Contact: Nina Rizzo, PhD

(919) 468 - 6131

nrizzo@stmichaelcary.org

Registration form 2011-2012:  Click here

Confirmation Schedule 2011-2012:  Click Here

Spirit Alive Schedule 2011-2012: Click Here

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

Confirmation is the third Sacrament of Initiation and continues the life-long journey that began at Baptism and is nourished with the Holy Eucharist.  The sacrament of Confirmation focuses on the faith of the youth and his/her commitment to the life and mission of the Church.  It deepens one’s commitment to be a disciple of Jesus, to evangelize, and to defend the faith.  Confirmation celebrates the presence of the Holy Spirit within oneself and intensifies the Spirit’s gifts and one’s response to them. 

Confirmation increases and deepens the grace received at Baptism.  It roots us more deeply as children of God; it unites us more firmly to Christ; it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us; it renders our bond with the Church more perfect; and it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross. (CCC, no. 1303) Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian soul; for this reason, you can receive this sacrament only once.

BASIC PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

A Candidate is responsible for charitably and fully participating in all phases of the Confirmation Preparation program.  The Confirmation Preparation Program at St. Michael is offered during High School years.  Confirmation may be received as early as the 9^th grade, if religious education requirements have been met. 

 

Preparing students for the sacrament of Confirmation involves a partnership among the youth, their families, parishioners, and the staff.  Any requirements not fulfilled or any documentation not submitted may necessitate the Candidate be deferred from the program of Confirmation until the following year.

Confirmation Covenant.  Parents and Candidates are asked to sign a Confirmation Covenant that attests to their understanding the program requirements and commitment to the fulfillment of the program requirements.  The Covenant can be found in the yellow folder.

The Diocese of Raleigh sets preparation guidelines for the sacrament of Confirmation.  St. Michael adheres to these guidelines.  Eligibility for Confirmation requires:

 

• Family registered at St. Michael.
• Student in grades 9 – 12 between the ages of 14 and 18.
• Submit a copy of the baptismal certificate.
• Participate in Religious Education classes for two consecutive years.
• Attend Sunday Mass.
• Express a sincere desire to receive the sacrament.

 

The following requirements are necessary to be eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Michael:

 

•  Register for the St. Michael Sacramental preparation program.
• Attend a Confirmation retreat.
• Participate in a Service Project. 
• Receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. 
• Interview with a staff member of the Church to discern readiness.
• Submit a copy of baptismal certificate.
• Name a Sponsor with accompanying signatures.
• Attend the Confirmation rehearsal with Sponsor (or proxy).
• Attend the Confirmation liturgy with Sponsor (or proxy).

 

  

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFIRMATION

 

 

Religious Education.  Confirmation at St. Michael the Archangel follows the Diocesan guidelines requiring two-years of sequential religious education prior to receiving the Sacrament.  A teen is eligible for Confirmation as early as the ninth grade, if he/she has completed two years of EDGE or Catholic Middle School.  A high school student with no previous religious education is required to attend the two-year Confirmation religious education program offered by the parish’s High School Youth Ministry program, unless they currently attend Catholic High School.  If a teen enters Confirmation preparation as a junior or senior, he/she is still required to participate in the two-year religious education program.

  

Confirmation 7-Session Sacramental Program

 

A teen who has met the two-year sequential religious education requirement needs only to register for the 7-session sacramental track, plus attend a retreat and complete a service project.

 

Full-Year Sacramental Preparation Programs

  

A teen preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation who has not had previous religious education registers for a two-year preparation program. 

  

a. Pre-Confirmation -- One Year Prior:

 

Students must complete one year of High School religious education.  This requirement is met by enrolling in the parish sponsored High School Youth Ministry program.  Students who attend a Catholic High School are not required to attend the pre-confirmation program.  In the pre-Confirmation year, the foundations of faith formation are presented in a classroom setting with an emphasis on the Creed, the Mass and the Sacraments. In addition, to classroom sessions, teens are encouraged to attend several Sunday Youth Ministry Nights throughout the year.  The calendar of classroom sessions and Youth Nights are presented at the end of this document.

