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Welcome to St. Patrick's Confirmation Class!
The Confirmation Program at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church seeks to assist youth that has chosen to pursue a life-long commitment to Christ by becoming fully initiated through the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Because we understand the sacrament as one of a lifetime commitment, the first step is making Confirmation preparation a priority. The diocese requires that Confirmation be celebrated in the high school years and requires that there be a minimum of two-years (four semesters) of formal Catholic education immediately prior to celebrating the Sacrament. The youth of St. Patrick will be eligible to celebrate Confirmation beginning in the spring of their sophomore year provided they have met the two-year prerequisite.
Regular participation in SPY is required as part of the Confirmation Preparation Program, as well as attending Mass weekly and participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Additional Confirmation Prep Classes and a Retreat will be scheduled.
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ATTENDANCE
Confirmation Class:
Day: Sundays
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Location: Classrooms ABC2021 Class Calendar
Preliminary Parent/Teen Confirmation Meeting: Jan 10th at 3:30 pm; Classrooms ABC
- January 24th
- February 7th
- Tentative Confirmation Retreat March 5-7
- April 18th
- May 9th
Confirmation Rehearsal: Thursday, May 20th at 6 pm
Confirmation Day: Sunday, May 23rd at 3 pm
Location: Main Church
Curriculum: “Chosen: Your Journey toward Confirmation” from Ascension PressAttendance Policies:
Only 1 (one) absence from the Confirmation Class will be excused.
Students who miss 2 (two) or more Confirmation Classes will no longer be considered a Candidate for Confirmation as they will have missed crucial parts of the preparation. Since there are only 4 classes, each class is important in forming the Candidate’s understanding of Confirmation.
After missing 2 classes a meeting will be held with the teen, parent(s), and the Director of Faith Formation to determine if the teen will be able to re-enter the program as a Candidate. This meeting must be initiated by the parents of the Teen. Scheduling the meeting is no guarantee of re-admission into the program as the meeting will be used to discern what requirements must be met to re-enter the program.
Teen Candidate is asked to attend a Retreat prior to receiving Confirmation. If your child cannot attend our retreat you must notify us immediately so that other arrangements can be made.
Tardiness: Students who arrive 20 minutes or later after confirmation classes begin will be counted as absent for that class.
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CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS
The following is reprinted from the Pastoral Manual for the Diocese of Austin.
Age of Confirmation
The age for the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation will be the early years of high school between fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) years.
Qualifications of CandidatesA. Each baptized Catholic has the right and the obligation to receive the sacrament of confirmation, but the candidate has the personal responsibility to choose to complete initiation into the faith life of the Church.
B. Candidates may request the sacrament if they:
1. Are baptized and able to renew baptismal promises, unless a grave reason suggests otherwise
2. Exhibit an active faith life and knowledge of the Church
3. Participate in the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Mass
4. Are willing to commit to active involvement in the parish confirmation catechesis
5. Are willing to respond to the call to active participation in the Church
6. Are willing to continue to learn and grow in faith following confirmation and throughout their lifetimeConfirmation Sponsors
A. The sponsor represents in a personal way the witness and support of the parish community.
B. Opportunities for catechesis should be offered to the sponsors in order to assist them in fully understanding their role in the ongoing formation of the candidates.
C. The sponsor should participate with the candidates in their preparation as well as the celebration.
D. To perform the role of sponsor, it is necessary that a person:1. Be designated by the one to be confirmed, by the parents or the one who takes their place, or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the qualifications and intention of performing the role O-6 July 28, 2017 3
2. Have completed the sixteenth (16) year, unless a different age has been established by the diocesan Bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister that an exception is to be made for a just cause
3. Be a practicing Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with faith and the role to be undertaken
4. Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared
5. Not be the father or the mother of the one to be confirmed (c. 874)E. A spouse may not serve as a sponsor for their spouse.
