Confirmation Parents Handbook
Saint Edward Youth Program
2105-2016
SAINT EDWARD CHURCH CONFIRMATION POLICY
The Confirmation Policy of Saint Edward Church follows that of the Diocese of Las Cruces. It
pertains to those teens who received baptism at an early age. Those adults or children of
catechetical age (age 7) who are seeking baptism or full communion within the Catholic
Church are to participate in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Parishes which
have adults seeking confirmation should follow the specific section in the Appendix of OCIA for
use in the United States.
Confirmation is one aspect of the Church's total initiation practice. Confirmation should be
related to the sacraments of baptism and Eucharist, and should be experienced as such as
much as it is possible.
Initiation involves the concern of the whole Church, for it is the life-blood of the Church.
Therefore, bishops, pastors, catechists, candidates, sponsors, parents, and all parishioners
should be involved.
Formation into a life of faith-commitment takes time. Catechesis should not be rushed. The
total preparation for the sacrament of confirmation should not normally be included in a grade
level curriculum.
Each parish in the Diocese of Las Cruces will at regular intervals, invite all persons who are in
their junior year of high school, or at least sixteen years of age if they are out of high school, to
participate in a process of confirmation catechesis and liturgical celebration. Catechesis should
be designed to include the following components.
1. The candidate will participate in a one year program of catechetical formation which shall
consist of at least thirty hours. It is hoped that prior to the immediate preparation for the
reception of the sacrament these candidates would have been regularly and actively
participating in religious formation as provided by the parish.
2. Catechetical formation of the candidates should be patterned after the catechumenal
model of faith development.
3. The candidate should be thoroughly instructed as to the meaning of the Rite of
Confirmation, its symbolism, and practical implications. Catechesis on the meaning of the
Church and the candidates' involvement in the life of the Church is also appropriate.
4. It is appropriate to use some process by which the candidate requests confirmation; e.g., a
letter to the pastor. These requests should receive some pastoral reply. To formalize this
request by the candidate and the response of the pastor, a ceremony of commitment
should be held when the parish community is present to witness the intent of the candidate
to seek confirmation.
5. The parish should provide formation programs for parents and sponsors to enable them to
better understand the history of the sacrament and its meaning for Christian living. As the
primary educators of their children, parents, along with sponsors, are to be intimately
involved in catechesis for confirmation. This will help them renew and strengthen their own
faith as well as enable them to set an example for their youth. A minimum of four contact
hours of preparation for parents and sponsors is required.
6. Preparation for confirmation involves some involvement in Christian witness. This
experience should flow naturally from service involvements that are already a normal part
of parish life and the ongoing youth ministry of the parish. A minimum of ten hours of their
service is recommended.
7. The candidate should be actively participating in the liturgical and sacramental life of the
parish. Catechesis should enable the candidates to articulate a sense of God and God's
presence in their lives. A retreat experience and communal celebration of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation should precede confirmation
8. The parish community should be intimately involved in the preparation that the candidates
are experiencing. Enrollment of candidates in the process of confirmation preparation
should take place when the parish community is assembled and the celebration of the
sacrament itself should include participation of the community of faith.
9. In order to manifest the close relationship of confirmation to baptism, it is preferred that the
candidates retain their baptismal names. However, a special name may be chosen if
desired, in which case it should be that of a recognized saint.
10. The confirmation is to be recorded in the register of the parish in which the sacrament is
celebrated. Notation is also made in the baptismal register and sent to the church of
baptism.
11. It is preferred that there be only one sponsor for each person confirmed; however, two
sponsors are permissible (revised 1/24192). The sponsor:
A. Must be at least 16 years old;
B. Must be a practicing Catholic leading a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be
undertaken;
C. Must be fully initiated;
D. Must not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
E. May be of either sex, but it is important that the candidate be able to identify with the
sponsor in terms of Christian living;
F. May not be the parents; however, parents may present their son or daughter to the
bishop if there is also a sponsor;
G. Is to be selected by the candidate and his/her parents;
H. Ideally should be a member of the parish community who can share in the faith journey
of the candidate.
12. The sponsor should assist in the catechetical and liturgical preparation for the sacrament
and accompany the candidate to celebrate the sacrament, and help the candidate to fulfill
his/her baptismal promises faithfully under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CONFIRMATION
1. Must be a junior in high school, or if out of school at least 16 years of age; Must be participating
regularly and actively in religious formation as provided by the Parish (Religious education, PreConfirmation, etc);
2. Preferably should retain his/her Baptismal name, but if choosing a special name, it should be of a
recognized saint;
3. Regardless of your registration date, absences will begin counting as of the first day of class.
Students are only permitted to miss 5 classes during the year. Excessive absences will result in the
student being dropped from the Confirmation classes.
