In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. Here we recall that faith is a spiritual journey involving family, friendships, and discipleship - which is love of God, love for neighbor, and spreading the Good News of Our Lord, Jesus.

All communicaon for Confirmation is done within the High School Band app in the Confirmation chat. Please join to ensure you don't miss out on events, updates, documents, and information regarding Confirmation. Click the band link below and I will add you to the Confirmation chat.

High School Band

• Absences: Students will need to make sure they attend all Confirmation classes on Sunday mornings (9:00-10:00am). If these must be missed, please notify us as soon as possible so we can discuss ways to make up for the missed classes. Candidates will have no less than 80% attendance.
• Retreat: Candidates are expected to attend a retreat prior to receiving Confirmation. If your child cannot attend our retreat, you must notify us immediately so that other arrangements can be made.
• Youth Ministry: Candidates will be expected to attend Youth Ministry on Wednesday nights. Candidates will have no less than 80% attendance.

After a candidate drops below the 80% attendance rate without making up the missed sessions, a meeting will be held with the student, parent(s), and the Youth Ministry Director to determine the student's readiness for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

• Each baptized Catholic has the right and the obligation to receive the sacrament of confirmation, but the candidate has the personal responsibility to choose to complete initiation into the faith life of the Church.
• Candidates may request the sacrament if they:
  • Are baptized and able to renew baptismal promises, unless a grave reason suggests otherwise
  • Exhibit an active faith life and knowledge of the Church
  • Participate in the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Mass
  • Are willing to commit to active involvement in the parish confirmation catechesis
  • Are willing to respond to the call to active participation in the church
  • Are willing to continue to learn and grow in faith following confirmation and throughout their lifetime

• The sponsor represents in a personal way the witness and support of the parish community
• Opportunities for catechesis should be offered to the sponsors in order to assist them in fully understanding their role in the ongoing formation of the candidates
• The sponsor should participate with the candidates in their preparation as well as the celebration
• To perform the role of sponsor, it is necessary that a person:
  • Be designated by the one to be confirmed, by the parents or the one who takes their place, or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the qualifications and intention of performing the role
  • Have completed the sixteenth (16) year, unless a different age has been established by the diocesan Bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister than an exception is to be made for a just cause
  • Be a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with faith and the role to be undertaken
  • Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared
  • Not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed (c.874)

The sponsor's function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the duties inherent in this sacrament.

A sponsor is:

• A role model, a person who fully embraces and lives the Catholic faith fully together with complete participation in their local Catholic Church
• A mentor, someone to help guide and encourage the candidate. Walking side by side as the candidate seeks to respond to God's call
• A trusted adult, who is willing to stand with the candidate not only during a ceremony but throughout life's journey

Code of Canon Law # 893 states:

“... that a person who would undertake the office of sponsor must fulfill the conditions mentioned in Can. 874 and that it is desirable that the sponsor chosen be the one who undertook this role at baptism.”

Canon # 874 states:

“ To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

1. Be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or minister. To be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it.
2. Not be less than 16 years of age.
3. Be a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and a person who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; (Must attend Sunday liturgy every week, be in a valid marriage if married.)
4. Not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared; (Must be in a state of Grace.)
5. Not be either the father or mother of the person to be confirmed."

IN ADDITION, SPONSORS ARE ASKED TO:

• Pray for and with the candidate
• Actively participate in the process, while sharing their faith with their candidate
• Attend the Confirmation rehearsal before Confirmation, and attend the Confirmation ceremony

• Family: Chores that are above and beyond those already expected of you and that are something you wouldn’t normally choose to do are the best example.
• Parish: These hours should be obtained through assisting at events at the parish. There are many opportunities, and we are happy to help you determine what would be the most fitting for you. This can include VBS, helping at the Bazaar, Cleaning up the grounds, etc.
• Community: Events that benefit others and are held in your local community are the best way to fulfil these hours. This could include volunteering at a nursing home, coaching a youth team, raking leaves for a neighbor, etc.
• Spiritual: Though this category may seem vague, it is by far one of the most beneficial. Participation in any Mass would qualify, going to Confession, going to Adoration, You can pray a rosary with a family member, spend time reading Scripture, retreats, etc.

