Important Dates for Confirmation 2024:
- Retreat – Sept 30, Oct 1 – Our Lady of Victory Camp
- Class – October 26 – 7-9PM – St. Matthew Church – during youth group
- Retreat – April 20-21 – Our Lady of Victory Camp
- Class – May 2- 7-9PM – St. Matthew Church – during youth group
- Confirmation Date: May 26, 2024 – 9AM Mass – Rocky Mountain House – Bishop Paul Terrio
Although many receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in their early teenage years, long after they have already received First Communion (Holy Eucharist), Confirmation is considered the second Sacrament of Initiation.
In some writings, Confirmation is considered to be the “perfecting” of the Baptism, in that the Baptized are “more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit.
Please contact the Parish Office if you have any questions.
- Students in Grade 6, 7 or Ages (12-14) are eligible to participate in this sacrament if they have celebrated Baptism, their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
- Often special classes are organized by the Confirmation team, to facilitate prospective Confirmation candidates who wish to receive any or all of the previous sacraments (Baptism, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist). This program is called the “Rite of Christian Initiation of Children” (RCIC)
- Meetings to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation begin with a registration meeting in November, followed by monthly meetings beginning in December and continuing until June.
- Meetings take place once a month and are about three hours long.
- These meetings consist of families bringing food for a meal together. Opening and closing prayers are done in the School Chapel. Learning activities include hands on work, technology, and group work.
- Parental involvement is crucial to the success of the program.
- Volunteers involved in the program include parents, teachers, the Parish Priest and Deacon Rollie.
- There is a registration cost to cover materials.
- Confirmation is most often administered by the Archbishop.
- A sponsor is required for each Confirmation candidate. (See below for more details)
What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Growth is vital to human life; the body and mind must grow to stay alive. Catholics believe they need to grow to maturity in a life of grace, just as the human body must grow through childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
This sacrament is called “Confirmation” because the faith given in Baptism is now confirmed and made strong. Confirmation builds on what was begun in Baptism and was nourished in the Holy Eucharist. Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Christian community and it matures the soul for the work ahead.
Pentecost is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.
Why do I need this sacrament?
- Confirmation means accepting responsibility for your faith and destiny. Childhood is a time when you’re told what to do and you react positively to reward and negatively to punishment.
- Adulthood, even young adulthood means you must do what’s right on your own, not for the recognition or reward but merely because it’s the right thing to do.
- The focus is on the Holy Spirit who confirmed the Apostles on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and gave them the courage and gifts to practice their faith.
- The Holy Spirit confirms us during Confirmation and gives us those gifts also.
Who can serve as a sponsor?
- One sponsor male or female is sufficient but there may be two, one of each sex.
- The sponsor must be 16 years of age and must have already celebrated their Confirmation.
- Often Baptismal godparents are chosen but someone else who represents the larger Catholic faith community and who is a positive faith role model may be chosen.
- Parents or legal guardians cannot be sponsors for their child.
- Sponsors are asked to journey with the candidate as they prepare for Confirmation and are welcome to attend any classes.
Confirmation Ceremony:
The Archbishop confirms in the local diocese. He wears red vestments to symbolize the red tongues of fire seen hovering over the heads of the Apostles at Pentecost.
- Each candidate comes forward with his/her sponsor.
- Each candidate selects his/her own Confirmation name. – At Baptism, the candidate’s name was chosen for them. Now, in Confirmation, another name, in addition to the others, can be added or the original Baptismal name can be used. It should be a Christian name .
- The candidate stands before the Archbishop and the sponsor lays one hand on the shoulder of the one being confirmed. The Confirmation name is spoken and the Archbishop puts Chrism Oil in the person’s forehead, says their name aloud and then says, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The person responds “Amen” The Archbishop then says “Peace be with you” and the candidate responds “And with your spirit.”