 

b. Confirmation Year:

 

After completing one year of religious education, Candidates continue in a Religious Education program. In the second year, they begin the year by studying Morality and Life in Christ.  In January, Candidates begin the 7 -session Confirmation Preparation track.  Teens participating in the full-year program are encouraged to attend several Youth Ministry Nights throughout the year.  The calendar of classroom sessions and Youth Nights are presented at the end of this document.

Attendance.

 

Confirmation Tracks (Fall and Spring).  Confirmation Candidates are required to attend all seven sessions of the Confirmation Preparation program, including the retreat, a service project, the sacrament of Reconciliation, and the discernment interview.  If the Candidate cannot attend due to illness or a family emergency, a parent/guardian must notify the Candidate’s catechist of their absence.  [Sports events/practices, trips, weekend away, homework, and all other reasons do not excuse absence.]

 

One Sacramental Preparation class may be missed.  If two sessions are missed, the Candidate and his/her parents/guardians meet with Dr. Nina Rizzo concerning continued participation in the program.  Arriving 20 minutes late or leaving class early is considered a missed session.  A make-up assignment must be completed for any class missed regardless of the reason.  It is the responsibility of the Candidate to contact their catechist and obtain the make-up assignment and hand it in at the next session.

 

Failure to submit make-up assignments and a second absence may lead to Confirmation being delayed. 

 

          Full-Year Pre-Confirmation (Year 1) and Confirmation (Year 2).  Teens are required to attend classes regularly.  Two sessions may be missed in each of the two semesters in pre-Confirmation Year 1.  Two sessions may be missed in the first semester of Confirmation Year 2.  Only one session may be missed when the 7-session Sacramental Preparation begins in the Spring.  When absences exceed limit, the Candidate and parents/guardians meet with Dr. Nina Rizzo to discuss program continuance.  As with the sacramental tracks, arriving late and leaving early is counted as an absence.  A make-up assignment must be completed for any class missed regardless of the reason. 

 

Service Project.  The connection between Confirmation and service is that each confirmed Christian has a calling and a responsibility to serve as a living example of Jesus’ teachings – to serve one another.  God calls us to serve as we say, “Here I am Lord!”  To serve others is a gift for the receiver and the giver. 

 

To help our Candidates understand the important role that service plays in the life of a Christian, Candidates are expected to fulfill one HSYM-sponsored service project.  Service project opportunities may be organized by catechists as a class project or by the Servant Leadership (SL) program.  SL Members are teens in the 9-12^th grades, who have already been confirmed, whose primary responsibility is to identify, plan, and coordinate HSYM service projects.  A Confirmation Service Project form is required to be completed to document participation.  A copy of the form is included in the yellow folder.

If a Candidate is unable to participate in any of the HSYM-sponsored service project, he/she is required to complete 6 hours of community service to fulfill the service requirements.

 

Retreat.  The Confirmation retreat is a full day experience that fosters a sense of community among peers and gives the Candidates an opportunity to establish a closer relationship with God and his/her peers.  It is a time for the Candidates to nurture spiritual growth and to awaken an awareness of the Holy Spirit at work in their lives. 

 

St. Michael requires Candidates to attend a one-day retreat held at the St. Michael Campus. In order to be credited with fulfilling this retreat requirement, the Candidate must be in attendance for the entire day.  Late arrivals and/or early departures are unacceptable in fulfilling this requirement.

 

Reconciliation.  The sacrament of Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing and conversion returning us to God the Father after we sin.  The Church encourages us to go to confession (Reconciliation) at least once a year and more frequently in order that we might deepen our relationship with God and grow in humility and virtue.  Through the sacrament we receive the grace to help us avoid future sin. (CCC, no 1458) 

 

Letter to the Pastor.  Candidates are required to write a letter to Father Doug Reed.  They are given the opportunity to write this letter at the Confirmation Retreat.  The text of the letter should include the following:

·             Why you want to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

·             What you have learned about Confirmation during this time of preparation.

·             Relate how you have accepted the responsibility of living a Christian life through service to God and to others.

·             Explain how you plan to make the gifts of the Holy Spirit that you will receive at Confirmation a part of your life in the future.

·             Ask the pastor questions you may have regarding faith.

·             Who and why you have chosen your Sponsor and their relationship to you.

The letter is personally signed and submitted to Dr. Nina Rizzo, Director of H.S. Youth Ministry.  The letters will be reviewed before the Candidate’s final interview.

