The 2025 Confirmation class of Holy Redeemer Parish in Beaver Dam are taking their journey to being confirmed very seriously. COURTESY OF GAIL CRITCHELOW

BY GAIL CRITCHELOW, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC

The 2025 Confirmation class of Holy Redeemer Parish in Beaver Dam are taking their journey to being confirmed very seriously. Taking on the theme of “Here to Serve,” the class have red t-shirts they wear at the Masses they attend every weekend to greet and help all parishioners, especially those in wheelchairs and the elderly as they enter church for Mass. Their journey to “serve” is teaching them the value of giving of themselves without expectation of getting anything in return. The following comments are from the class as they share individually what the phrase “Here to Serve” means to them.

Andres Garcia: Those are the exact same words Jesus said to his disciples, and these words have been carried on for generations and now it has made it to us. Serving people is hard but even so, Jesus tells us to serve anyway and we will get our reward.

Nayeli Menjivar: It means to me helping elderly people or anybody else, and having a kind heart and not judge people. Here to Serve helps teens like me to help out knowing that the Lord God did the same thing.

Leslie Guillen: It means to me helping me get closer to God and help our community.

Jazmin Menjivar: To me it means helping others if they need anything during Mass and making sure they know they are welcomed to our church.

Ave Avila: It means we are to serve other people no matter where they are from and to be kind to each other.

Brandly Corona: It means I am here to help others and serve God and that I am responsible to be here when I choose to volunteer. I want to show inspiration to my peers and encourage others to come to the Catholic church.

Carter Burdette: It is a symbol of helpfulness, kindness and the way to help our community. When I was wearing my shirt, a man told me that he really liked my shirt because his brother always said the same thing. It gave me a sense of pride that we aren’t the only ones and even though I may only be handing out papers in front of the church, it means so much more.

Zoey Wise: To me it means I am here to serve the community and my church.

Vanessa Bautista: When I hear “to serve” to me it means I am here to meet and help people.

Juana Gregorio: It means to me that I can greet and help people.

Maria F. Grajales: It means to me helping other people and that is good.

Greidys Sandria-Arce: Wearing my “Here to Serve” shirt means to help serve our community and others and helping our church be better every day! We represent kindness and our church.

Eva Payne: “Here to Serve” – the act of serving shows love and humbleness. These are not just simple words on a shirt, they represent us all acting as Jesus would have and helping others. It shows the opportunity that everyone can help no matter their social standpoint, and it represents being active in your community to work towards growing as a group.

Kyra Webster: It means that I am a part of this Church, that I am a child of God. I get the opportunity to serve my church and show my community I’m proud to be a Catholic. Bu also during my journey of Confirmation I get to help others and become closer with the Catholic community. It is a great opportunity to show people I want to be here and I want to be Catholic, but most of all to show Jesus and God that I respect them and their house of God.

Anna Payne: My shirt means a lot to me as a whole. When I put on this shirt the whole atmosphere changes. I become a pillar for the church and take over the responsibilities and duties that wearing the shirt brings. I wear this shirt with pride and honor knowing I am able to be in a position to help my church and community. I am so joyful to be part of a church community that partakes in many helpful ways for its people. Our church does this to represent Jesus and all of His kindness and giving to others, meaning we serve like Him and for Him.

Maria J. Grajales: I think it means to help people who need help during Mass and we wear the shirts so they know who is here to help them whenever.

Angie Abundio: It means to me is putting yourself out there and giving out to people to serve. The shirt that states this quote has me feeling like a good person since I’m making it clear to people out there that I’m there at church to serve.

Emily Valdez-Tejeda: It means having the knowledge of all good things that happen in a beautiful church that has patience for all of us.

Skyler Webster: This program is important to me because it allows me to give back to the church. This program teaches me responsibility while also allowing me to connect with church members.  My red shirt shows my love for my community and church.

Aretzy Abundio: It means to me that wherever I go I’ll always serve the Lord, and how I present Him with how I lead and help others.

Hadrian Kramer: It means to me to serve by helping those in need and being more focused to church and God.  Also to be more prepared, since we are going to be the new generation of Catholics and being more engaged in church by wearing the red shirts and singing the songs so people will see you as ready young adults and see how you are ready to take on the responsibility of the church. 

Tristan S. Arce: It means helping my community and being a bigger part of my church.  When I wear that shirt I feel empowered because I am helping the Lord by helping others. Even if I’m not doing much I know it will lead to bigger and better things, because even just a greeting can make someone’s day.

Jonah Payne: The shirts mean to be present in the church and the community. But to me it means to help and be active. It shows love and kindness to the people of the church.

Maria L. Gomez: For me the shirt means I show that I love God more than anyone else and he is my salvation in this life. He gives me life every day and takes care of me everywhere. I love Him so much and I would never stop loving Him and I go to church to show people that I do love God and God for me is very important to me in this life.  He is the first in my life and the shirt represents God and for God I would do whatever.

Juana Lopez: For me, my “Here to Serve” shirt is very important because it represents my church and Jesus and I love to come to church.         

Ketzia Mora-Arce: It means to me is to actively contribute and help others within the church community.  It demonstrates love and compassion through actions like volunteering, supporting others, helping others, and fulfilling needs where possible. It emphasizes the idea of selflessness and putting others’ needs before your own. It shows responsibility and accountability.

Gail Critchelow is the religious education coordinator for Holy Redeemer Parish in Beaver Dam.

Originally printed in the May 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.