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Meet Newly Confirmed Mason Epeneter: Our Youth Are the Future of the Church
In many Scripture passages, like 1 Timothy 4:12 — “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity” — we are told to expect great things from our youth. Indeed, it is often in the vibrant faith life of some of our youngest parishioners that we can find inspiration. In April, the Holy Family Area Catholic Community was blessed to witness so many of our high school students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. With the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit conferred on them through this sacrament, these young people are sure to bring abundant blessings to our parish communities!
St. James parishioner Mason Epeneter was one of the students confirmed two months ago. Like his peers, this 17-year-old junior at Dawson-Boyd High School had spent two years preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. During that time, the teens learned a lot about Church teachings and their own personal faith journeys. In addition to attending Faith Formation classes, they were asked to write essays about their desire to be confirmed and their selection of a patron saint. They also participated in faith sharing with their sponsors, mentorship within the Church, and service hours.
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Mason found the service aspect of Confirmation preparation to be particularly rewarding.
“I helped give meals around town for the hospital and I also helped my grandparents,” he says. “I helped a family friend who was handicapped, led the Rosary before Mass, and helped with the fish fry. The service projects gave me a sense of understanding of other people’s situations. It helps us not to judge others as harshly, and to be more helpful and generous in general.”
In at least one case, a Confirmation service project led to a longer commitment — Mason enjoyed leading the Rosary before Mass on Sundays so much that he continues to do so even now that his required service hours are complete.
Mason also appreciated the opportunity to deepen his faith through conversations with his Confirmation sponsor, Joann Evjen. He chose Joann as his sponsor because she is a family friend and was his ninth-grade catechist. Mason has been greatly inspired by Joann’s strong faith and her willingness to help guide him through the Confirmation process.
St. James parishioner Mason Epeneter received the Sacrament of Confirmation in April.
In keeping with the tradition of choosing a patron saint at the time of his Confirmation, Mason selected St. Thomas More, the patron saint of politicians. Mason, who is already active in local politics and hopes to continue to pursue this passion, is sure to find occasion to call upon this saint often in the future. Mason is currently serving as the Vice- Chairman of the Lac qui Parle County Republican Party and is running for the position of Vice- Chairman of Minnesota’s 7th Congressional District Republican Party.
In all he does — both in the political sphere and the classrooms of his high school — Mason turns to his Catholic faith as a guide.
“One of the main challenges of being a teenager today is the peer pressure, whether it be from friends or the media,” he says. “It helps to attend Mass weekly and to go to Reconciliation on a regular basis. I would encourage teens to choose your faith first. You can have a million different friends and a million different opportunities, but there is only one God.”
Now that he has completed the Sacraments of Initiation, Mason looks forward to an active future in the Church.
“I plan on continuing to go to Mass, of course,” he says. “Being in politics, I’ll definitely speak to being pro-life and help with that issue. Then after college, I hope to help out in whatever parish I’m in.”
With a strong foundation in the faith and a commitment to active discipleship, Mason’s future is sure to be bright. We are thankful for all of our newly confirmed youth in the Holy Family Area Catholic Community and look forward to watching them continue to grow as enthusiastic disciples of Christ!
