"Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ, it strenghens our relationship with the Church, and it gives us a special strength from the Holy Spirit to defend the faith and confess the name of Christi."
Pope Francis, January 29, 2014 General Audience
Confirmation Sacramental Preparation builds on the foundation that is established in the Formation students received in 9th and 10th grade (either through the parish and/or Catholic school). During this time of preparation, we desire our teens to grow stronger together as a Faith Community, understand their role as the young church, and commit to their faith in an authentic way. Our Confirmation Sacramental Preparation had 3 components:
1. Regular Sunday Mass attendance is expected of our Teens and families.
2. Formation (September - April)
Confirmation Formation includes 15 Sunday evening sessions, 6:00-7:30pm, September to April, and a Confirmation retreat (February 10-12). Confirmation is not graduation; our schedule intentionally extends beyond Confirmation Mass so that teens can receive the Graces of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation and continue deepening their faith through fellowship and prayer, strengthening their faith roots.
3. Service
We encounter Christ through the persons we encounter when we serve. This is why we challenge our students to go beyond volunteering and look at how they can SERVE.
Feed the hungry , give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the prisoners, bury the dead, give alms to the poor...love one another as I have loved you...
(John 13:35)
We ask that students focus less on "hours" and more on opportunities to serve your neighbor keeping in mind the Corporal Works of Mercy. We encourage 7 to 8 opportunities of service in the year. More details about service are in our CF Handbook and opportunities to serve with and for the parish will be shared throughout the year. It is the responsibility of each teen to set up his or her own opportunities to serve. Students will be asked to submit a reflection of their service when they are complete.
Important Dates for your Calendar:
September 21 5:00pm Orientation
February 10-12 Confirmation Retreat
April 21 Confirmation Rehearsal at 5:45pm with Liturgy at 7:00pm