4. Should chose a sponsor early in the program (Right of Choice Liturgy); Completed and signed
sponsor form( s) need to be turned in at the time of registration so the sponsors can be approved.
The sponsor needs to be involved in the formation of their candidates, together with parents, during
the 2015/2016 year. Enclosed with this letter are the requirements for being a candidate and a
sponsor (as dictated by the diocese) and a sponsor registration form.
5. Must be baptized and in a state of grace; A copy of the Candidate’s baptismal record needs to be
turned in at the time of registration. They will NOT be accepted after October 18th and the
candidate will NOT be eligible for Confirmation in May 2016.
6. An appointment with Fr. Pasala MUST be completed before October 30, 2015. If this appointment is
not completed by the above date the candidate will NOT be eligible for Confirmation in May 2016.
Please call the Parish Office at 885-6600 to set up this appointment.
7. Participates in a liturgical and sacramental life; Candidates will faithfully attend EVERY Sunday
Mass and sign the confirmation book. Failure to attend mass will result in a conference with Fr.
Pasala to reevaluate the student's commitment to the sacrament.
8. Candidates will faithfully attend every Confirmation class.
9. Candidates will complete at least ten (10) hours of service to St. Edward Church.
10. Candidates will participate in a One-Day Confirmation Retreat and an Overnight Confirmation
Retreat.
11. All Confirmation Candidates will be required to attend all spiritual events, such as Adoration, Youth
Masses or other spiritual events that Fr. may schedule.
There will be NO exceptions to the above requirements. Receiving Confirmation is a very important
step in our Church and those candidates who seek confirmation need to be responsible and alert.
Confirmation Ceremony Dress/Attire
The following is a list of what the Confirmation Candidates are required to wear for the Confirmation
Ceremony:
Girl's Attire: White Tea length dress ( mini skirts, spaghetti strap, or strapless dresses MAY NOT
BE WORN.)
Boy's Attire: Black Slacks (not torn, faded, or baggy) White dress shirt (tie is optional.)
CONFIRMATION CANDIDATE RESPONSIBILITIES
There are three separate decisions that you will be called on to make in the next several
months. We want you to be able to make all three decisions as intelligently and freely as
possible.
The first and most important is a decision you keep affirming throughout your life; The
decision to say “yes” to confirm your faith in your heart and in your life.
Second is the decision to celebrate Confirmation; to go through the public, sacramental
ceremony which expresses you commitment to the faith.
Third, you must decide to commit yourself to this program of faith affirmation and
sacramental preparation; to attend all training sessions, to participate in both retreats, to
perform service to the Church, to participate in Mass (every week and Holy Days of
Obligation), and to do all necessary assignments.
These decisions are yours to make. Your pastor, your friends and relatives, your teachers can’t
make them for you. It is your decision to attend or not. A decision not to attend the entire
program implies a decision not to be confirmed at this time.
If at any time during the program, you feel that you are not ready for this kind of commitment,
please feel free to drop out.
PLEASE DO NOT DECIDE TO CELEBRATE CONFIRMATION FOR THE WRONG
REASONS: just to get it over with, or because your parents or grandparents want you to, or
because your friends are.
CELEBRATE CONFIRMATION FOR THE RIGHT REASON: BECAUSE YOU WANT TO KEEP
AFFIRMING YOUR FAITH AND BELIEFS.
I AGREE TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE
Candidate
Date
Parents
Date
CONFIRMATION INFORMATION FORM
Name: _____________________________
Date of Birth:________________________
Address:___________________________
City_________________________ State _______ Zip ____
Home Phone _________________ Cell _______________
Name of Father/Legal Guardian:_______________________________
Address:___________________________
City_________________________ State _______ Zip ____
Home Phone ___________ Cell _______________ Work:__________
Name of Mother/Legal Guardian ______________________________
Address:___________________________
City_________________________ State _______ Zip ____
Home Phone ___________ Cell _______________ Work:__________
Date of Baptism:________________
Place of Baptism (name of church):______________________
Address:___________________________
City_________________________ State _______ Zip ____
Date of First Communion:___________________________
Place of First Communion (name of church):_________________
Address:___________________________
City_________________________ State _______ Zip ____
Candidate's Confirmation Name:_______________________________
Sponsor Name:____________________________________________
Name of Sponsor's Parish:___________________________________
Address:___________________________
City_________________________ State _______ Zip ____
Faith Knowledge
Be prepared to answer questions, such as:
Who is God and Why did He make us?
