​CONFIRMATION MASS 2023
 Thursday, NOVEMBER 30, 2023
AT 7:00 PM
# OF PEOPLE ATTENDING CONFIRMATION MASS
​WITH YOUR FAMILY

Number Attending Mass with your Student
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UPCOMING MEETINGS-  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
PARENT/STUDENT MEETING-  (For St. Patrick School Students
April 23rd  9:45- 10:50  AM SCHINDLER HALL
PARENT/STUDENT MEETING  - (For CFP Students)
September 10 9:45-10:50 am in JPII Youth Room
​SPONSOR/STUDENT MEETING- September 17th 9:45- 10:50 AM  SCHINDLER HALL
​For both School and CFP 
(If sponsor is out of town or can not attend a parent can take the sponsors place at this meeting.)

WELCOME TO CONFIRMATION PREPARATION

On behalf of the Community of St. Patrick, we welcome your family to the Confirmation Program and pray that you and your daughter or son will have many growing experiences into the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation completes the process of initiation into the Holy Catholic Church and sets the newly confirmed on the way of Discipleship. 
Parents, you are the primary faith educators of your child. Over the coming months, candidates will be doing much reflecting,  sharing, praying, celebrating, caring and growing in the sacramental knowledge of our faith. St. Patrick is committed to supporting  these young people every step of the way.

CONFIRMATION PRAYER FOR CANDIDATES
God, our father,
We ask you to bless all candidates 
who are now preparing to receive the spirit of your love in the Sacrament of Confirmation. 
May the gifts within each one
be touched by your Holy Spirit 
and become blessings for our parish family. 
Bless, too, our parents, our sponsors, our teachers and Catechists, and all those who have been the reflection of your son’s love for us. 
This we ask you through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

​Registration for Confirmation
 Formation 
Program (CFP)
7th & 8th grade students who do not attend
St. Patrick Catholic School should officially enroll in St Patrick Confirmation Formation Program (CFE)  ​by clicking the
blue button below.

PLEASE SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR MORE CFP INFORMATION

CONFIRMATION PROGRAM

Preview Video for St. Patrick School Students and
​7th & 8th Grade CFP Confirmation Resource- CHOSEN

Video from Chosen for
Parent/Student Confirmation Meeting

Confirmation Resource- DECISION POINT
Preview Video for St. Patrick CFP Students
This Resource is used for our Adapted Process-
Those students who did not attend the 7th grade Confirmation Formation Program. 

CONFIRMATION CALENDAR INFORMATION 

QUICK REFERENCE BUTTONS

RETREATS
In order to be Confirmed, students must make a retreat. In past years we provided a separate Confirmation Retreat for our Candidates. This year, we are allowing any student that goes on the annual 8th grade girls retreat or the 8th grade guys retreat to use these retreats for the retreat requirement for Confirmation. If  any St. Patrick School Students do not go on their 8th Grade Retreats they are able to attend the the CFP Confirmation Retreat as an alternative. If none of these retreat dates work into your schedule, then a retreat given by another parish's Confirmation Class is an option. The retreat must occur before our Confirmation date.

​ST. PATRICK 
8TH GRADE RETREATS

GIRLS RETREAT
SEPTEMBER 11/12, 2023
GUY'S RETREAT
SEPTEMBER 14/15, 2023
We will leave St. Patrick school on Monday at Noon and return around 3 pm on Tuesday. 

More detailed information will be sent as the date draws near. This information will also be posted below when it is available. ​

Girl's Retreat Information

Guy's Retreat Information

St. Patrick 7th and 8th Grade Confirmation Formation Program CFP has several Options for their Confirmation Retreat:
St. Patrick 8th Grade Retreats
​GIRLS RETREAT
SEPTEMBER 11/12, 2023
GUY'S RETREAT
SEPTEMBER 14/15, 2023
Or
HOLY FIRE
OCTOBER 21, 2023
6:30am -10:00 pm in Nashville, TN 
Please note: Cost for the Holy Fire Retreat are covered in your CFP fee. You will need to pay an additional $75 if you choose the overnight retreat.
The producers of the nation’s largest Catholic youth event, NCYC, invite middle school students to a one-day experience of dynamic speakers, music, and the sacrament of the Eucharist like they have never before experienced. At Holy Fire, young people will be invited and challenged to embrace their baptismal call and embrace the relevant and powerful gospel of Jesus. 
If a student is unable to make the retreat date!
Please contact the Youth Office for another alternate solution. Please remember, a student must make a retreat before Confirmation.

