The Sacrament of Confirmation

Through Confirmation we become identified in a more visible way as members of the Church. Confirmation celebrates the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps grow in faith and to be a witness to our faith, living in such a way others can see what we believe.

At Baptism our parents and godparents express our faith for us. At Confirmation we express our faith for ourselves. We accept in our own name our responsibilities as followers of Jesus.

Confirmation is a three-year program.  Doctrinal instruction takes place in grades seven and eight.  Students who have completed these two years of preparation in grades seven and eight, and desire to be confirmed may enroll as high school students in the parish program of spiritual preparation.  This spiritual preparation for the Sacrament lasts for several months and culminates in the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

The Director of Religious Education and the Youth Minister will interview each candidate who meets the critieria and is personally ready before the program begins.

Tentative Schedule for 2008 - 2009

Monday, September 8:     Parent & Candidate Meeting
Sunday, October 12:         Friendship Retreat
Monday, November 3:      Candidate only meeting
Monday, November 10:    Sponsor only Meeting
Monday, December 1       Candidate
Monday, January 5:           Candidate
Monday, February 2:         Candidate only meeting
Monday, March 2:              Candidate
Monday, March 30:           Candidate only meeting
Monday, April :                   TBA 
Monday, May  :                  TBA

Retreat Options: February 13-15 or March 6-8

Guidelines for Confirmation

Since Confirmation is a Sacrament of commitment, we expect and encourage the following under their contract:

  1. Attend Mass EVERY Sunday.
  2. Full cooperation with a mature and respectful attitude. Cooperation from candidates, parents, and sponsors is very important.
  3. Attend and participate in all Confirmation Meetings and activities. (Meetings are MANDATORY; not optional.)
  4. Attend ONE of the weekend retreats.
  5. To accept more responsibility in family, Church, and community including fulfillment of 15 service hours.
  6. Strive to grow in a relationship with God through prayer.

If a candidate fails to fulfill his/her commitments, the Confirmation Team may require that he/she repeat the program the following year in order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.