Two Greenville teenagers took a major step in their journey of faith during a special Mass held last weekend at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church.

High school seniors Anna Wright and Anne-Grace Hartman received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, October 2.

“We normally baptize our children as infants to begin their confirmation, with their formal religious education beginning when they are of school age,” explains Deacon Robert Bailey of Saint Elizabeth.

“Each Wednesday night we have continuing classes for the children. As high schoolers, they review the tenets of the faith and are now ready to say their ‘yes’ to God and be confirmed in the faith.”

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of the Mobile Diocese presided over Sunday’s Mass and Anna and Anne-Grace’s confirmations.  The Fourth Degree Honor Guard of the Knights of Columbus (Andalusia/Enterprise Chapter), dressed in full regalia, led the colorful procession to begin and end the service. 

“The Archbishop is the one who administered the Sacrament after giving his homily (sermon). He prayed for the Holy Spirit to come down,” Deacon Bailey said.

“The Archbishop then anointed each girl with the Oil of the Holy Chrism . . . and this actually completed the Sacrament that began with their baptism as infants.”

Deacon Bailey, who regularly assists Saint Elizabeth’s priest, Father Wayne Youngman, said it is “always a great treat” for the local parishioners to have the Archbishop in attendance at their church.

“The KC honor guard also really added to the special atmosphere of the service for these two young ladies,” he said. “Certainly, it is a milestone Anna and Anne-Grace will always remember.”

Anna, the daughter of Keith and Nancy Wright of Greenville, is a student at the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile. Anne-Grace, the daughter of David and Suzanne Hartman of Greenville, attends the LAMP Magnet School in Montgomery.