The Sacrament of Confirmation Family Information Packet

The Sacrament of Confirmation Family Information Packet

Confirmation * The program consists of foundational instruction and specific formation instruction. Life Teen is the program used as the on-going foundational program. A 30 hour completion of Life Teen approved activities will be used as the criteria for full participation. It will be the candidate s responsibility to sign-in at the Life Teen meetings / Bible Studies. The specific formation instruction will be 10 hours in duration and will be completed within the two months prior to Confirmation. General Information: Confirmation is a sacrament in which those who have been baptized receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord sent upon His apostles at Pentecost. It is a sacrament that celebrates God s special strengths and gifts in those who have been baptized. In 1972, the Church published The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The RCIA stresses that connection between the three sacraments of Christian initiation-baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. In Baptism, a person becomes a Christian and receives grace and life from the Holy Spirit. In Confirmation, the baptismal vows are renewed and the sealing of the Spirit serves as a preparation for a mature Christian life. In Eucharist, the great sign of Christian unity, the faithful are nourished and strengthened. They are transformed into a more loving and united community of believers. Through these sacramental rites the faithful are officially acknowledged as Christians. They are commissioned to carry out the mission of Christ and His Church. Confirmation is a parish community celebration. It provides an opportunity for members of the parish family to renew their baptismal commitment. Confirmation time in the parish is a time when the community celebrates the gifts of the Holy Spirit among them. Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit help Christian live their lives more fully committed to Christ. These gifts are: From the Gifts of the Holy Spirit come the Fruits, which are: Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding Spirit of Right Judgment and Courage Spirit of Knowledge and Reverence Spirit of Wonder and Awe in God s presence. Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Generosity Faithfulness Gentleness Self-Control

The Responsibilities of Parents: Parents are the primary educators of their children Parents are responsible of initiating their children into the sacramental life Parents serve as models for their children by being committed Christians Parents worship with their families regularly Parents nurture their children in faith Parents should encourage their children to reflect on and thoughtfully consider the decision to receive the sacrament of Confirmation Parents are asked to attend meetings, programs and prayer services that are planned to help their children prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation Parents are no longer permitted as Confirmation sponsors for their own children Parents are asked to assist their children with the immediate preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation through prayer, study and Christian service. Parents can emphasize the importance of the sacrament of Confirmation by taking an active part in the celebration of Confirmation Parents should stress the initiation aspect of the sacrament by encouraging their children to continue learning more about their faith. Parents should help their children in understanding that the Confirmation service projects are the beginning of a life committed to Christian service. Christian Commitment to Service Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. (Mt. 20:28) The Church is a servant community and all those accepting full membership in the Church are also accepting the responsibility to serve. Candidates for the reception of Confirmation are asked to select service projects, which are geared to their own special talents and abilities. Candidates are required to perform 30 hours of Christian service to others as part of their preparation for Confirmation. The service should be preformed freely and willingly. It could help the parish, neighborhood, or local community. These service projects are meant to represent the candidates intentions of becoming full members of this servant community, the church, and special followers of Christ-Christians.

Confirmation Candidates Criteria for Readiness Please read through this information now, at the beginning of the program and review it often during Confirmation preparation. Toward the end of the program, ask yourselves: Is my candidate ready according to these guidelines? 1. Physical/ Psychological Readiness is shown by: a. willingness to receive the sacrament* This involves a desire on the part of the candidate to fully participate in the preparation and to receive the sacrament with a reverence and appreciation appropriate to his/her age. b. ability to attentively participate in the liturgy This involves the capacity to be attentive and reverent, and to participate in the ritual by responding with understanding and reverence according to his/her age and ability 2. Catechetical Readiness is shown by: c. ability to understand church affiliation This involves being aware of one s belonging to the Catholic community through Baptism, and participating in the prayer life of the community. d. ability to relate to Jesus as one who does the will of the Father This involves the capacity to reflect on the Gospel stories of Jesus as one who teaches and invites us to the life of discipleship. The focus of this invitation is on the experience of the Holy Spirit to teach and guide the life of the Christian (e.g., Sermon on the Mount, Mission as revealed in Luke 4 and Matthew 25, parables of discipleship, parable and miracles of the reign of God).

3. Liturgical Readiness is shown by: a. attending the Eucharist liturgy regularly This involves a familiarity with the worship life of the parish community and participation in the Mass with regularity. (minimally this includes holy days of obligation as well as Sunday liturgy) b. ability to participate in the Eucharist and reconciling life of the parish community This involves the ability to participate in ritual celebration of Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation, in a way according to his/her age, and to understand the requirements for receiving sacraments

CANDIDATES PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION must freely choose to be confirmed and make his/her desire known must be in the state of grace must have adequate knowledge of the Catholic faith and have participated in required learning sessions must be practicing his/her faith are responsible for completing home study and service projects should attend Mass and receive the sacrament of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly must be aware of the initiation aspect of the sacrament of Confirmation and be committed to continuing the faithful practice and study of his/her religion must be willing to participate in the Confirmation program of prayer, retreat, communal celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, etc. RITE OF ENROLLMENT The Rite of Enrollment is a ceremony in which the candidates who choose to enter into the immediate preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation make his/her commitment official. Prior to the Rite of Enrollment candidates are asked to seriously and prayerfully think about what will be required of them during this time of preparation. This ceremony is celebrated the first or second Sunday of December at the 5:00 p.m., Life Teen Mass. The date is included in the Confirmation calendar. This is a mandatory activity.