1. Pray about it! Examine your own talents and gifts. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Do not just seek the easy way out or the fastest way to finish.
2. Challenge yourself and be creative! You may be called to explore something new! 
3. Do not go at it alone! Talk with your parents, sponsor, teacher, and friends. They are all good resources and support. You may want to put together a group project such as raking leaves for neighbors.
4. Do not stop at 24 hours! It’s OK to keep going. Part of the reason for the service hour requirement is that we are called to serve for the rest of our lives. You can continue your service throughout the year. In addition, prayer and fasting is also a great spiritual work of mercy for others.

• Talk to our youth minister, Cassidy Miller-Benavides, to learn about service opportunities
• Serve at Mass in any capacity
• Cleaning the church or church grounds
• Contact the Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus, or other parish groups to serve
• Check the bulletin for service opportunities  
• Coach or teach a sport to younger children
• Tutor in afterschool programs
• Volunteer for parish events such the Parish Bazaar, Trunk or Treat, Sweets with Santa, etc.
• Offer services such as gardening, mowing, cleaning, or babysitting to either a neighbor or friend
• Organize a fundraiser or food, clothing, or supplies drive for a local or international mission
• Volunteer at local homeless shelters or soup kitchens
• Visit the sick or elderly in hospitals or nursing homes
• Ask the parish office if they have projects in the afternoon/evening or on weekends
• Attend a Holy Hour in the church
• Go to Confession
• Attend Adoration
• Start or participate in a group dedicated to raising awareness about a Catholic teaching or cause e.g. pro-life groups
• Volunteer with Catholic Charities or Catholic Relief Services
• Helping with vacation bible school

• Anything you are paid for
• Responsibilities already expected of you at home e.g. household chores

The Communion of Saints are the people in heaven who intercede with God on our behalf. Thus, the saints are our patrons in Heaven. In acknowledging the saints, we acknowledge our connection with them through and in Christ and to each other. Teen candidates will be asked to select a Saint to be their patron for Confirmation and will be asked about the saint chosen in their Confirmation classes. Candidates should know the name of the saint they have chosen, their story, and explain why that saint was selected to show they made a thoughtful decision. Reminder, the saint selected must be a fully canonized saint, so look for St. in front of their name (cannot be Bl. or Ven.). 
 

Here are some websites to help in your research:

• https://lifeteen.com/biggest-best-list-confirmation-saints-guys-girls/
• https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints
• www.americancatholic.org/ (search for Saints in the search bar)
• https://www.catholic.org/saints/
• https://ucatholic.com/category/saints/
• https://thekoalamom.com/2019/11/100-cool-saints/

Other Resources:

● Formed.org - Best described as a “Catholic Netflix” it houses many movies, audio files, interviews, and eBooks which can be downloaded and read on your computer or phone. It can be accessed through an app on your phone, online, and on Roku and AppleTV.

See Movies -> Saints of History, eBooks ->Kids and Teens or Explore the Faith, and the Saint Audio section under Audio. Or search “Saints” in the search bar. See attached Formed document on how you can access this resource through our parish.

● Social media can be used as a tool to learn about the Saints. There are a few Catholics and Catholic businesses who post about Saints on Instagram. Here are a few examples: @mhunterkilmer (Catholic speaker and author, also on Facebook and posts great stories about Saints), @saints.alive.pod, and @_littlesaints.

● Podcasts: The Saint of the Day Podcast by Good Catholic, Catholic Saints by Augustine Institute, Saints Alive Podcast

● Phone Apps: Laudate (see Saint of the Day tab), Online With Saints, Ascension