Confirmation - High School

         Tommy Kawas and Bert Morrison, Director's of Confirmation

tkawas@stmichaelcary.org

The following information applies to the Confirmation class 2008/2009

As with any life, Christian lives begun in baptism must grow and mature.  This process of growth is the fruit of God's grace.  The sacrament of confirmation serves to strengthen and complete baptism.  Though a separate sacrament, it is closely linked with baptism and is intended to develop, strengthen, and complete what has been begun in baptism.

THE PROGRAM:

Our program is very interactive, with large group and small group dynamics based on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  According to Saint Paul, the Holy Spirit is the source of the greatest gifts and ministries.  “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

TO RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT:

Teens who are rising 10th graders and who are baptized Catholic and have celebrated First Eucharist are invited to begin preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation program.  Through Confirmation preparation, candidates have the personal responsibility to choose to complete initiation into the faith life of the Church by meeting all necessary requirements to receive the sacrament.

TO BE CONFIRMED YOU MUST:

1.  Be enrolled and have regular attendance in the Confirmation preparation program ( 1 Wednesday a month, 7 classes)
2.  Be enrolled and have regular attendance in the Life Teen faith formation program (Sunday evenings after 6:00 Life Teen Mass)
3.  Attend Mass, and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently
4.  Have demonstrated service to the community through a service project and write a reflection on this project
5.  Attendance at the on-site day long retreat
6.  Complete a final interview with a Priest before confirmation (Interviews will begin in February and be finished before Holy Week)
7.  Have presented a copy of your Baptismal Certificate and  completed the Confirmation registration form and have a qualified Sponsor (see guidelines)
8.  DECLARE A WILLINGNESS TO BE CONFIRMED

   We expect every effort to be made to make all of the classes that have been put in place on the calendar but we understand that schedules can interfere with the candidate's ability to attend all of the classes.

 The candidates really don't want to miss any of the classes because we have such dynamic speakers who will be sharing their wonderful insight on the 7 Gift's of the Holy Spirit.

The Option if the candidate has to miss a class will be the following:

 If the candidate has to miss a class it will be the candidates responsibility to notify Tommy or Bert at tkawas@stmichaelcary.org listen to a podcast of the Teaching that was missed, answer the questions pertaining to the missed lesson and attend a make-up class on the following Tuesday.  Please go to our St. Michael Youth Ministry website to listen to the podcast at www.xlthim.com . Click on Life Teen, confirmation and then Podcast.

If the candidate misses more than one session and/or the make-up they could be asked to delay their confirmation.

 GODPARENTS, SPONSOR OR MENTOR GUIDELINES:

The sponsor represents the support and prayers of the entire church.  He/she will be the candidate's “spiritual mentor”.  Sponsors chosen by the candidates or their families must be spiritually fit to take on this responsibility.  They must also possess the following qualities.

1.  sufficient maturity to fulfill their function (which is understood to be at least 16        years of age according to the Code of Canon Law)
2.  is a Roman Catholic and has received all three sacraments of initiation (i.e., baptism, confirmation ,and Eucharist)
3.  is a Catholic in good standing and is able to receive Holy Communion

Sponsors who are not registered at St. Michael Church must submit a letter of eligibility from their parish.

Proxies (Mentors) who stand in for the official sponsor must possess these qualities also.

PARENTS ROLE:

The parent's role in the preparation process for Confirmation is a continuation of their on going nurturing, supporting and encouraging of the candidate's spiritual growth.  However, because a free response is required of a candidate, the parental role is very much one of spiritual companion and advisor-helping the youth to see and allow the Spirit to work in their lives.  Parents support and encourage, without coercion regarding the sacrament; sharing their own faith journey; listening carefully to their teen; praying with and for him/her.

Please pick-up a Confirmation packet for the application, Life Teen application, schedule of faith formation and confirmation sessions, and a service project form

Click on the following link www.xlthim.com to download the applications and other forms.  Please drop these forms along with your fee at the Parish office, attention Life Teen.