What is faith, hope and love ... and ... do they help us?
What are the Ten Commandments?
Name the Seven Sacraments
Name the Laws of the Church
Know your Basic Prayers
What other types of prayers are there?
What are the Beatitudes and how they help us?
Name the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
What are the Cardinal sins and virtues?
What are the Rites of the Church?
How to make moral decisions ... and ... who or what help us make
those decisions?
What is sin?
What is the differences between a mortal and venial sin?
How to say the Rosary
Church Calendar and how it is divided
Why we have Saints and why we honor them?
How is the Mass divided and why?
What is the Bible and how is it divided?
What are the Holy days and what should we do on them?
What is Spirituality?
Who is my sponsor for Confirmation and are they qualified?
What are some ways to fill my service hours?
And the Biggie .......... Why do you want to be confirmed?
Basic Prayers
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you!
Blessed are you among women and blessed
is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Glory to the Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and
to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Blessing Before Meals
Bless us, 0 Lord, and these Thy gifts, which
we are about to receive
From Thy bounty, Through Christ our Lord.
Amen
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be
Thy name;
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on
earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive
us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against
us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil.
Amen.
The Seven Sacraments
1. Baptism
2. Confirmation
3. Eucharist
4. Reconciliation
5. Anointing of the Sick
6. Matrimony
7. Holy Orders
An Act of Contrition
0h my God, I am sorry for my sins, with all
my heart.
For choosing to do wrong and failing to do
good,
I have sinned against you whom I should
love above all things
I firmly intend, with your help, to do
Penance, to sin no more, and to avoid
whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ suffered and died
for us. In his name, my God, have Mercy.
Amen.
The Ten Commandments
1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not
have other gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord,
your God, in vain
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath
day.
4. Honor your father and mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness against
your neighbor.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs
to your neighbor
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
Of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
The Only begotten Son of God,
Born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
True God from True God,
Begotten not made,
Consubstantial with the Father;
Through Him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
He came down from heaven,
And by the Holy Spirit
Was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
And became man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried,
And rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
To judge the living and the dead
And his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Fathers and the Son
Is adored and glorified,
Who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism
For the forgiveness of sins
And I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
And the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Preparing for Confirmation
Loving God,
You planned to center everything in Christ, and to draw us into His allembracing love.
Guide us, especially, who are preparing to celebrate Confirmation.
Strengthen us in our vocation, build us into the kingdom of your Son,
and seal us with the Spirit of your promise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
- Amen
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
- Amen
Sponsor’s Prayer
Loving, gracious God, send your Holy Spirit upon me.
Make me more aware of the many ways of your presence
The Spirit's gifts within me, around me, continually and constantly.
I thank you that you have chosen me from my birth.
That I have been chosen now to sponsor
Bless us on our journey.
Open our ears to always listen;
Our mouths to always speak our feelings, our reflections;
Our hands to reach out to others;
Our hearts to grow closer to You and all in Your family.
Lord, send your Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
Renew my commitment, my openness,
So that I may do all you are asking of me.
- Amen
2015 - 2016 Saint Edward Youth Program
9th through 12th Grade Catechism & Conformation Preparation
Sep 13
Parent Meeting
Feb 7
Class
Sep 20
Introduction / Adoration
Feb 14
Class
Sep 27
Class
Feb 21
Class
Oct 4
Class
Feb 28
Adoration
Oct 11
Class
Mar 6
Class
Oct 18
Class
Mar 13
Class
Oct 25
Adoration
Mar 20
Adoration
Nov 1
Class
Apr 3
Class
Nov 8
Class
Apr 10
Class
Nov 15
Adoration
Apr 17
Class
Dec 6
Class
Apr 24
Adoration
Dec 13
Adoration
May 1
Class
Jan 10
Class
May 15
Class
Jan 17
Class
May 22
Class
Jan 24
Class
May 29
Final Day / Adoration
Jan 31
Adoration
To Be Decided:
• 1-Day Conformation Retreat
• Overnight Conformation Retreat
• Confirmation Mass