Confirmation Info
BIG Confirmation Updates!
Happy New Year! I pray that in 2024 we may live more holy, healthy, and happy lives.
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As we start this new calendar year, Confirmation Mass is quickly coming upon us. I wanted to take time to share important dates and reminders as we journey closer to celebrating this Sacrament. There is a lot of really important information here, so please take the time to read it carefully.
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Click Here to Sign-Up for a Confirmation Interview
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Dates & Deadlines
$40 Confirmation Preparation Fee - OVERDUE
A quick reminder that if you have not yet paid the Confirmation Fee for the books, and retreat to please do so. I will reaching out next week to those who have not paid. These funds go towards paying for the curriculum and the costs of the retreats and events. If money is an issue, please let me know.
Baptismal Certificates - OVERDUE
It is absolutely neccessary that you turn in a copy of your baptismal records as soon as possible. This is a canonical requirement. If the Church cannot verify your baptism, you cannot receive confirmation. Please send a copy in via email to aevans@bsccva.com or turn it in in-person at the office. If you have not sent in a baptismal certificate, expect to hear from me in person next week.
Sponsor Forms - OVERDUE
Please send your sponsor forms to the Church as soon as possible. If your sponsor is someone out of town, make sure that their pastor signs the form, and advocates that they are a practicing Catholic. Sponsor forms need to be turned in as soon as possible but no later than January 31st.
Letter for Fr. Silvio - Now Due 1/14 (Or sooner)
Since Confirmation is a little earlier than we initially expected, we need your letter to Father Silvio explaining why you want to be confirmed a little earlier. Fr. Silvio will begin conducting Confirmation interviews next week, so that we have time. He needs your letter before you interview with him. This letter does not have to be very long; a paragraph or two would suffice. Your letter should state your name, your desire to be confirmed, and why you want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please turn this letter into office, or send it to aevans@bsccva.com.
Make-Up Confirmation Retreat - 2/3
For those who could not attend the Confirmation Retreat in the fall, or for anyone who wants to another spiritual experience before confirmation, we will host another retreat on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 from 10am-3pm. The theme of this retreat will be Walking with the Saints. A retreat is a diocesean requirement to get ready for Confirmation. More information on this will be forthcoming.
Pick a Confirmation Saint - Deadline 2/4
If you have not yet, please research a patron saint to take for Confirmation. Consider saints who share similar interests or ideals. When you have decided on a saint, please send me an email @ aevans@bsccva.com.
Service Hours- Now Due 2/11
There is a lot going on in January, so to ease the burden, I am pushing back to the service hour deadline to Febraury 10th. Adoration on Wednesday evenings will continue to count towards service hour requirements throughout January and February. I will send an update on other service opportunities next week.
Confirmation Mass- 2/23/2024
Confirmation Mass will be held here at Blessed Sacrament on February 23rd, 2024 at 7:00pm. All Confirmandi and Sponsors must be at the Church ready to go by 6:30pm. If you cannot attend this Mass, please let me know immediately!
Confirmation Interviews
When? - Confirmation interviews will begin next week and go through the February 2nd, 2024. These interviews will be approximately 20-30 minutes long between 4pm and 8pm on weekdays.
Why? - In order to be confirmed, Canon Law requires the consent of the pastor, the parent, and the confirmand. These interviews are a time to talk about the confirmand's intentions, and a chance for them to declare and testify to their desire to be confirmed.
Where? - All interviews will be conducted in the Church office.
Who? - The confirmand, a parent, and Fr. Silvio will all need to be present. Please schedule a time using the sign-up link below that works for both the student and the parent.
What to expect? - Come 5 minutes early to your time slot and come prepared. Bring your letter to Fr. Silvio (or ask Austin to print it for you), so that you can read your intent to be confirmed. Also, be sure that you can name the 7 Sacraments, the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the 10 Commandments. Father Silvio will ask you to recite these things to show that you have knowledge of the faith and a commitment to being confirmed. This is less so a test, and more of a conversation. Be honest and true. At the end of the interview, Father will decide whether you are ready for Confirmation, you need to come back for a second interview, or you may need more time before you make this important choice.
Please click the link below to sign-up for a time slot that works for both the confirmand and a parent.
Are you Ready for Confirmation?
Welcome to the Confirmation Process at Blessed Sacrament! We are excited to have you join us! The Confirmation process begins for teenagers in 10th grade and is a one-year-long process.
There are three typical misconceptions about Confirmation:
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Misconception #1: You Become an Adult in the Church with the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Sacrament used to be celebrated at birth and now varies in age as to when someone is confirmed. It marks a sign of spiritual maturity, but not being an “adult” in the eyes of the Church.
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Misconception #2: The Sacrament of Confirmation is about “choosing to be Catholic” by “confirming” your faith. The Sacrament of Confirmation is about strengthening and completing the grace given at Baptism. While you must discern if you are ready for this sacrament, you are not “choosing” to become Catholic or making your faith your own. Your baptism made you a Catholic forever. The Lord gives us free will every day to “choose” if we are going to be Catholic or not.
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Misconception #3: You graduate from religious education once you are confirmed and can now choose what is right for you in your faith. Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation. Our faith is a lifelong journey. We can always experience deeper conversion, and Jesus is continually calling us to a deeper relationship with Him.
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So then, what is Confirmation?
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It’s transformative: This is the last of the Sacraments of Initiation. This sacrament leaves an indelible mark, which means it’s unremovable. You are marking your soul for eternity. You are activating the grace you received at your baptism and becoming the person Christ created you to be.
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It’s missionary training: By being Confirmed, you are taking the mission of the Catholic Church on as your own: “to go and make disciples of all nations” – Matthew 28:20
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It can be life-changing: This process has the power to change your life. Many teens have begun the Confirmation process unsure if they wanted to be Confirmed or even wanted to remain Catholic after being Confirmed. Many have ended up falling deeper in love with the Lord despite their initial reservations.
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Please know the whole CORE team is here to help you! We are here to serve you and your family!