Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation

Components of 7^th grade Preparation (Prep I):

• Families begin the discussion and choice of a sponsor for Confirmation
• At least 90% class attendance
• Young person participates in an afternoon of reflection
• Service to others is part of a Christian life – minimum of 20 service hours completed (service based on the Corporal Works of Mercy)

Components of 8^th grade Preparation (Prep II):

• Parents/guardians to attend a mandatory formation meeting
• At least 95% class attendance
• Attendance and active participation in a Catholic Confirmation Retreat
• Young person writes a letter to the Pastor expressing their desire to be confirmed (assigned)
• Minimum of 20 service hours completed (service based on the Corporal Works of Mercy) – total of 40 hours
• Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in fall of Freshman year, after attending Alive in the Spirit retreat

Confirmation Parent & Candidate Meeting
Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 7pm, Community Room

 DUE February 13, 2019: Confirmation Service Reflection #1

Confirmation Commitment Mass (and Youth Recognition)
Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 9:30am 

DUE May 1, 2019: Confirmation Information Form (distributed at Parent Meeting)

DUE May 8, 2019: Confirmation Service Reflection #2 & Service Journal

Confirmation Retreat
Sunday, September 29, 2019

Confirmation Practice
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 6:30pm, Church

Confirmation Day – Bishop Robert Casey
Saturday, November 9, 2019 at 11am, Church

Parent’s Blessings & Challenges

• Suddenly (or so it seems) a child becomes a young adolescent.  At this exciting and often challenging stage, parental love and support are especially necessary.  The focus in the teen’s self-discovery process is the recommitment to the call to live more deeply as a Christian disciple.
• Through the sacrament of Confirmation, the young person affirms that, with the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, they want to live a Christian life as a Catholic, bearing witness to Christ in the world.
• The reception of the sacrament presupposes a developing understanding of the responsibility to bring good news to the poor and oppressed, bring comfort to the sick, uphold the sacredness of life and work for justice and peace in society.
• “In the United States the age of Confirmation in the Latin Church for children and young people varies from diocese to diocese; it can be designated between the age of discretion through around age sixteen years.”
• At St. Raymond, the Sacrament is currently celebrated in the fall of Freshman year.  Parents and young people are encouraged to make this decision together in prayer, honest reflection, and discernment.  The young person, with parental guidance, needs to freely choose to confirm the promises of belief made at their Baptism.