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PAPERWORK FOR CANDIDATEInformation needed before you can be formally registered in the Youth Confirmation Program at St. Patricks Catholic Church
- Copy of Baptism Certificate
To obtain an up to date Baptismal Certificate, contact the Church of Baptism with the following information: Name of Child, Date of Birth, Date of Baptism, Father’s name, and Mother’s name including maiden name.- Saint Patricks Registration Form & payment.
Before you complete the Youth Confirmation Preparation program, the Candidate must complete the following (due dates will be provided when preparation classes begin):- Documentation of retreat attended within 12 months of Confirmation.
- Saint Essay
- Letter requesting confirmation
- Diocese of Austin Sponsor Covenant Form. Baptismal Certificate of Sponsor
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ROLE OF THE SPONSOR
The sponsor’s function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the duties inherent in this sacrament.
A sponsor is:- A role model; a person who fully embraces and lives the Catholic faithfully together with full participation in their local Catholic Church.
- A mentor, someone to help guide and encourage the Candidate. Walking side by side as the Candidate seeks to respond to God’s call.
- A trusted adult, who is willing to stand with the Candidate not only during a ceremony but throughout life’s journey.
Code of Canon Law # 893 states:
“... that a person who would undertake the office of sponsor must fulfill the conditions mentioned in Can. 874 and that it is desirable that the sponsor chosen be the one who undertook this role at baptism.”
Canon # 874 states:
“ To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:- Be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or minister. To be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;
- Not be less than 16 years of age;
- Be a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and a person who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; (Must attend Sunday liturgy every week, be in a valid marriage if married.)
- Not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared; (Must be in a state of Grace.)
- Not be either the father or mother of the person to be confirmed.”
IN ADDITION, SPONSORS ARE ASKED TO:- PRAY FOR and WITH the candidate
- Actively participate in the process, helping and discussing the Sponsor Manual activities, while sharing their faith with their Candidate.
- Attend the Confirmation Rehearsal before Confirmation, and attend the Confirmation ceremony
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SELECTING THE NAME OF YOUR SAINT
The Communion of Saints is the persons in heaven who intercede with God on our behalf. Thus, the saints are our patrons in Heaven. In acknowledging the saints, we acknowledge our connection with them through and in Christ and to each other. Teen Candidates will be asked to select a Saint to be their patron for Confirmation and write an essay explaining their choice.
An Essay on the selected Saint should include:
Name of the Saint chosen, a brief synopsis on the life of that Saint, and “why” that saint was selected. This should reflect an understanding of that Saint. The student may also be asked why they chose this Saint. Essays must be typed, a minimum of 2 paragraphs and a maximum of 1 page.
Here are some websites to help in your research:- www.lifeteen.com, CLICK on “Saints”
- www.catholic - forum.com/saints http://www.silk.net/RelEd/saints.htm
- http://www.catholic.org/saints/ http://www2.webmagic.com/saints.com
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Retreat Options
Teen Candidates are asked to attend a Retreat prior to receiving Confirmation. If your child cannot attend our retreat you must notify us immediately so that other arrangements can be made.
DCYC - January 30 - Fee: $75
The mission of the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) is to provide an opportunity for youth to encounter Christ through liturgy, sacraments, and engaging presentations that reflect the diverse needs of the youth of the Austin diocese.
In 2021, we are excited to celebrate 63 years of faith and vitality that our young people bring to the Diocese of Austin. We hope that you can join us Saturday, January 30 at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas for this exciting opportunity.Fruits of the Spirit - February 20, 2021
This event will be held from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. ( one-day due to COVID). Parents are asked to attend with their students. The event will be lead by STRONG (Students from the UT Catholic Center) for an invigorating, stimulating day of faith, fun, and fellowship! For more information and to register, please contact Johnnie De Leon at 512-588-8184. Registration opens on Jan. 4 th on their website.
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Contact Me
Hannah Head
Saint Patrick Youth Minister
hannah@stpatrickhutto.org
(512) 460-9689
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