Click the button below to register for the 7th and  and 8th Grade CFP/Alternate Retreat.

RECONCILIATION
St. Patrick School Students will have the opportunity for Reconciliation during their Class Retreat.

CFP Students: Our scheduled Reconciliation will be held during CFP Session. See Schedule
​
The sacrament of Reconciliation needs to be completed within the year.
If you were unable to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the Class Retreat please note the following:

Reconciliation is offered at St. Patrick on Saturday's before Mass at 4:00- 4:45 pm. You can also contact the parish office to make an appointment with the parish priest. Please call 244-6083.​
CANDIDATES PASTORAL INTERVIEW
Each of our 8th Grade Students will be interview by a member of the pastoral staff before Confirmation. A list of possible question can be found in the blue buttons above. The most important question your interviewer will ask you...  Is it your desire to be Confirmed?

For CFP Students- Interview will take place on  during your CFP Sessions.  See Schedule

ST. Patrick School Students these interviews will take place during your Religion Class.
WHAT IS CONFIRMATION?
  Confirmation is a sacrament in which those who have been baptized receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord sent upon His apostles at Pentecost. It is a sacrament that celebrates God’s special strengths and gifts in those who have been baptized.
  In 1972, the Church published The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). The RCIA stresses the connection between the three sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
  • In Baptism, a person becomes a Christian and receives grace and life from the Holy Spirit.
  • In Confirmation, the baptismal vows are renewed and the sealing of the Holy Spirit serves as a preparation for a mature Christian life.
  • In Eucharist, the great sign of Christian unity, the faithful are nourished and strengthened. They are transformed into a more loving and united community of believers.
  Through these sacramental rites, the faithful are officially acknowledged as Christians. They are commissioned to carry out the mission of Christ and His Church.
  Confirmation is a parish community celebration. It provides an opportunity for members of the parish family to renew their baptismal commitment. Confirmation time in the parish is a time when the community celebrates the gifts of the Holy Spirit among them.
  It is not enough for the candidates (those eligible and preparing for Confirmation) to sit back and learn about faith from the words of a catechist or from a book. They must go out and see for themselves how the Holy Spirit is at work in the community. Confirmation preparation is the chance for them to find how the gifts of the Holy Spirit are at work every day. This also helps the candidate to be open to receiving these spiritual gifts in a special way at their Confirmation.
  Pentecost saw the Holy Spirit given to the fledgling group of people that was the Church. Peter and the others had experienced both the presence of the Risen Jesus and His Holy Spirit. These remarkable experiences fired them to begin immediately spreading the Good News that Jesus was Lord. He had risen from the dead. God is the God of welcome and love, and the power of God is available to everybody through the coming of the Spirit.
CONFIRMATION ELIGIBILITY
The St. Patrick has set 8th grade as the minimum age for Confirmation. Those currently enrolled in the 8th grade during the the school year, who successfully completes religious education requirements through St. Patrick School or St. Patrick Conformation Formation  Program (CFP) in their 7th and 8th grade year, will be eligible for Confirmation in the Fall.

REGISTRATION
Each candidate must complete a Candidate Information Sheet. Those not enrolled at St. Patrick School must also enroll in St. Patrick’s Confirmation Formation Program (CFP) or have made arrangement to participated in the Adapted Confirmation Preparation Process. If indicated on Candidate Information Form, all candidates must supply a copy of their baptismal certificate.

ST. PATRICK FAMILIES
A $35 Confirmation Program Fee needs to be collected for all
St. Patrick  Families. 

