Twenty candidates were confirmed at the Parish Mass on Sunday 10th September 2017, in Saint Leonard's Parish Church Loftus by the Bishop of Beverley, the Rt Revd Glyn Webster.
After months of preparation and pre-confirmation classes, nineteen candidates were presented to the Bishop by the Rector of Loftus-in-Cleveland and one candidate by the Vicar of Boosbeck.
Rector of Loftus Fr Adam Gaunt said, "This is a real achievement and the largest cohort of confirmation candidates to be confirmed at the same service in Saint Leonard's Loftus since 1969!"
After being confirmed the candidates were anointed by the Bishop of Beverley with Holy Oil before receiving their first Holy Communion. Each received a confirmation candle, certificate, bible and special commemorative mug to mark this special moment in their life. The Confirmation Mass in church was followed by a sumptuous faith lunch and party at Loftus Town Hall.
Fr Adam added, "Today's Confirmation Mass was a wonderful experience for everyone involved. It was great to see such a mix of boys and girls, and to have candidates from different generations. It was also a real family affair, with our candidates including, not one, but two set of twins, and a grandfather being confirmed alongside his grandson! I wish Adam, Alan, Brandon, Colin, Colin, Daisy-Leigh, Eve, Hannah, Harry, Jake, John, Jonah, Orson, Philip, Reuben, Samuel, Simon, Thomas, Toby, and Zechariah well and I look forward to walking with them as fellow disciples of Jesus Christ."
- Anyone interested in being baptised or confirmed should feel free to contact their local parish priest.
- More information about the life of the Anglican benefice of Loftus, Carlin How and Skinningrove can be found at www.loftusparish.co.uk