Sacrament of Confirmation
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Perfecting Baptismal Grace
Confirmation is the second Sacrament of Initiation, where a baptized Catholic, through prayers, imposition of hands and the anointing with chrism, receives a real and significant outpouring of the Holy Spirit that completes the initiation into Catholicism begun in Baptism. This sacrament permanently marks the soul and supports our on-going Christian journey.
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, bound more perfectly to the Church, and strengthened to fulfill our obligation of more firmly witnessing for Christ in word and deed, being defenders of our faith! These spiritual gifts enable us, when we are properly disposed, to perceive God more clearly in His Words in our lives so that we grow into a more loving and mature relationship with Him.
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Contacts for Confirmation:
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Deacon Robert (Bob) Brazierbbraziersttm.orgCoordinator of Religious Education
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"Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one's life." The Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 1316-17
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The Confirmation Process
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Confirmation for Adults
The Celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism for adults occurs at the end of an Initiation process known as RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), where one learns about the Catholic faith. This celebration takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday, when the "Elect" (an unbaptised person who wishes to become Catholic) receives all three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. They are, thus, fully initiated into the Catholic Church. For a baptized Christian, reception into full communion with the Catholic Church involves reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and a Profession of Faith, followed by the celebration of Confirmation and the Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.
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Preparation for Middle Schoolers
Both current research and parental feedback indicate a preference for beginning the Confirmation process in the winter of 7th grade with the actual sacrament being celebrated in the spring of 8th grade. Therefore, our Confirmation preparation process begins each year in January for families of 7th graders. Check the parish bulletin for meeting dates.
Our family Confirmation program helps the middle schoolers get ready for the Sacrament of Confirmation through the evangelizing (i.e., sharing the faith) and opportunities for catechizing (i.e., teaching the faith). With the help of parents, sponsors, and program coordinators, the Confirmation candidates can be well prepared to receive and employ the gifts and graces given by the Holy Spirit.
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