Confirmation
Confirmation can be celebrated as early as 8th grade in our diocese. Students must be registered parishioners and complete a two year course of study which would begin as early as 7th grade. They must be attending Mass every Sunday, perform service hours and attend two retreats. Families with students preparing for the sacrament are also ask to attend Generations of Faith classes once a month as a family.
A program is also available for students in high school who may not have been confirmed in eighth grade. High school students preparing for this sacrament are expected to be active participants in both youth ministry and catechetical programs in order to receive the sacrament.
A sponsor is required; who must be at least 16 years of age, active in their faith, and have received both Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. A letter from their Pastor is required if they are not members of St. Paul.
2013 Confirmation Details (April 23 – 7 p.m.)
In preparation for our Confirmation Mass please remember that our rehearsal begins promptly at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 22nd. All those preparing to be Confirmed and their sponsor (or stand in) must attend the rehearsal. We will gather in Fellowship Hall and then proceed into the Sanctuary. We will practice the processions, seating assignments, the music, and of the Laying on of Hands. Attire for the rehearsal should be respectable because we will be in the Sanctuary for most of the rehearsal. This means all shirts should have sleeves; shorts/skirts should have longer hemlines; and no flip flops.
The Confirmation Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23th at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Those being Confirmed along with their sponsor should arrive no later then 6 p.m. Again, we will meet in Fellowship Hall at this time to prepare for meeting the Bishop and for the Mass.
Attire for the Confirmation Mass is dressy. Gentlemen are not required to wear a suit; but they should at a minimum wear nice pants with a shirt and tie and nice shoes. Ladies attire should not be sleeveless. If the dress or top has no sleeves then a sweater or shawl type cover must be worn. Hem lines should be modest. No flip flops or flip flop type footwear can be worn to this Mass.
We have 50 teens being Confirmed so we anticipate at least a 1 1/2 hour ceremony. Afterwards everyone is invited to celebrate at a reception in the Gym. Families can take pictures with the Bishop at that time.
Father Joe, Jeannine, Michelle, Chris, all the Catechists and Peer Ministers and I wish your friends and families safe travels as we prepare for this wonderful occasion. We will continue to pray for you and your families and we are looking forward to a lovely and joyful Confirmation.