Sacred Heart Confirmation Program

 

Some Specifics Regarding Confirmation

Sponsors

Each candidate must have ONE sponsor.  This person should be at least 16 years of age and a confirmed, practicing Catholic who attends Mass, receives the Sacraments regularly, and if married, is married in the Catholic Church.  A sponsor serves as a model of Christian living and should guide the candidate through his or her spiritual journey in the Christian life.  Parents may not be chosen as sponsors.  Sponsors need not be the same gender as the candidate. 

            ***To repeat, sponsors must be practicing Catholics.

*Sponsors from Sacred Heart Parish must be registered members of the parish.  Sponsors of high school age must belong to families registered in the parish.  Those over 18 years of age should be registered in their own name.  Sponsors from Sacred Heart must meet with one of the priests after any Sunday Mass to obtain their sponsor certificate.

*Sponsors who are NOT members of Sacred Heart Parish must obtain a Sponsor Certificate from their own home parish recommending them as a sponsor.

Begin now to choose a sponsor so that they have time to obtain a sponsor certificate and get it to you before the deadline.  Return the sponsor/name form with the certificate attached. Confirmation Sponsor Certificates, with the Form attached, are due March 15-17.

 

Dress Code for Confirmation

All candidates will wear a Confirmation robe for the reception of the Sacrament.  Girls wear white and boys wear red.  Girls must wear dress clothes under the robe; boys must wear dress shirt and slacks, socks and shoes.  No sneakers or jeans may be worn.  Flowers may not be worn or carried by the candidates during the ceremony.

 

Confirmation Name/Saint Report

Because Confirmation is a personal reaffirmation of Baptism it is preferable to retain the Baptismal Name.  However, a candidate has the option of selecting a new "Confirmation name" - provided it is the name of a saint.  Candidates are required to write a biographical report on the life of the saint whose name they are choosing together with a personal explanation as to why the name was chosen. The Confirmation Saint Report is due March 22-24.

 

Commitment Weekend

All candidates accompanied by a parent and attending Mass either at 5:30 pm Sat., or 10 am, 12 noon or 6 pm on the weekend of April 23-24 will make a formal declaration of their desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Mass.  After the homily they will be invited up to the altar to renew their baptismal promises.  The prayer service includes parts for both the candidates and the parents.  Sponsors are welcome to attend.

 

Confirmation Retreat

All the candidates will be required to participate in a retreat experience before Confirmation. The goal of this retreat is to prepare their hearts to be open to all that the Holy Spirit wants to impart not only in the Sacrament of Confirmation but throughout their lives.

This retreat will take place at Sacred Heart on Saturday, March 5, 2022.  Students must attend the entire day.  More information will follow.

 

Letter to the Pastor

Each candidate is required to write a letter to the Pastor requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation and stating his or her reasons for wanting to be confirmed in our faith.  An outline for the letter is also the Confirmation page of the parish website under Links.  This letter will be due March 29-31.

The letter must be written in ink or typed on computer.  It must be done in letter format without any errors or cross outs.  Father David reads all these letters personally and may comment on them.  Therefore parents/sponsors should review the letter for correct form, spelling and neatness. The candidate signs (in script) the letter with his or her first and last names.

 

Light Service

The formal preparation culminates in a beautiful prayer service designed by Sister Rose.  It is fashioned around the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that the candidates will receive in Confirmation.  Parents (and sponsors, if they are local and able to attend,) accompany the candidate at this service which will be held on Tuesday, May 10^th at 8 pm in the Church.

 

Rehearsal

Candidates must attend one rehearsal on Monday, May 16:

Rehearsal at 5:00-6:00 pm for those receiving Confirmation at 5:30 pm;

Rehearsal at 6:15-7:15 pm for those receiving Confirmation at 7:30 pm.

Robes will be distributed after rehearsal. 

 

Confirmation

May 20, 2022; Either 5:30 or 7:30 pm. Email Religious Education Office by January 10, 2022 to reserve the time of Confirmation that will work best for your family.  First come, first served.  Please use sacredheartre@sacredheartchurch.org.

 

 

Service Logs

Service Logs must be submitted the Week of April 4, 2022.  Candidates are required to give 15 hours of Service this year.

 

Requirements for all Candidates

It goes without saying that all those who desire the receive the Sacrament of Confirmation should be living the Catholic faith as fully as possible by their prayerful participation at Mass each weekend, the faithful reception of the Holy Eucharist and frequent confession.

They should have a strong desire to live like Jesus by noticing and caring for the needs of others insofar as they are able.  Service in Jesus' name is not only a requirement for Confirmation but also for every faithful follower of His.

Candidates should also be committed to on-going faith formation and participation in the life of the parish community.  Our parish offers many opportunities for them to stay connected.

 

Confirmation Fee

There is a $60 fee that covers the cost of materials for the retreat day, special programming costs, renting the robes and purchasing other materials for Confirmation. Please pay by January 10, 2022 if you did not pay at registration.  You can pay online at the parish web site, sacredheartchurch.org.