Preparing your child for the sacrament of Confirmation is a wonderful time for your family and for our parish. Together we celebrate the completion of the initiation process that began at Baptism. In the sacrament of Confirmation, we receive God's grace and are strengthened by the Holy Spirit. We look forward to watching your child learn, pray, and work together over the next several months.
Confirmation Masses (Choose One) Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 7 p.m. | St. Gabriel Church Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 5 p.m. | St. John Church Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 7 p.m. | St. Michael Church
"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:14-17
Confirmation, along with Baptism and Eucharist, is one of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. These are the sacraments that lay the foundation for our life in Christ. The Catechism tells us that "the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For 'by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed'" (CCC 1285). Confirmation seals us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, that we may receive the graces to best serve Christ and His Church.
At Tri-County Catholics Family of Parishes (TCC), preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation takes place outside of and in addition to regular religious instruction (EDGE, LIFETEEN, Archangel Gabriel and Saint Michael parochial schools).
To be eligible for the Confirmation preparation track, candidates need to be baptized and regularly participating in the sacraments of Penance (confession) and Eucharist. Starting in eighth grade and continuing through high school, candidates may enter the preparation process which culminates in the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. If you are beyond high school and are seeking Confirmation, there is an adult Confirmation track available through TCC.
Candidates and the appropriate representative are required to attend the following activities:
Parent & Candidate Informational Meeting (Choose One) Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 10 a.m. | St. Michael Monday, September 16, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. | St. John
Parent & Candidate Retreat (Choose One) Saturday, October 12, 2024 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | St. Gabriel Monday, October 21, 2024 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | St. John
Candidate Confirmation Retreat (Choose One) Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | St. John Saturday, November 30, 2024 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | St. John
Candidate & Sponsor Confirmation Retreat (Choose One) Saturday, January 11, 2025 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | St. Michael Monday, January 20, 2025 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | St. John
Confirmation Rehearsal (at your Confirmation Church) St. Gabriel Rehearsal | Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | 7 p.m. St. John Rehearsal | Friday, February 21, 2025 | 7 p.m. St. Michael Rehearsal | Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | 7 p.m.
Confirmation Masses (Choose One) Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 7 p.m. | St. Gabriel Church Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 5 p.m. | St. John Church Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 7 p.m. | St. Michael Church
The following items are required by the dates noted to be confirmed:
Confirmation Registration Deadline Sunday, September 8, 2024
In Person Meeting Dates Confirmation Parent-Candidate Logistics Meeting Sunday, September 15, 2024 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | St. John
Parent-Candidate Evening Sunday, October 6, 2024 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | St. John
Sponsor Night Sunday, November 3, 2024 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | St. John
Community Night Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | St. John
High School Confirmation Retreat Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 1:00-6:00 p.m. | Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford (Retreat ends with Sunday Mass at Milford)
Confirmation Rehearsal Dates (at your Confirmation Church) St. Gabriel Rehearsal | Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | 7 p.m. St. John Rehearsal | Friday, Friday 21, 2025 | 7 p.m. St. Michael Rehearsal | Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | 7 p.m.
Confirmation Mass Dates (Choose one) Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 7 p.m. | St. Gabriel Church Saturday, February 22, 2025 | 5 p.m. | St. John Church Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 7 p.m. | St. Michael Church
Mystagogia Sunday, March 2, 2025 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | St. John
Online Form Due Dates Confirmation Registration Deadline Sunday, September 8, 2024
The Confirmation process is a journey in which the Candidate will explore different aspects of faith, church ministry, and service. This process necessitates a full commitment from the candidate, parents/guardians, sponsors, and church members as this is a sacrament that calls for a time of reflection on personal faith and a more active participation in the life of the Church. As a candidate to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, candidates will honestly commit to the following to the best of their ability:
Attend Mass regularly on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation at a Roman Catholic Church
Attend all class sessions, or submit makeup work if absent for any reason
Complete the Candidate Covenant Form, and provide a copy of their Baptismal Certificate if they have not received any Sacraments at any of the TCC Family Parishes
Select a sponsor and have the sponsor complete the Sponsor Covenant Form
Choose a Confirmation name and complete the Confirmation Name Submission Form
Attend Confirmation Retreat
Complete Service Experience(s) and Service Reflection Form
The Confirmation retreat challenges youth to grow in their faith and learn how to be good stewards of the gifts God has given them. All candidates are required to attend a Confirmation retreat for the Tri-County Catholics Confirmation preparation program.