Discernment.  Nearing the end of the Confirmation program, a Candidate’s knowledge of the Catholic faith and readiness to receive the sacrament is assessed.  Candidates are interviewed after all forms, make-up assignments, service projects, retreat attendance, and letter to the pastor are complete.

The discernment process includes (1) multiple-choice assessment of a teen’s knowledge of the Bishop’s Twenty Questions about our Catholic faith and (2) interviews with a priest, deacon, or brother, catechist, or Director of HSYM.

Readiness.  When the Confirmation program is completed a teen is ready to accept the privileges and responsibilities of a Catholic Christian.  Evidence of readiness includes:

·        Expression of desire by the Candidate to receive the sacrament.

·        An understanding of the sacrament as a personal commitment to assume fuller responsibility in the community and in the ministry and service aspects of parish life.

·        A sense of unity with the parish community as evidenced by participation at the Mass, with an awareness of what is taking place.

·        Witness to the Faith in the way the candidate lives a Christian life.  Candidate’s actions should reflect a loving reverence for God and His laws.

·        Live more faithfully as a follower of Jesus through prayer, worship, and service.

·        Realize God’s love for them and all of humanity.

·        Understand the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and its fruits.

·        Deepen commitment to be a witness to Jesus, evangelize, and defend the faith.

·        Total participation in the requirements of the formation process and all aspects of the Confirmation program, including retreat, interviews, service project, and liturgical celebrations.

Selecting a Confirmation Sponsor.  The Candidate is encouraged to choose a special person who will be a mentor in their faith life.  The Sponsor is someone called upon to pray and discuss spiritual matters and moral choices.  This is a lifelong relationship and, as such, a Sponsor should be chosen very carefully.

Church Canon Law specifies that Confirmation sponsors be at least 16 years old, have been fully initiated, that is, received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion, be “living a life consistent with the office undertaken,” and not be the parents of the Candidate.

Thus, a Confirmation Sponsor:

·             Must be a practicing, Confirmed Catholic, at least 16 years old.

·             Cannot be the Candidate’s parent.

·             Attend Mass and receive Holy Eucharist on a regular basis.

·             Complete a Confirmation Sponsor Form.

In the event that the Sponsor is unable to attend the Confirmation rehearsal or ceremony, another suitable person should be selected to serve in this capacity.  Please complete the Sponsor Form included in the yellow folder.

 

Selecting a Confirmation Name.  Confirmation is an opportunity to enter into a deeper relationship with God and His Church. One Confirmation custom is to choose a new name to symbolize this relationship.  This “Confirmation name” is used in the ceremony.

 

At Baptism, you may have been given a Christian name, that is, the name of one of the saints or heroes of the Bible, who became your “patron.” It is preferable to use your baptismal name as your Confirmation name because it highlights the special connection between the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.  The journey of faith begun at Baptism is strengthened with the special gifts of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. 

If a Candidate decides to take a new name for Confirmation, it should be a name selected from the list of recognized saints of the Catholic Church. Choose a saint’s name whose life serves as a model of virtuous living to imitate.   Or select a saint’s name that represents a strength or attribute that you feel you need.

The decision to take a new name reflects a commitment to renew the baptismal call, turn from sin, and be faithful to God.  The Candidate is now a new person – an adult in the Church – assuming responsibilities to share the Gospel message and build up the Kingdom of God.  This new name is presented to the Bishop at the Confirmation Mass. 

It is important and necessary to learn something about the saint the Candidate selects. To select a Confirmation saint name, the Candidate is required to answer the questions listed below and submit a written report.  A form is provided in the yellow folder to help research your patron saint.  The report is due by Session #5.

 

1. What is your complete baptismal name?
2. Why did your parents give you these names?
3. What do these names mean?
4. What would you like your Confirmation name to be?
5. Why would you like this name?
6. What does it mean to you?

  

After selecting a saint name, ask this saint to be your patron and help you prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  You can honor this saint throughout life with prayers and seeking their intercession. Remember you may choose your baptismal name saint as your Confirmation name saint.

 

Parent Volunteers.  The Confirmation journey is essentially a volunteer ministry.  There are many opportunities for parents to lead and assist as catechists in religious education classes, chaperones, service projects, fellowship events and retreats.  Please speak to Dr. Nina Rizzo at nrizzo@stmichaelcary.org or 468-6131 to find out about volunteer opportunities.