Confirmation

According to Canon Law, “The sacrament of confirmation impresses a character and by it the baptized, continuing on the path of Christian initiation, are enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit and bound more perfectly to the church; it strengthens them and obliges them more firmly to be witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith.” (Canon 879)

Christian Initiation takes place in the Parish, the faith community into which we are initiated. While the continual catechesis received in the classroom is the foundation for this preparation, religious education during the time of sacramental formation must facilitate opportunities for candidates to deepen their relationship with Christ, and grow to more active participation in the life of His Church.

“Since Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation into the Church, the focus of all catechetical efforts must be aimed at incorporation into the Eucharistic community. This kind of focus will call for an approach that goes beyond instruction in the doctrines of the faith.” (AOC Sacraments for Young People pg. 38)

No. Sacramental preparation must be accompanied by age-appropriate religious education.

“It is assumed that the candidates have been and will continue to be involved in on-going catechesis. Immediate preparation for Confirmation is one part of the on-going growth in faith that should be part of the lives of the young Candidates.” (AOC Sacraments for Young People pg. 39)

Your child will need to have completed at least two consecutive years prior of religious education to participate in the parish Confirmation program. If you currently do not meet this requirement, please contact the Parish Office and we will help you find the right program fit for your family.

While we believe that this time of preparation is an opportunity to underscore the importance and commitment of the Catholic faith in the lives of our candidates, we understand that circumstances may arise that keep them from attending one of our sessions. These will be handled by the Confirmation Director on a case by case basis, but there will be multiple make-up sessions offered for those impacted, throughout the year.

A conversation with the priest is an important part of our discernment process. It gives them a chance to meet your family and make a connection. It is also a great time to discuss any questions you may have concerning the preparation process or the sacrament itself.

At a child’s baptism, parents make a solemn promise to be the first teachers of the faith, to bring their children up according to the law of Christ and the Church. It is the duty and the privilege of parenthood to model and pass on faith to their children, supported by the Church.

We understand how awkward small groups can be, and our goal is to make our meetings as effective as possible. During the registration process we will ask for some names of other candidates that your child would feel comfortable opening up to. This is not a guarantee that every name will be in your small group, but it will serve as an aid as we seek to create groups that will be able to engage in meaningful conversation at each session.

The qualifications for a Confirmation sponsor according to (Canon 874) are:

1. The sponsor must be at least sixteen years of age.
2. The sponsor must be a Catholic who has received Confirmation and Eucharist and is practicing the faith.
3. The sponsor must not be bound by any canonical penalty (e.g., May not be divorced and remarried without an annulment).
4. The sponsor may not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed.

It should be kept in mind that a sponsor should be willing to share his/her faith in God and accompany the candidate in searching for God in his/her own life. A sponsor should also be able to serve as a mentor, by regularly spending time with the candidate. (AOC Sacraments for Young People pg. 40)

The sponsor will need to complete an affidavit to affirm their eligibility to serve as a representative of the Church community. Return to the St. Susanna Parish Office, Attn: Shayne Reno.

While 8th grade is the typical age for preparation for Confirmation at St. Susanna, it is more a question of readiness than grade. Discernment of readiness is done collaboratively by the child, their family and the pastoral team. On a case by case basis, children as young as 12 years old are eligible to join the Confirmation program at St. Susanna. Please contact the Confirmation Director for more details.

All questions and concerns regarding Confirmation preparation should be directed to Director of Confirmation Shayne Reno ( 513-398-3821 x 3146 or renos@stsusanna.org ).