Confirmation Preparation

“The process of Christian Initiation has its summit in the sacrament of Confirmation. The seeds of faith are planted at baptism. Faith sets down firm roots and comes to maturity at the Eucharist table. People whose faith has grown up around the Eucharistic table do not make a permanent dwelling place there, Rather, inspired and strengthened by the Eucharist, they press onward to live out their faith. Confirmation is the juncture between faith that is reaching maturity and faith that has matured. It is the turning point where disciples of faith become apostles of faith in the world.”
(Called to Faith, paragraph 75.)

Confirmation in the Diocese of Richmond requires a mandatory two-year period of preparation.

Teens may begin the preparation in the 10th grade and celebrate Confirmation at the end of the 11th grade, if they have a history of regular attendance at Sunday Mass and have taken part in the regular Religious Education program. Some teens prefer to begin the process in the 11th grade and finish at the end of their 12th grade year. (Called to Faith, paragraph 78.)

The Confirmation program is dependent on the parents’ lived expression of our Catholic faith through the family’s consistent participation in the weekly celebration of the Eucharist and their involvement in Sacred Heart ministries.

During Confirmation I (First year of preparation)

1. Attend and participate in Religious Education on Sunday nights.
2. Attend and participate in the Confirmation overnight retreat.
3. Perform 10 hours of community service.
4. Choose a sponsor in January of this year to begin meeting with that sponsor in April.
5. Attend the Holy Week liturgies.
6. Complete the Confirmation Portfolio.
7. Meet with the Youth Minister in the summer between year 1 and year 2.

During Confirmation II (Second year of preparation)

1. Attend and participate in Religious Education on Sunday nights.
2. Attend and participate in the Confirmation weekend retreat.
3. Perform 10 hours of community service.
4. Participate in a ministry in the parish.
5. Meet monthly with their sponsor.
6. Complete the Confirmation portfolio.
7. Interview with the Pastor.
8. Attend the Holy Week liturgies.

Announcements

ADULT CONFIRMATION: Are you an adult who was baptized a Catholic, received your First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, but was never Confirmed? If so mark your calendar for Lent 2008.

An adult Confirmation group is forming. This group will meet once a week on Thursday nights for the 6 weeks of Lent and then celebrate Confirmation during the Easter Season. The first meeting will be Thursday, February 14th at 7pm. Contact Amy Woods at 625-6763 or vawoods1994@verizon.net if you are interested in learning more.