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Confirmation

 

The Council of Trent defined a sacrament as “an outward sign of inward grace, instituted by Christ for our salvation.”  Jesus came to save us, and we can be saved only if we have a personal relationship with God, and God gave us the seven sacraments as helps to our salvation.  Each is a sacrament of faith: it expresses the faith of the believer even as it increases it.  The sacraments, however, are not just individual expressions of the faith; they are expressions of the faith of the whole Church.  That is why the sacraments are celebrated during the liturgy, the public prayer of the Church, and why the requirements for their reception are given to us by the Church.  Christian Formation prepares us for the sacraments (catechesis) but also helps to deepen the faith increased through the sacraments (mystagogy).  All Christian Formation is sacramental in character, as it brings us to understand better the Christ whom we encounter through the sacraments.

 

Confirmation completes the sacraments of initiation and is given as a sacrament specifically to bestow the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  At this parish it is the culmination of an intense period of catechesis which seeks to impart a thorough knowledge of the Bible and Christian doctrine, as well as the ability to defend the faith.  Only children who of their own free will desire to request the sacrament may enter the program of preparation for confirmation.  If their parents are supportive of the decision, they must sign the Covenant and keep its stipulations.  If their parents are not supportive of the decision, the children may still receive the sacrament as long as they fulfill their part of the Covenant and all of the other requirements.  The child must pass a test of basic knowledge in order to receive the sacrament, and Catholic parents are asked to pass the same test, although their failure to do so does not bar their children from receiving the sacrament.  Normally, baptized children in the eighth grade or above who have already received First Penance and Holy Communion may be enrolled in the program, but any Catholic child above the age of reason who has received the above sacraments who has not already received confirmation and who can fulfill the requirements may be enrolled.  Children whose religious education stopped after second grade to be resumed in eighth will be at a serious disadvantage, and remedial classes may be necessary for them to catch up what has been lost.

Please read Fr Smith’s Pastoral Letter on the Sacraments and Confirmation in Particular

Fr. Smith’s Communion/Confession Letter–Effective June 2013
Confirmation classes meet from 6:30p-7:45p on Wednesday evenings during the school year.The program consists of curriculum formed from the YOUCAT (www.youcat.org) alongside the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Confirmands are expected to:

  • attend Holy Mass every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation
  • own and study the YOUCAT (available at St. Anthony’s Catholic Shop and amazon.com)
  • regularly attend Wednesday evening classes (unless enrolled at POPCS, SJCS, or homeschooled)
  • accumulate 30 hours of documented service (10 for the community, 10 for the church, 10 at home)
  • attend the Confirmation retreat in March–may be missed only due to grave illness
  • choose a sponsor who is in good standing with the Catholic Church
  • receive the sacrament of Confession before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation
  • complete a project to present to their class after conducting extensive research on the life of their chosen Confirmation saint

Parents will receive a weekly newsletter with updates regarding these activities.

Each 8th grade student must be enrolled in Prince of Peace’s Religious Education Program here and have submitted the Confirmation Registration form found below.

*Please note: All POPCS, St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and homeschooled students must submit a Confirmation registration form and meet the requirements for Confirmation outside of the POPCS/St. Joseph’s classroom. They will not be expected to attend Wednesday evening classes.

The $45.00 Confirmation fee will be collected at the parent meeting on September 6, 2012 at 6:30p in Croghan Hall. No family will be turned away due to the inability to pay the $45.00 fee.

 

Please contact Stephanie Lasitter with any questions or concerns. (864.551.8823)

Confirmation Registration 2013

Please return the registration form to Stephanie Lasitter, 1209 Brushy Creek Rd. Taylors, SC 29687

Confirmation Calendar 2012-2013