Sacramental Preparations

“The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments.” Catechism of the Catholic Church 1113.

The Sacraments are an important part of our everyday life as Catholics. Jesus loves us and is always ready to pour into our hearts the strength to be His disciples and His witnesses to His Good News. There is nothing more important for us to do than to prepare ourselves and our children for the moment at which God gives us His grace, a share in His Divine life!

Confirmation

Confirmation enriches the baptized with the strength of the Holy Spirit so that they can better witness to Christ in word and deed. Anointed by the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, Christians strengthen their bond with the Church and become better equipped to carry out the Church’s mission of love and service. Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world.  We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.

Confirmation preparation is a two-year program that usually ends with the candidate being Confirmed in the eighth grade.

The first year of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation  focuses on:

• Catechesis on the Sacrament and Rite of Confirmation
• Instruction on the Holy Spirit, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the practice of Christian virtues in daily life
• Involvement in the sacramental and spiritual life of the Church

The second year of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation focuses on:

• Spiritual formation for its reception of the sacrament.
• Challenge to live the faith in an ever more mature manner
• Christian service to others
• Witness to Christ through daily life and vocational commitment

Candidates in their first year and second year of preparation attend Witnessing Sessions to assist them in seeing the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives and the lives of those around them. 

Checklist for Confirmation

Parents:

• Bring child’s baptismal certificate to the Church office
• Attend Parent Orientation Meeting
• Help prepare their child for Confirmation
• Complete necessary paperwork
• Attend Weekly Mass

Youth:

• Be a baptized Catholic or received into the Catholic Church
• Received the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Reconciliation
• Attend and participate in a two year Confirmation preparation program
• Attend Witnessing Sessions
• Be faithful in attending and participating in the Religious Education program
• Attend the Confirmation Retreat
• Select a Saint Name
• Select Confirmation Sponsor
• Write a letter to the Bishop
• Attend Weekly Mass