Confirmation (One of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church)  

Picture
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Apostles and the Bishops, who are their successors, hand on to the baptized the special gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ the Lord and poured out upon the Apostles at Pentecost. Thus the initiation in the Christian life is completed so that believers are strengthened by power from Heaven, made true witnesses of Christ in word and deed, and bound more closely to the Church.” Decree of Pope Paul VI, 8/22/71 The rites, Rite of Confirmation p. 289

At St. John’s, Confirmation is usually received at the 10th grade level, as diocesan norms indicate. However, any adult Catholic or one being received in the Church may also receive the sacrament. A class for an adult wishing to be confirmed is combined with our RCIA program.

PERTINENT INFORMATION:
Confirmation preparation is separate from ongoing catechesis, which needs to continue throughout our lives.  The sacramental preparation consists of 4 large group sessions which actively involve the candidate with their sponsor and parents.   It is expected that all candidates attend each of these session with a parent and/or sponsor.  
 
The students will continue participating in CCD, homeschool, or Catholic School just as they have previously and as needs to happen after they celebrate Confirmation.   

What happens at Confirmation?  In the Sacrament of confirmation, the Apostles and the Bishops, who are their successors, hand on to the baptized the special gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ the Lord and poured out upon the Apostles at Pentecost.  Thus the initiation in the Christian life is completed so that believers are strengthened by power from Heaven, made true witnesses of Christ in word and deed, and bound more closely to the Church.”
Decree of Pope Paul VI, 8/22/71  The rites, Rite of Confirmation p. 289
 
The Role of PARENTS:     “The initiation of children (youth) into the Sacramental life is for the most part the responsibility and concern of Christian parents.  They are to form and gradually increase a spirit of faith in their children, and, with the help of catechetical institutions, prepare them for the fruitful reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.  The role of the parents is also expressed by their active participation in the celebration of the Sacraments.”
The Rites, p. 298
 
 
Parents will be expected to aid their son/daughter in preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation.

  • Please pray with/for you son or daughter and all of the other candidates.
  • Discuss with your son or daughter the Sacrament of Confirmation, their willingness to devote themselves to preparation for the Sacrament.
  • Make your life as a Catholic an example for your son or daughter, and be available to assist in his/her preparation by offering your full support, (forms, providing aid in service projects, serving as an advisor or chaperone, etc.).
  • Be aware of the Confirmation program guidelines and feel free to contact us with your comments, questions, etc.  We hope you will become acquainted with his/her teachers and mentors.
  • Help you daughter/son choose a Confirmation name and sponsor.           
 
 
The role of CANDIDATES:  This can be one of the most exciting times along your faith journey!  For this to happen, be open to the Holy Spirit by actively participating in all the sessions.   You will also be participating in a retreat which immerses you into Christ and His Church, a service project which allows you to live out the Works of Mercy, and growing in your knowledge and hopefully love of/for Christ.   
  
The role of the SPONSORS:  A sponsor has the privilege of guiding the candidate to a closer relationship with Christ and the Church he founded—the Roman Catholic Church. He or she must belong to the Catholic Church and have been initiated in the three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, be 16 years of age and may not be a parent.
If you wish, one of your Baptismal sponsors may be chosen to be your Confirmation sponsor, provided a Christian relationship exists.  This situation is most appropriate, and would stress the Sacraments of Initiation, and the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation.  
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1311; Code of Canon Law, , # 893    

Please make a commitment to PRAY DAILY  for your candidate!  

 
COMPONENTS:
- Monthly Worksheet:  Each month candidates need to complete and turn in a worksheet which helps them become familiar with key Catholic teachings and formation as a Catholic in the following areas:

· Works of Mercy & Virtue:  Candidates will review the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy and moral virtues.  During the course of the school year, candidates will need to share how they have become more like Christ by practicing the works of mercy and growing in virtue.

· Homily Notes:  Candidates will be asked to take notes on a given homily.  This is to help the candidate to focus on the message of the homily given at Mass.  It is encouraged to ask clarifying questions of the priest following Mass if needed.

· YouCat Review: Pope Benedict gave to youth in 2011 a wonderful engaging Catechism.  Candidates will answer questions from this book.
· Prayer Notes:  Each candidate is asked to spend intentional time in prayer during this preparation and to answer some questions about it.
 
Confirmation Preparation Agreement:  All Candidates, Sponsors and Parents will sign an agreement which lists the expectations for all candidates wishing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Candidates will be held accountable to this list at the time of their interview.
 
-Holy Hour:  It is so important for us to spend time with Christ and realize the gift of Himself He has given to us.  A devotion dating back to the earliest of time is Adoring Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for an extended period of time.  During the Holy Hour of Adoration, you have the opportunity to simply be still and LISTEN to God.  It is “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” and NOT  “Listen Lord, your servant is speaking.”
 
-Retreats:  Throughout history, retreats have proven to be a very effective means of helping people draw closer to Christ, thus there are two retreats for all candidates during the year immediately prior to Confirmation.
 
 -Confirmation Name Report:  Candidates will choose a name for Confirmation (which may be the same as Baptism) as a new identity in Christ.  They will write a one page report due in Feb. on the name they choose including information about the saint and why the name was chosen.
 
  
Coordinator: Dan Kitzhaber:  
384-3252 x6
April Confirmation Brunch Presentation on 
PRAYER, NAME, & CONVERSION 
Play the segments in order below and follow along on the outline provided.