Non-Catholics are permitted to attend the Confirmation retreat, but must fill out the retreat registration as well as have a Tri-County Catholics Medical Waiver on file to attend.
A sponsor at Confirmation is someone who stands with you before the Catholic community, presents you to the Bishop, and witnesses the anointing with chrism. Your sponsor’s influence on your life continues after this celebration. The sponsor you choose should be someone you can turn to for help and guidance as you continue the journey of faith in the years ahead. The sponsor should be a person whose maturity can provide you with a model of Christian living.
Criteria for Confirmation sponsors:
Are selected and designated by the Candidate
Have the ability and intention of carrying out their responsibilities
Are at least sixteen years old
Are a Confirmed Roman Catholic
Have received Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation
If married, they are married in the Catholic Church
Attend Mass and receive the sacraments regularly
Are not the parent or guardian of the candidate
Sponsor does not have to be the same gender as the candidate
Sponsor does not have to be the baptismal sponsor
Students, once a Confirmation sponsor is chosen, please email them a link to Sponsor Covenant Form (www.tricountycatholics.org/sponsors) and ask them to complete the form to formally assign them as your Confirmation sponsor.
Your Confirmation name should be the name of a saint. Pick a saint you can identify with, someone you would be comfortable praying to and praying with. You will want to learn about their feast day in the Church and something important about their lives. You should also be able to say why you chose this saint and this name. If you are having difficulty deciding on a Confirmation name, pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance and talk to your parent or sponsor.
Candidates for Confirmation are asked to participate in two parish service opportunities and one community service opportunity before completing this Service Reflection Form. Please choose one service project and one parish community experience connected to the Tri-County Catholics Family of Parishes, and one service opportunity for the greater community. The following list gives you some ideas of service opportunities available to you:
Tri-County Catholics Family Service Ideas
Volunteer at the St. Michael Spaghetti Dinner
Create holiday cards for our Homebound Ministry to distribute
Participate in Jr. High Youth Ministry Service Days
Volunteer at a Parish Fish Fry, Picnic, or Festival at any of the parishes
Attendance Each of the preparation sessions are mandatory and must be attended. If you are going to miss a session, make sure you communicate with your religious education leader ahead of time. There will be mandatory make-up sessions. If you know that you will miss more than two sessions due to conflicts, please contact us to discuss your options.
Behavior Youth participants will:
Project an image of Christian consideration, sensitivity, and respect to everyone and to the property around them through language, dress, and behavior
Refrain from inappropriate touching and verbal harassment
Respect other persons and/or property
Refrain from actions that could result in injury to themselves, others and/or damage to property
Keep their personal belongings with them at all times
Report problems of any kind to a trusted adult
Dress Code for Confirmation Masses General Guidelines: The Confirmation Mass is a FORMAL event. We encourage ALL attendees and guests to dress up in their Sunday best attire. Please dress appropriately for the ceremony and encourage your guests to do likewise.
Wearing red and/or white to a Confirmation Mass is traditional, but NOT required! A general tip for the Confirmation Candidates: when fixing your hair, we recommend leaving your forehead uncovered for anointing.
Ladies' Guidelines:
A dress or skirt that reaches the top of or goes below the kneecaps
Dresses or blouse tops need to have sleeves or straps and not reveal cleavage
Spaghetti strap dresses or blouses (straps thinner than 1.5 inches) MUST be worn underneath a cardigan, shawl, or jean jacket at all times
Bare midriff or open-back dresses are unacceptable for this liturgical event
Dress pants with blouse is acceptable
Dress shoes (no heels above 2.5 inches - ladies need to walk and bow gracefully)
Gentlemen Guidelines:
Button-up dress shirt with a collar and shirt tucked in (no more than two buttons unfastened and an undershirt for white dress shirts)
Dress pants or slacks with a belt
Tie or bow tie (suggested, but optional)
Jacket or vest (suggested, but optional)
Dress shoes with socks
For all attending guests:
Do not wear sneakers, sandals, flip flops or other casual shoes
Do not wear jeans, sweatpants, or shorts
Weather If inclement weather forces the cancellation of a meeting or retreat, an e-mail will be sent out to all participants and parents.
Volunteers
Are you interested in changing the lives of Catholic teens? Would you like to get to know the teens of our parish? Do you want to share your faith life with them? If so, we would love to have your help with this year’s confirmation ministry! If you are interested in assisting with the Confirmation program or have any questions, please contact Becky Albrinck for more information.