8th Graders, you are almost there! In this last semester of preperation for Confirmation, you have a few things to do aside from your online lessons and Zoom calls. Parents and guardians, there're forms and FAQs for you below.
Baptism Verification Form Due by 3/31
This form is important as a person must have recieved baptism in order to be Confirmed.
If your child was not baptized at Saint Alphonsus or Saint Alexis (now Saint Aidan), we need you to secure a copy of their baptismal certificate and have it sent to Saint Aidan's. This is a regular process for parishes across the world. Mail to:
Saint Aidan Parish
ATTN: Confirmation
10090 Old Perry Hwy
Wexford, PA 15090
Confirmation Verification Form Due by 3/31
This form is so that we have all corret information for sacramental record keeping. This form is important in that it collects the information of your child's sponsor.
When: March 14th, 1pm-6pm
Where: Saint Alexis Church (drop off at Cafeteria)
Retreat Permission Due by 3/12
In normal situations it is mandatory a student attend a retreat for Confirmation prep. This year it is OPTIONAL due to COVID-19 and health concerns. That being said, we still need a headcount. We will be using the cafeteria at Saint Alexis and Saint Alexis Church for retreat. Both spaces provide ample distancing for our 40, 8th graders.
The members of Christ’s body share the mission as the Church celebrates the pouring out of the Spirit upon the baptized in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Through the sacrament of confirmation, those who have been born anew in baptism receive the inexpressible Gift, the Holy Spirit himself, by which “they are endowed...with special strength.” They are “bound more intimately to the Church” and “Are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and deed as true witnesses of Christ.” (Apostolic Constitution on the Sacrament of Confirmation, 1971 by Pope Paul VI)
As parents you stood proudly at your child’s baptism. You could scarcely imagine the path your family might take in the ensuing months and years. Filled with joy and hope you committed to raising your child in the Church. Time seems to move so quickly as you watch your child grow into their teen years. The promises you made at the time of their baptism seem to be more and more challenging to meet as the priorities of life pull your family in seemingly countless directions. And yet you trust in God’s Spirit to guide you to this place where your child stands at the entrance to the Church. In the coming months we will all work together to ensure that your child can be presented to the Bishop as “fully prepared” to be confirmed.
Those being Confirmed should be prayerfully considering their desire to be Confirmed, who it is they will be choosing as their sponsor, and the Saint who's name they would like to take. In addition, they must complete their preparation for the sacrament:
A sponsor is to accompany the candidate for confirmation. The sponsor sees to it that the confirmed person acts as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations connected with this sacrament.
To be a sponsor for a Confirmation candidate one must:
The sacraments of initiation are parish events in which diverse members of the parish work together with the Confirmation candidate and their family to prepare them for the Sacrament.
Baptized children have the right to the love and support of the community. Their preparation for Confirmation is one of the highest responsibilities of the people of God. Churches provide the candidates with a spirit of welcome and opportunities for involvement in parish life.
Pastors should see that all the baptized come to the fullness of Christian initiation and are carefully prepared for Confirmation. They should see that the sponsors chosen by the candidates are spiritually qualified for the office and fulfill the requirements listed below.
In fulfilling their role, parents are to strive to increase a spirit of faith in their children, help them to prepare to celebrate the sacrament, and to give expression to their own faith through active participation in and celebration of the sacraments. (RC 3) Parents/Guardians are asked to support their children by guiding them on their journey to receiving the Holy Spirit at confirmation through prayer, assistance with assignments, service work, Confirmation preparation classes and the Confirmation retreat. Perhaps the most important role of parents is to facilitate regular attendance at Mass where we receive our spiritual nourishment. By making Confirmation preparation a priority, parents witness to the importance of our Catholic faith. Please discuss your plans to do so with your child so that conflicts with other activities are put in proper perspective.
While we traditionally request a late fall Confirmation, we will not be informed of the date until the summer.
This is when the Bishop’s Office informs us of the date. You will be notified immediately when we know this year’s date.
Please note that Confirmation candidates and sponsors should be dressed modestly in clothes that they would wear for a wedding reception. Wear dress clothes—boys in dress shirts, nice slacks, nice shoes (not sneakers), and girls in a modest (non-revealing) dress (no jeans). Please keep in mind, that they will be standing in front of the bishop.