Confirmation (One of the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church)  

Picture
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Apostles and the Bishops, who are their successors, hand on to the baptized the special gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ the Lord and poured out upon the Apostles at Pentecost. Thus the initiation in the Christian life is completed so that believers are strengthened by power from Heaven, made true witnesses of Christ in word and deed, and bound more closely to the Church.” Decree of Pope Paul VI, 8/22/71 The rites, Rite of Confirmation p. 289

At St. John’s, Confirmation is usually received at the 10th grade level, as diocesan norms indicate. However, any adult Catholic or one being received in the Church may also receive the sacrament. A class for an adult wishing to be confirmed is combined with our RCIA program.

PERTINENT INFORMATION:
Confirmation preparation is separate from ongoing catechesis, which needs to continue throughout our lives.  The sacramental preparation consists of 4 large group sessions which actively involve the candidate with their sponsor and parents.   It is expected that all candidates attend each of these session with a parent and/or sponsor.  
 
The students will continue participating in CCD, homeschool, or Catholic School just as they have previously and as needs to happen after they celebrate Confirmation.   

What happens at Confirmation?  In the Sacrament of confirmation, the Apostles and the Bishops, who are their successors, hand on to the baptized the special gift of the Holy Spirit, promised by Christ the Lord and poured out upon the Apostles at Pentecost.  Thus the initiation in the Christian life is completed so that believers are strengthened by power from Heaven, made true witnesses of Christ in word and deed, and bound more closely to the Church.”
Decree of Pope Paul VI, 8/22/71  The rites, Rite of Confirmation p. 289
 
The Role of PARENTS:     “The initiation of children (youth) into the Sacramental life is for the most part the responsibility and concern of Christian parents.  They are to form and gradually increase a spirit of faith in their children, and, with the help of catechetical institutions, prepare them for the fruitful reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.  The role of the parents is also expressed by their active participation in the celebration of the Sacraments.”
The Rites, p. 298
 
 
Parents will be expected to aid their son/daughter in preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation.

  • Please pray with/for you son or daughter and all of the other candidates.
  • Discuss with your son or daughter the Sacrament of Confirmation, their willingness to devote themselves to preparation for the Sacrament.
  • Make your life as a Catholic an example for your son or daughter, and be available to assist in his/her preparation by offering your full support, (forms, providing aid in service projects, serving as an advisor or chaperone, etc.).
  • Be aware of the Confirmation program guidelines and feel free to contact us with your comments, questions, etc.  We hope you will become acquainted with his/her teachers and mentors.
  • Help you daughter/son choose a Confirmation name and sponsor.           
 
 
The role of CANDIDATES:  This can be one of the most exciting times along your faith journey!  For this to happen, be open to the Holy Spirit by actively participating in all the sessions.   You will also be participating in a retreat which immerses you into Christ and His Church, a service project which allows you to live out the Works of Mercy, and growing in your knowledge and hopefully love of/for Christ.   
  
The role of the SPONSORS:  A sponsor has the privilege of guiding the candidate to a closer relationship with Christ and the Church he founded—the Roman Catholic Church. He or she must belong to the Catholic Church and have been initiated in the three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, be 16 years of age and may not be a parent.
If you wish, one of your Baptismal sponsors may be chosen to be your Confirmation sponsor, provided a Christian relationship exists.  This situation is most appropriate, and would stress the Sacraments of Initiation, and the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation.  
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1311; Code of Canon Law, , # 893    

Please make a commitment to PRAY DAILY  for your candidate!  

 
COMPONENTS:
- Monthly Worksheet:  Each month candidates need to complete and turn in a worksheet which helps them become familiar with key Catholic teachings and formation as a Catholic in the following areas:

· Works of Mercy & Virtue:  Candidates will review the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy and moral virtues.  During the course of the school year, candidates will need to share how they have become more like Christ by practicing the works of mercy and growing in virtue.

· Homily Notes:  Candidates will be asked to take notes on a given homily.  This is to help the candidate to focus on the message of the homily given at Mass.  It is encouraged to ask clarifying questions of the priest following Mass if needed.

· YouCat Review: Pope Benedict gave to youth in 2011 a wonderful engaging Catechism.  Candidates will answer questions from this book.
· Prayer Notes:  Each candidate is asked to spend intentional time in prayer during this preparation and to answer some questions about it.
 
Confirmation Preparation Agreement:  All Candidates, Sponsors and Parents will sign an agreement which lists the expectations for all candidates wishing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Candidates will be held accountable to this list at the time of their interview.
 
-Holy Hour:  It is so important for us to spend time with Christ and realize the gift of Himself He has given to us.  A devotion dating back to the earliest of time is Adoring Christ in the Blessed Sacrament for an extended period of time.  During the Holy Hour of Adoration, you have the opportunity to simply be still and LISTEN to God.  It is “Speak Lord, your servant is listening” and NOT  “Listen Lord, your servant is speaking.”
 
-Retreats:  Throughout history, retreats have proven to be a very effective means of helping people draw closer to Christ, thus there are two retreats for all candidates during the year immediately prior to Confirmation.
 
 -Confirmation Name Report:  Candidates will choose a name for Confirmation (which may be the same as Baptism) as a new identity in Christ.  They will write a one page report due in Feb. on the name they choose including information about the saint and why the name was chosen.
 
  
Coordinator: Dan Kitzhaber:  
384-3252 x6
April Confirmation Brunch Presentation on 
PRAYER, NAME, & CONVERSION 
Play the segments in order below and follow along on the outline provided.