THIS VIDEO GIVES INSIGHT TO WHAT STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE CONFIRMATION PREPARATION PROCESS:
​
THE CONFIRMATION EXPERIENCE

ROLE OF THE CANDIDATE
As candidates continue preparing for Confirmation, they must:
  • Listen attentively and participate willingly in religious education
  • Respect each other’s point of view
  • Ask questions – this helps to develop a more mature understanding of Christian beliefs and make their own commitment stronger
  • Attend Mass weekly
  • Invite a practicing Catholic to be their Confirmation sponsor
  • Participate in the Youth/Parent Session, Youth/Sponsor Session and Retreat
  • Complete the Required Confirmation Checklist.
  • Participate in Pastoral Team Interview- See link for additional documents
  • Remain an active part of the Catholic community, continuing to learn about and practice their faith
  • Dress appropriately for the Confirmation Mass- See link for additional details
 ROLE OF THE PARENT(S)
Parents play a vital role in their children’s continuing initiation into full membership in the Christian community. Parents of Confirmation candidates:
Are the primary educators of their children.
  • Represent the Church by showing their child Christian example and the importance of faith
  • Are responsible for initiating their children into the sacramental life
  • Serve as models for their child by being committed Catholic/ Christians
  • Encourage their child to worship with the parish community
  • Nurture their child in faith
  • Should encourage their child to reflect on and thoroughly consider the decision to receive the sacrament of Confirmation
  • Are asked to attend meetings and programs that are planned to help their child prepare for the sacrament
  • Are not permitted as Confirmation sponsors of their own child
  • Are asked to assist their child with the immediate preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation through prayer, study, and Christian service
  • Should stress the initiation aspect of the sacrament by encouraging their children to continue learning more about their faith
  • Should help their child in understanding that Confirmation service projects are the beginning of a life committed to Christian service
  • Encourage their child to participate in parish activities
  • Commit to daily prayer for the candidates

INFORMATIONAL VIDEO TO HELP YOU
CHOOSE A SPONSOR:

ROLE OF THE SPONSOR
Sacrament of Confirmation
“Jesus called the children to himself and said, “Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of god like a child will not enter it.”
Luke 18:16-17 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is important to begin to prayerfully consider who you will select as your Confirmation Sponsor. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the final Sacrament of Initiation and is intimately associated with Baptism, the first Sacrament of Initiation; so choosing one of your Baptismal Godparents may work for you or another significant Catholic person in your life who will support you on your faith journey. Your sponsor will have to fill out the “Sponsor Information Form” and it must be turned into the youth office.
In accord with Canon 874 of the Code of Canon Law, the Confirmation Sponsor must meet the following criteria:
  • Your Confirmation Sponsor must be a practicing Roman Catholic who has celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Eucharist
  • Your Confirmation Sponsor must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Your Confirmation Sponsor must regularly attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation and give witness to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
  • Your Confirmation Sponsor must be free of all Canonical impediments. (a legal obstacle that prevents a sacrament from being performed validly)
  • Your Confirmation Sponsor may not be your Mother or Father.
  • Your Confirmation Sponsor is open to the Living Word of God in sacred scripture and the Church.
  • If your Confirmation Sponsor is not able to attend your Confirmation Mass, a proxy may be used. The proxy represents the Sponsor and must fill the same Sponsor Criteria.
Confirmation Sponsor Requirements:
  • Fill out the Sponsor interview form.
  • Candidates are to interview their sponsors and turn in the Sponsor Interview Form.
  • A parent or sponsor should participate in a service experience with the candidate if possible.
  • Attend the Youth/Sponsor Session
  • Attend the Confirmation Mass to present the student to the Archbishop to be Confirmed. 

