Updated April 2020: OLOV candidates, families and sponsors  -  Confirmation has been postponed until social distancing restrictions are eased to allow the Sacrament to take place.

"Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
                                                                                                                                   - Acts 8:14-17
Confirmation perfects baptismal grace, incorporates us more firmly into Christ and strengthens our bond with the whole Church and the mission of Christ. At Confirmation, one is strengthened in the gift  of the Holy Spirit to help them live more fully as disciples of Jesus Christ.

In our first sacrament, Baptism, people are incorporated into Christ and become part of God’s people. This makes us a “new creation through water and the Holy Spirit” (Cf. Christian Initiation, Introduction, no. 2). At  Confirmation,  people are strengthened in the image of the Lord and are sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. This renewed gift of the Holy Spirit endows the candidates “with special strength” (Cf. Lumen Gentium, no. 11) to speak the Gospel and bear witness for Christ in the world. This coming of the Holy Spirit “confirms believers more fully to Christ and strengthens them so that they may bear witness to Christ for the building up of His Body in faith and love.” (Cf. RC, no. 2). Therefore, Confirmation brings to fullness that life in the Holy Spirit into which God’s sons and daughters were first initiated at Baptism.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation

Adults - The Sacrament of Confirmation is open to Catholic adults who have been baptized and receive Holy Communion and who have a serious desire to be confirmed. Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation for adults does require a path of study on the faith, the sacraments, pastoral counseling and evaluation for readiness.

Teens -In the Diocese of Rochester the preparation is a formal two year program that is open to 8th graders (13-14 years old) and above who are baptized and have completed the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.  It is expected that youth enrolling in the program can complete program and have previously developed their Catholic faith by attending  formal religious education classes, intense at home study or by attending Catholic school. 

Preparation for Confirmation for teens requires attending classes and Mass on a regular basis and  participation in yearly Confirmation retreats. Preparation also requires the completion of  yearly service project and a final evaluation on readiness to receive the sacrament. The Sacrament of Confirmation is administered in springtime.

Contact the Deb Brinkhus at the Parish Office for more details on preparing for Confirmation.

Are you ready for Confirmation?