Confirmation Overview at Sacred Heart

The High School Confirmation preparation is well-rounded and dynamic.  Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation follows the guidelines of the Diocese of Oakland. This program is a two year program with the first year focusing on community building and faith-sharing. The second year focuses on the sacramental preparation guidelines and service.We educate youth in Scripture, the importance of Mass and the Eucharist, prayer and the Sacraments, as well as promote engagement in the parish community and service to the less-fortunate.  Classes are set-up to engage students in spiritual experiences via small group discussions facilitated by adult and peer leaders. Priests, deacons and special guests to speak to the class about relevant and current faith topics. The students learn about their faith, their relationship with God and more importantly, themselves and how they impact the lives of others.  Our hope is to walk through this faith journey with the students to help transform their hearts, deepen their faith and change their life.

The parish's decision to invite young members in the ninth grade to the Sacrament of Confirmation is based primarily on two pastoral considerations: the readiness of the early adolescent, and also the availability and relationship of the parish community. While students may be academically ready before such a time, they may not fully understand the sacrament and lack the maturity to make such an important decision. Therefore it is the policy of Sacred Heart parish that students must be at least 13 years of age by the date of confirmation to be accepted into the preparation classes for the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Candidates requirements for Confirmation at Sacred Heart parish:

• A sincere desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation

• A spirit of cooperation and prayerful attitude toward receiving and living out one's Confirmation

• A sufficient knowledge of the basic beliefs of the Catholic faith​

Candidates for Confirmation are expected to:

• participate at Sunday Mass

• make prayer a daily habit

• demonstrate a concrete knowledge of the Catholic faith

• attend a retreat

• attend the parent/sponsor/candidate meeting

• choose a saint for your confirmation name

• perform a minimum of 15 hours service to family, parish and community​

Registration


Registration will take place in January prior to the start of the program. Forms for registration will be made available in November. In that registration we will require a copy of the candidates' Baptismal certificate. Confirmation is open to registered parishioners of Sacred Heart. We do make accommodations for those seeking the sacrament outside of our parish. 
Classes and Schedule


Confirmation at Sacred Heart parish is a two year program. The first half of the program begins in January of a school year and ends in May. From June to August we pause for summer break. The second half of the program begins in late August to then end of December. For those confirmation candidates having completed the first year, they will be confirmed the following year, while we invite those seeking the sacrament again in January of the next year. 

Students will meet on Sunday's in the Sacred Heart parish center followed by our 10:00am mass. Classes will begin anywhere between 11:30am and 12:00pm and conclude at 1:30pm. Times are subject to change if this day is set for a field trip/off site event. 


Retreat
A retreat takes place in the fall during the year of instruction. A confirmation retreat is a way to deepen individuals faith and bring closer the experience and joy of not only the sacrament of Confirmation, but to respond to life's calling.  More information will be made available at the time of registration and 3 months prior to the retreat time. 

Ceremonies
Confirmation candidates will be required to participate in important ceremonies throughout the duratin of their instruction. 

The first, the Rite of Enrollment, takes place on Pentecost Sunday of the first year or their instrution. The Rite of Enrollment is a two-fold experience; for the confirmandi to express their willingness and desires to enter into immediate preparation of instruction and to state publically before the community that they are taking this step in their sacramental lives very seriously. This is also an opportunity for the parish community to recognize their intentions or moving forward on their journey and to offer their support and prayers. 

Prior to the Rite of Enrollment candidates are asked to seriously and prayerfully think about what will be required of them during this time of preparation.

The second, the Rite of Commitment, reaffirms the candidates desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and offers the parents and sponsors an opportunity to show their support for the candidate. The candidate signs the Candidate Commitment form. The sponsors are present with the candidate to be of witness to their commitment at this special ceremony. This ceremony takes place after the retreat. 

The last, the Rite of Confirmation, is the culmination of the confirmandi journey. Traditionally this takes place on Pentecost Sunday, if not on Pentecost than a suitable date is selected. The Confirmation ceremony is in four parts: Presentation of the Candidates, Renewal of Baptismal Promises, the Laying on of Hands, and last the Anointing with Chrism. The bishop is the original minister of Confirmation. The bishop calls each individual by their baptsmal name and traces the Sign of the Cross with Chrism on their forehards. In certain circumtances he may delegate the parish priest or another priest i.e. Vicar General of a Diocese, as an extraordinary minister of the sacrament.