Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Confirmation: Sacrament Preparation Process for Parish Youth (as of June 6, 2016) Faith Formation Staff Father Michael Ward, K.H.S Pastor Mary Clinton. Pastoral Assoc. for Faith Formation Janet Manfredonia.Faith Formation Secretary Katie Willis Director of Music Matthew Boyle Director of Youth Ministry
Step One: Parent/Child Inquiry Meeting Near the end of the school year, all parish youth (generally 7 th graders) and their parents attend an information meeting to learn about the preparation process, requirements and next steps. It is the expectation that the 7 th graders have received ongoing religious education in grades 1 7 at a Catholic school or in a parish religious education program, and that they and their families attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses. Step Two: Family Discernment Interview During the summer preceding Year One Preparation (generally, 8 th grade), each young person and at least one parent participates in a Family Discernment Interview. The purpose of the interview is to facilitate a conversation between the parent and child regarding: o What the sacrament of Confirmation is; o Why someone would want to pursue being confirmed; o Encouraging them to ask questions and be fully informed before committing to enter formal preparation at the Rite of Promise during 8 th grade; o Reinforcing a clear understanding that desiring to be confirmed is a choice on the part of the young person, and entering into sacrament preparation requires desire and motivation on the part of the young person, supported by the family. Confirmation is not a conveyor belt event that you get when you reach 9 th grade. It is a supernatural encounter with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit that requires a personal response to what God is calling each person to do and be, and a solid understanding of the basic teachings of the Catholic faith. 2
o The importance of weekly attendance at Sunday and Holy Day Masses Step Three: Submitting the Sacrament Preparation Request Form After completing the Family Discernment Interview, the family should submit the Sacrament Preparation Request Form, assuming that the young person, supported by his/her parents, wishes to prepare for the sacrament. The young person s name will be entered on the list for sacrament preparation for Confirmation and participation in the Rite of Promise. Step Four: Participation in Year One Preparation The following components are part of Year One Preparation: Knowledge of Faith Instruction in basic Catholic Church teachings Textbooks: Our Catholic Identity completed prior to Sept. Confirmed in the Spirit Fall through Spring Spiritual/Liturgical Continuing attendance at Sunday and Holy Day Masses Participation in the following rites that take place at parish Masses: Rite of Promise (signifying beginning of formal preparation) Rite of Sponsors (sponsor reflection required) Rite of Names (name reflection required) 3
Rite of Service (service reflection required) Call to Discipleship Young people are required to undertake a Christian Service Commitment. They are invited to choose an opportunity within the parish, or identify another worthwhile commitment. (Attendees at Summer Discipleship Academy will be involved in a variety of service experiences.) Young people are encouraged to become involved in parish life as a way of nurturing their living faith within the Immaculate Conception faith community. Step Five: Confirmation Interview After completing Year One Preparation, each young person will contact one of the parish priests or the pastoral staff to arrange for an interview. The purpose of the interview is to have a reflective conversation in light of his/her past year s experiences, and to assess his/her own readiness and desire to become a candidate for Confirmation. The young person, in consultation with family and parish staff will decide whether or not to become a candidate for the sacrament of Confirmation. Step Six: Covenant Ceremony If, following the Confirmation Interview, the young person has decided to enter into candidacy for Confirmation, he/she will participate in the Covenant Ceremony which takes place at a parish Mass during the fall of that year (generally, 9 th grade). 4
Step Seven: Participation in Year Two Preparation The following components are part of Year Two Preparation: Covenant Ceremony at a parish Mass, all young people who have chosen to become candidates for Confirmation will formally enter candidacy at a parish Mass. Five Mini-Retreats/Special Programs according to the Liturgical Seasons One full-day Confirmation Retreat Completion of Christian Service Commitment Continuing participation at Sunday and Holy Day Masses Continuing involvement in parish life Step Eight: Rite of Confirmation During Easter season following the completion of two years of preparation, the Confirmation candidates are confirmed by the bishop at a parish Mass. Period of Mystagogia Following Confirmation, as a fully initiated Catholic confirmed in the faith, each young person is welcome and encouraged in living their faith within the Immaculate Heart of Mary faith community. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he/she joins every other confirmed Catholic in following Jesus Christ. We join in the evangelizing mission of the Church in carrying the Good News of Jesus to the world, and living lives of Christian service. 5