INFORMATIONAL VIDEO TO HELP YOU
WITH YOUR SERVICE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

SERVICE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Confirmation candidates are expected to witness the Gospel message by choosing and carrying out service experiences. Such an experience is a concrete action performed in answer to the Gospel’s challenge to love our neighbor as Jesus loves us. It is hoped that such experiences can be the beginning of a lifelong effort to witness the Gospel message of service to others. Service means not receiving payment or reimbursement for your efforts.
Jesus said, “Here I am among you as one who serves.”
​ Luke 22:27
Before making a commitment to a service project, students should:
  • Find out the real needs of people in your family, neighborhood, parish, school, or community.
  • Think about the variety of ways you can use your talents and abilities to help others.
  • Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance.
To fulfill your Service Experience Requirements you need the following:
  • Two Community Outreach Service Experiences
  • Two Service Experience to St. Patrick
  • One Service Experience to Family
  • One Service Experience of your Choice
Please note:  
  • THERE ARE NO SERVICE HOURS SHEETS THAT MUST BE SIGNED OFF ON- STUDENTS WILL BE WRITING AN ESSAY ON SERVICE EXPERIENCES COMPLETED.
  • WE DO NOT REQUIRE SERVICE HOURS,​ ONLY SERVICE EXPERIENCES.
  • ​4 OF YOUR SERVICE EXPERIENCES MUST BE YOUTH MINISTRY-SPONSORED SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. YOU CAN FIND THESE EVENTS ON THE YOUTH MINISTRY JR HIGH EVENTS WEBPAGE.
  • SERVICE EXPERIENCES SERVED AS PART OF OUR SCHOOL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM CAN NOT BE COUNTED AS PART OF THE CONFIRMATION SERVICE EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS.
  • STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WRITE AN ESSAY ABOUT ALL OF THEIR SERVICE EXPERIENCES AND HOW THESE PROJECTS HELP THE STUDENTS GROW IN THEIR CATHOLIC/CHRISTIAN FAITH.

AGAIN, YOUTH MINISTRY OFFERS MANY DIRECT SERVICE ACTIVITIES  THAT STUDENTS CAN USE AS SERVICE EXPERIENCES.  THESE OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE FOUND ON THE JR. HIGH YOUTH MINISTRY WEB PAGE UNDER SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. 
​
Here are some ways others have chosen to serve:
Service Ideas Within the Community
Visit the elderly in a nursing home
Assist senior citizens with chores
Volunteer Work at the Hospital
Volunteer work at the food pantry
Tutor after school for a younger student
Volunteer at the Homeless Shelter
Walk a 5k for a Cause
Service Ideas Within the Parish
Serve at Mass
Volunteer for Adoration
Join Youth Ministry Planning Team
Volunteer with Green Thumbs
Help Setup/Clean up for Parish Events
Volunteer to help a Teacher
Help with Fish Fries

INFORMATIONAL VIDEO TO HELP
YOUR STUDENT CHOOSE A SAINT NAME
​ FOR THEIR CONFIRMATION:

CONFIRMATION SAINT NAME
It is acceptable to use the candidate’s baptismal name, if it is that of a recognized saint of the Church. Using the baptismal name for Confirmation is acceptable because it highlights the relationship between the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. If the candidate chooses to take a new name for Confirmation; it should be a name selected from the list of recognized saints of the Catholic Church. Names of saints are chosen to serve as patrons and models for those being confirmed. Candidates should choose a patron whose Christian life and virtues can be imitated. Candidates may also choose the saint who celebrates their Feast Day on the candidate’s birthday.

For CFP STUDENTS- Saint Name Essay
St. Patrick School Students- See 8th Grade Religion Teacher for details on Saint Project.
CONFIRMATION
FORMATION PROGRAM ​(CFP​)

Any Non-St. Patrick School 8th grade students who wishes to be Confirmed in the Fall  needs to fully register for CFP (Confirmation Formation Program) for the Fall Sessions. If this 8th grade student did not attend CFP/PREP in their 7th grade year they need to contact​  Jonna O'Bryan at the Parish office at244-6083 by July 1 in order to be Confirmed in Fall of ​their 8th Grade Year. ​​
PLEASE CLICK BELOW TO GET A FULL SCHEDULE OF THE FALL
​CONFIRMATION FORMATION PROGRAM FALL SESSIONS
CFP Session CALENDAR

ADAPTED CONFIRMATION
​ FORMATION PROCESS
FOR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS WHO
DID NOT ATTEND PREP CLASSES IN THEIR 7TH GRADE YEAR
For those students that have not attended the the first year of the two year Confirmation Formation Program (CFP)Formerly called PREP will need to  complete  this adapted process , along with enrollment and attendance in our Fall Confirmation  Formation Program. Once this adapted Process is fulfilled (Deadline September 7th), along with the Fall CFP Sessions and all other requirements for Confirmation are completed, students will be able to be Confirmed in November.