CONFIRMATION
is the final Sacrament of Initiation into the Catholic Faith. Prospective Candidates need to have been baptized in the Catholic faith (or made a profession of faith) and received 1st Eucharist. Other considerations include:
is the final Sacrament of Initiation into the Catholic Faith. Prospective Candidates need to have been baptized in the Catholic faith (or made a profession of faith) and received 1st Eucharist. Other considerations include:
The diocesan policy for Confirmation states that the required “pre-requisite” is
active participation in the catechetical program (or Catholic school religion class)
for one full year before a person begins the immediate preparation in their parish.
Although this is not the ideal, it is a minimal requirement for a baptized youth to
get an initial catechesis in preparation for a sacrament of initiation.
Signs of readiness:
-- They are engaged in the process through participation – although verbal
participation is a clear indicator, attentiveness, cooperation and “body
language” also speak.
--They participate regularly in Sunday Eucharist, especially if supported by
family and parish.
--They are becoming more comfortable with communal prayer.
--They are able to make connections between what they are praying and
learning and what they live. (One can identify a gift of the Spirit present in
their life, or a gift of the Spirit in which they hope to grow).
--They can envision their future as a disciple of Jesus (they can begin to set
goals that are consistent with Christian life).
--They ask questions – in an effort to come to a maturing faith, they seek to
question and probe our beliefs. This is a GOOD thing! Take care to allow
them the opportunity to explore their questions in a non-adversarial way.
Remember, Jesus responded respectfully to all his questioners, friend or foe,
using each question as an occasion for teaching. Young people will often
preface a question with “I don’t believe in....because”; in reality they are
saying, “Tell me what you believe and what it means to you”!
If interested, please contact Linda Shufelt at 518.587.5182 or youthministry@stpetersaratoga.org
active participation in the catechetical program (or Catholic school religion class)
for one full year before a person begins the immediate preparation in their parish.
Although this is not the ideal, it is a minimal requirement for a baptized youth to
get an initial catechesis in preparation for a sacrament of initiation.
Signs of readiness:
-- They are engaged in the process through participation – although verbal
participation is a clear indicator, attentiveness, cooperation and “body
language” also speak.
--They participate regularly in Sunday Eucharist, especially if supported by
family and parish.
--They are becoming more comfortable with communal prayer.
--They are able to make connections between what they are praying and
learning and what they live. (One can identify a gift of the Spirit present in
their life, or a gift of the Spirit in which they hope to grow).
--They can envision their future as a disciple of Jesus (they can begin to set
goals that are consistent with Christian life).
--They ask questions – in an effort to come to a maturing faith, they seek to
question and probe our beliefs. This is a GOOD thing! Take care to allow
them the opportunity to explore their questions in a non-adversarial way.
Remember, Jesus responded respectfully to all his questioners, friend or foe,
using each question as an occasion for teaching. Young people will often
preface a question with “I don’t believe in....because”; in reality they are
saying, “Tell me what you believe and what it means to you”!
If interested, please contact Linda Shufelt at 518.587.5182 or youthministry@stpetersaratoga.org