Confirmation
Process at St. Clement’s Parish
Immediate Preparation Process for Confirmation begins with the
10th Grade, or Level I. During this first series of
sessions the candidates experience a time of “Invitation” and
“Formation”. The third series of sessions begin in the 11th
Grade, or Level II of Confirmation. During this time the
candidates enter into a time of reflection and discernment
leading to the celebration of Sacrament of Confirmation.
Confirmation Process 2011/2012
Beginning in September 2008, 10th grade youth, whether attending
public or Catholic schools, who desire to be confirmed in their
11th year, are asked to participate in the two year process.
Youth who attend a Catholic school are expected to attend all
the catechetical sessions. This policy change for Catholic
school youth is based on our awareness that not all Catholic
high school religion courses focus on the Sacrament of
Confirmation and the commitment it calls forth to live one's
Catholic faith publicly. An additional advantage of a two year
immediate preparation process for both Catholic and public
school youths is that it also allows for Catholic School youths
and public school youths to form communal bonds as brothers and
sisters in the Lord. This is not done as effectively when
Catholic school youth only participate in the final phase of the
preparation.
Further, preparation is not strictly an "academic" undertaking,
but a comprehensive preparation as described in this document.
This preparation for a Sacrament of Initiation is properly
undertaken within a parish rather than a school setting.
Catholic school youths are also expected to participate in the
parish Confirmation retreat experience, the Christian service
project and other community building activities. Please continue
reading below about our philosophy, our process and
requirements.
Preparing for Confirmation at St. Clement's
Sacraments as
Gifts of the Redeemer
St. Clement’s Parish approaches Confirmation from two important
perspectives. The
first is that every sacrament is a
gift of the Risen
Christ to his Church. These sacred gifts require something of us
as a Community of Faith and as individuals called to be
disciples of the Lord Jesus.
We show our respect for the integrity of the
sacrament by making sure the individual has an understanding of
its meaning and importance in the Christian life. (In the case
of infant baptism the church prepares the parents who act in the
name of their child).
St. Clement’s affirms the sacred character of the
seven sacraments
in keeping with
the teachings and tradition of the Catholic Church. This affirmation
embraces our respect for the universal and diocesan norms for
reception of the sacraments.
St. Clement’s Parish also approaches the Sacrament of
Confirmation from the perspective of the individual. The
seriousness involved in any sacrament calls the individual
and the local
Community of Faith to discern together the candidate’s readiness
for the Sacrament. This discernment – or spiritual
decision-making process - recognizes that sacraments are not
given because one is at a “certain age” or in a “specific
grade.”
Our Parish
Process
As mentioned above, St. Clement’s Parish provides a two year
spiritual preparation process for the reception of the Sacrament
of Confirmation. Through the parish’s Faith Formation process
the candidate desiring Confirmation agrees to enter into a
special process so as to thoughtfully prepare for the gift of
the Holy Spirit celebrated in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
This presupposes a readiness and a willingness on the
part of the candidate
to commit to the preparatory process that concludes with
the celebration of the Sacrament, usually in the Spring.
The comprehensive process has four dimensions: catechesis
(study and reflection); prayer and discernment;
Christian service; community building. Each dimension
is important in preparing for this final Sacrament of Christian
Initiation. Our catechetical sessions for Level II (second year
candidates) meet at the parish center on Sunday evenings from
6:15 t0 7:30pm. Level I Sessions meet on Monday & Tuesday
evenings 7pm to 8pm and Sunday 3:45 pm to 4:45pm.
Candidates have the opportunity to celebrate Eucharist at the
parish's Sunday afternoon liturgy at 5:00 PM.
In keeping with parish policy and Safe Environments for our
youth; all learning sessions are held on campus and not in
private homes.
The decision to enter into this process and to request
Confirmation, therefore, must be the individual’s and made
without undue pressure from anyone. At the same time because
sacraments belong to the Catholic Community of Faith and not
just to an individual, the candidate’s decision is also made in
consultation with other significant adults, such as one’s
parents, pastor, and/or Faith Formation leaders who have been
involved in the preparation process.
All individuals who fulfill the basic requirements set forth by
Canon and Diocesan Law and feel they are ready to make a public
commitment to Jesus Christ and receive the power and grace of
the Spirit are asked to present themselves to the Church to
prepare for the Sacrament.
The Requirements:
vIn
order to approach the Church for the Sacrament of Confirmation,
diocesan policy requires that a candidate be baptized, in at
least 10th grade, and not younger than 15 years of
age. (NB: Because St.
Clement's is a large parish we limit our candidates to youth in
the 11th & 12th grades.
We ask for proof of baptism when this information is not
already on file in our office).
vCandidates
currently attending a public high school or being home schooled
are encouraged to be active in a parish faith formation
process prior to coming forward for Confirmation.
vAll
candidates are required to participate in a Confirmation retreat
experience either sponsored by St. Clement’s Parish or another
parish that is approved by St. Clement’s Faith Formation
Leaders.
v Sacraments are celebrated in a parish community rather than a
school community.
In addition to what
has already been stated,
Catholic school youth who desire the Sacrament of
Confirmation are required to participate in the following
aspects of our process: prayer/Confirmation retreat experiences,
a parish service project, and other community building
activities.
v
It is expected
that all candidates attend weekend Mass on a regular basis.
Candidates will be asked to sign a pledge card stating they
commit to attend Sunday mass weekly.
v
All candidates
and their parents or sponsors are required
to participate in the 4 preparatory rituals offered either at
St. Clement’s or at a neighboring parish.
v Additionally,
in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
candidates are asked to be in a state of grace prior to
receiving the Sacrament.
Therefore, just prior to the celebration of Confirmation
a Communal Celebration of Reconciliation with opportunity for
private Confession is provided.
It is expected that candidates with a sponsor or
parent will participate at least in the Communal Reconciliation
aspect. Celebrating private confession at this time remains
a personal matter.
v If
a candidate is absent for more than 25% of the preparation
sessions in Level I or Level II the candidate and a parent will
be asked to meet with the process director to evaluate his/her
candidacy for Confirmation at this time. Likewise, this
applies to the candidate's participation in the required
retreat, prayer rituals and class service project.
What is a Confirmation sponsor?
A sponsor, chosen by the candidate, is a person of faith, who
will accompany the candidate on his/her spiritual journey.
Therefore, the Confirmation sponsor must be a Catholic in good
standing and is asked to submit to us a
"Good Standing"
form completed by one of the following; the Pastor/Parish Life
Director of the Catholic parish where the sponsor worships
regularly or, if the proposed sponsor is currently a college
student, from the Catholic Campus Minister or Priest Chaplain of
the college/university.
The "Good Standing" form is available in the Faith Formation
Office and is mailed directly to the candidate who is
responsible for passing it on to their chosen sponsor.
Additionally, the sponsor:
· can be the same person as your
Baptismal Godparent, but may
NOT be the
candidate's parents.
· must be at least 16 years of age who
has already been Confirmed in the Catholic Church. Because our
process involves active reflection sessions between the sponsor
and the candidate and attendance at various prayer services it
is highly preferred that the sponsor lives locally. The
sponsor should also be someone who feels comfortable sharing and
talking about spiritual matters.
About a
Confirmation name:
You are welcome to use this opportunity to choose a Confirmation
name in honor of a saint or Christian hero, or a Christian
virtue or ideal (such as ‘Faith’, ‘Hope’, ‘ Mercia ’).
The name can be in English or Latin or another language
(‘Maria’ or ‘Mario’ are examples). Since the Confirmation
candidate is completing his/her Sacraments of Christian
Initiation, begun at Baptism, it is appropriate to use one’s
Baptismal name at the Confirmation celebration.
The Date For Confirmation
The date for Confirmation is set by the Bishop's office.
The Faith Formation leaders are asked to submit dates, but the
final decision is determined by the bishop.
Contact Information:
Fr. Neil Neil Draves-Arpaia,
Director of Whole Community Catechesis
(518) 587-3611 ext 15 or email:
padre1 @ scpny.org
Kurt Lawrence,
Director of Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator
(518) 587-3611 ext 28 or email:
lawrence.k @ scpny.org
Fran Fay, Administrative
Asst. for Confirmation Prep.
(518) 587-3611 ext 29 or email:
fay.f @ scpny.org
