Sacrament of Confirmation 2006-2007
10th Grade or higher

What is Confirmation?
Confirmation communicates to us the same fullness of the Spirit that the disciples received on Pentecost. It perfects what was begun in Baptism, strengthens our bond with the Church, and empowers us, as disciples, to serve and be witnesses of Jesus in the world.

What are the Requirements for Reception of this Sacrament?
With the understanding that catechesis and formation is a life-long process, recognizing that reception of this sacrament is a gift freely given, and being sensitive to the reality that life in the teen years is extremely busy, the process for preparing for this sacrament is minimal.

Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation takes place during the sophomore year of high school. Reception of the sacrament concludes the process in late spring/early summer of that year. Following diocesan guidelines, the process for Confirmation is a two-year process. This assumes, then, that candidates have been catechized in some way, during their ninth grade year. Attending TUFF regularly is ninth grade catechesis. Other requirements are as follows:

• You must already be baptized and have received the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation.
• You must choose a sponsor who will journey with you through this process. Your sponsor or a proxy¹ will need to be available for select monthly topic presentations and parish Rites. They do not have to participate in the Weekend Retreat.
• You must participate fully in the preparation process, which includes...
      a. Topic presentation - twice each month from January to May
      b. Sponsor/Candidate gathering - once each month from October to May
      c. One Weekend Retreat Experience (choice of two - Fall or Winter)
      d. Any Parish Rites that pertain to this sacrament
      e. Active participation in service opportunities (minimum of 3O hours)
      f. Weekly participation in the Eucharist
      g. Weekly Participation in Youth Group - TUFF (Sunday 7-9 pm)
      h. Candidate Letter
  

The Role of the Sponsor
In this process the sponsor has a very significant role. They are asked to journey with their candidate throughout the year of preparation, which includes monthly gatherings.

Sponsors are asked to participate with their candidate in select topic presentation each month. In addition, topic facilitators will give the candidates and sponsors specific information to share and discuss at a later time of their choosing during that same month.

Sponsors will also be responsible to participate in the Rite of Invitation and, of course, the Confirmation Rite.

Requirements to be a Sponsor
The following are the requirements for eligibility as a sponsor for confirmation:
(Canon 874)
    • Sponsor must be an acceptable choice of the candidate to be confirmed
    • Sponsor must be twenty years of age or older ²
    • Sponsor must be a fully-initiated, practicing Catholic in good standing
    • Sponsor cannot be the candidate‘s mother or father

Candidate Letter
The following items should be included in a letter to the instructor:
    • Introduce yourself, talk about your family, hobbies, etc.
    • What does it mean to you to be Catholic?
    • Why did you choose your service projects and how did they benefit you?
    • Explain why you are ready to be confirmed
    • What will you do to continue to grow in your faith following Confirmation?

Confirmation fees
    • Supplies - $20.00 (The Catholic Faith Handbook and Journal)
    • The cost of the Fall or Spring Weekend Retreat