The
preparation classes for the Sacrament of Confirmation currently begin in
January of the students’ junior year and conclude in mid-to-late fall
of their senior year with the celebration of the sacrament.
The
classes are held on Sunday evenings from 6:00-8:30 in the Church Narthex.
Rather than the classroom settings of previous years,
these preparation classes focus more on the personal relation of the
student’s faith to their everyday lives, their own personal faith
journey, and engaging the youth on the same material as before, but in a
deeper and more meaningful way. Short talks, videos, and table
discussion all play an important part in the classes. Parents lead
the table discussions on faith and bible study, engaging the students to
own the faith of their parents as they prepare for the final sacrament
of Initiation. We use the Catholic Faith Handbook and the Bible as
texts.
Sponsors
are required to attend two sessions with their candidate, the goal of
which is to ensure a bond has formed between the two prior to the
celebration of the sacrament. A
sponsor is, obviously, someone willing to sponsor the candidate before,
during and following the receiving of the sacrament. Insofar as
possible, a person to be confirmed is to be given a sponsor who assists
in this Christian initiation. A sponsor also helps the confirmed
person to lead a Christian life in keeping and to fulfill faithfully the
obligations inherent in it.
Class Expectations:
- Attend the preparation classes
- Attend one overnight retreat
- Attend one day retreat (built into the class schedule)
- Participate in three service opportunities
- Select a saint’s name
- Write a letter to the bishop regarding their desire to be confirmed
- Choose a sponsor (for more information about selecting a sponsor, or about the Sacraments of Confirmation, please click here