CONFIRMATION NAMES If the candidate s baptismal name is that of a recognized saint of the Church, there is no need to select a new name for Confirmation. Using the baptismal name for Confirmation is preferred because it highlights the relationship between the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. If the candidate chooses to take a new name for Confirmation, however, it should be a name selected in honor of Jesus or Mary or from the list of recognized saints of the Catholic Church. Names of saints are chosen to serve as patrons and models for those being confirmed. Candidates should choose a patron whose Christian life or virtues can be imitated. A report / summary of the chosen saint is required. It should include what they are the patron of, a brief history of their life and why you chose this saint. Please do not attach photocopied or printed info from the internet. This summary should be written or typed from your own perspective and should be no less that ½ to 1 page in length. Please attach the summary to the Application for Confirmation

STUDENT NAME: Application for THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION Please print clearly or type all information. Use complete name given at Baptism -- no initials, nicknames or abbreviations. *THIS APPLICATION WILL BE USED TO ENTER INFORMATION INTO OFFICIAL CHURCH RECORDS.* ** Fee: $25.00 Make check payable to St. Joseph Church ** Application Due Between : April 15 & May 1 PERSONAL INFORMATION: Name First Middle Last Address: Street City/State Zip Phone: ( ) Candidate's age at time of Confirmation: Date of Birth Father's Full Name: Mother's Full Name: (include MAIDEN last name) BAPTISM INFORMATION: (A copy of Baptism certificate must be attached to this registration form unless already submitted.) (The following information is required to register the Confirmation sacrament at the church of Baptism. Please fill in all blanks.) Parish of Baptism: Date of Baptism - mm/dd/yy : Street Address City / State / Zip Name at time of Baptism: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION RECORD: List the name(s) of parish religious education program your child has attended in the past two years: Parish Program/Catholic School Address/City/State/Zip Parish Program/Catholic School Address/City/State/Zip PARISH INFORMATION: Are you registered at St. Joseph's Parish? Will your young person be confirmed at St. Joseph's Church? Yes No Yes No If no, please list parish of registration: Church name If no, please list parish: Church name Street City/State/Zip Street City/State/Zip Area code Phone number Area code Phone number Sponsor Name: If sponsor has changed, please insure the new sponsor submits a Sponsor Eligibility Form Confirmation (Saint) Name: PLEASE ATTACH SAINT REPORT TO THIS FORM

RITE OF ENROLLMENT I,, understand that my preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a responsibility that I choose to accept. I thereby agree to: Cooperate to the best of my ability with the parish program preparing me for the Sacrament of Confirmation Participate in the learning sessions, activities, and spiritual opportunities provided by my parish community To become a more active and involved member of this parish Offer my talents and services where needed Accept more responsibility in my family, community and parish Participate in the weekend and Holy Day Masses regularly Seriously reflect on my decision to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation Place myself in the loving hands of God, and to ask for blessings and assistance in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit to keep the promises that I have made by this agreement. Candidate s signature Date Witnesses: Parents DELAY OF CONFIRMATION We,, the parents of Request the DELAY OF CONFIRMATION of our teen. Parent (s) signature: Date

St. Joseph Catholic Church SPONSOR CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY Sponsor s Name: Candidate s Name: (please print) (please print) PLEASE READ THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SPONSORSHIP BEFORE SIGNING Cannon 872 and 874 of the Code of Cannon Law lists those requirements for the valid and lawful sponsorship in Baptism and Confirmation. A Sponsor: -The sponsor s role is to assist the person in Christian initiation. -The sponsor s role is, together with the parents, to present the child for the sacrament and help him/her to live a life befitting a baptized Catholic Christian. 1. Must be mature enough to undertake this responsibility. 2. Must have received the three Sacraments of Initiation, namely Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. 3. Must be not less than 16 years of age. 4. Must know the fundamental truths of the Faith and be a practicing Catholic who goes to Mass on Sunday, receives the sacraments regularly, and sees to the religious instruction of his/her family. 5. Must be a member of the Catholic Church, canonically free to carry out this office. (This would indicate that Catholics publicly living in an invalid marriage (Not according to the Church regulations) and those who are cohabiting (living together without marriage) are ineligible.) 6. Must not be the father or mother of the one baptized or confirmed. Requirements for a Proxy are the same as those listed above for a sponsor, with the exception of number six. Being a sponsor is not just an honor given to a good friend or relative. Sponsorship implies a real appreciation of the faith, a practice of the same, and a sense of responsibility toward the person being baptized or confirmed. I declare that I am a registered member of the parish listed below and that I fulfill the requirements of Cannon Law (listed above) to be a sponsor. Sponsor name: Sponsor Signature: (please print) Name of Parish: Phone number: I certify that is a member of this parish, is a practicing Catholic and is eligible to act as a sponsor for Confirmation. Date: (Rev) Please make a copy for your records.