Dear Families,
It's time to prepare your child for the sacrament of Confirmation. This is a wonderful time for your family and for our parish as 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 Mass
Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 7 p.m. | St. Michael Church
For any questions throughout Confirmation preparation:
Becky Albrinck
Director of Evangelization
(513) 633-6443
Katherine Walton
Director of Youth Ministry
(513) 563-6377
Confirmation Retreat
All Confirmation Candidates need to attend a Confirmation Retreat. 
The St. Michael Confirmation Retreat will be held on ...
February 24 | 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. | St. John Parish Favert Hall 
Adult volunteers are needed to help chaperone and/or lead small groups throughout the day. Please contact Katherine Walton if you are able to assist in this wonderful day of evangelization! 
What is Confirmation?
"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 Archangel Gabriel Parish, immediate preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation takes place in a "track" that is outside of and in addition to regular religious instruction (EDGE, Family Catechesis, Archangel Gabriel School).  The track is "family-based," meaning a parent/guardian accompanies the candidate through preparation and participates in the sessions with them.

To be eligible for the Confirmation preparation track, candidates need to be baptized and regularly participating in the sacraments of Penance (confession) and Eucharist. In eighth grade, candidates may enter the immediate preparation process which culminates in the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Candidate Commitment
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, and if necessary, provide a copy of Baptismal Certificate
  • Select a sponsor and Complete Sponsor Covenant
  • Choose a Confirmation name 
  • Attend Confirmation Retreat
  • Complete Service Experience(s) and Service Reflection Form​
Candidate Service Experience
Candidates for Confirmation are asked to participate in two service opportunities and complete the Service Reflection Form below. Please choose one experience connected to the St. Michael Parish Family and one of service to the greater community. The following list gives you some ideas of service opportunities available to you:​

St. Michael Parish 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
  • Join the St. Michael Music Ministry
  • Become an Altar Server
  • Ask our Parish Office how you can be more involved
Community Service Ideas
Dates to Remember
Sept 25: Registration Opens
Dec 20: Registration Due
Nov 13: Confirmation Candidate Covenant Forms Due
Jan 22: Confirmation Sponsor Forms Due
Feb 24: Confirmation Retreat
Apr 12: Confirmation Service Reflection Form Due
Apr 30: Confirmation Practice
May 2: Confirmation
Your Confirmation Sponsor
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 good example. 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 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 of the candidate
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
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. 

Helpful Resources: