CONFIRMATION

What is Confirmation? Confirmation is one of the 7 Sacraments of the Catholic Church given to us by Jesus to show His undying love for each and every one of us.  Confirmation completes the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.   Whereas Baptism joins us with Christ, Confirmation strengthens us with the Spirit. The Sacrament of Confirmation is a free, unmerited gift from Jesus Christ to us, but like any gift it is up to us to open it. It is available to all who desire it, seek it, appropriately understand it and are in the state of grace to receive it. 
What occurs during Confirmation? The Holy Spirit is first introduced to a Catholic the day that they are baptized when the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — are invoked at the ceremony. During Confirmation, God the Holy Spirit comes upon the person, accompanied by God the Father and God the Son, just as he did at Pentecost (Feast of Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit from heaven to earth upon the apostles occurring 50 days after Easter and 10 days after Jesus' Ascension -Acts 2:1–4).  This sacrament is called Confirmation, because the faith chosen by the parents and given in Baptism is now completed and made strong through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Sacrament of Confirmation is not about the teen committing to something; it's about the teen allowing the Holy Spirit to work on and through them.  Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ and His Church. 
When can a youth be Confirmed? In our Diocese the age is for Confirmation is 16, or in the Sophomore.  To fully prepare the candidate the process of preparation starts in the middle of the Freshman year. If you would like more information on how to get the Confirmation process started, please contact Rhonda Kelsey in the Parish Office.  If you are an adult seeking to be Confirmed, please contact Deacon John.