but to bond as a community of faith. Msgr. Gervasio’s willingness to answer their questions, share his wisdom, and serve them with humility left a lasting impression on the hearts of these young people.
The event exemplified the essence of discipleship — gathering in fellowship, seeking understanding, and carrying that knowledge with them as they prepare for the next step in their faith journey. For the 53 Confirmation candidates, the evening served as both a learning experience and a reminder that God’s love and guidance are present in all aspects of life, whether in their parish or over a slice of pizza.
Mariyam Francis is parish catechetical leader in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton.