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CONFIRMATION

“A blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.” Deuteronomy 23:5

"When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:22

Confirmation Registration is now open until the deadline of November 30, 2024

SACRAMENT CHECKLIST: CONFIRMATION

Next Steps to the registration process of Confirmation

  1. Book Confirmation Date and Time Via Eventbrite by November 30, 2024.
  2. Complete the Registration form and attach a copy of the child’s baptismal certificate AND specify the date of celebration as booked with Eventbrite and email all information to sacraments.hmoj@gmail.com by November 30, 2024.
  3. Preparation: Book your Confirmation Preparation either Mondays or Thursdays (series of dates) via Eventbrite. Sessions will be taking place at the Church.
  4. If you wish, you can prepare your child for the sacrament at home using the resource links provided in the parent letter.
  5. Book Retreat Date Via Eventbrite.
  6. Mark your calendar for the Confirmation Information Session for parents.
  7. Please include your donation of $50.00 in an envelope marked with the parents first and last names, address, and the name of the sacrament being received and bring to any Sunday Mass.

We encourage you to please do your best to attend Sunday Mass every week with your children. This is a great way to help your child prepare and live out their Christian faith 

Confirmation is an essential part of Christian Initiation.

In Confirmation the bishop seals us, the baptized, with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

This sacrament is intended to:

  • root us more deeply as sons and daughters of God,
  • incorporate us more firmly into Christ,
  • strengthen our bond with the Church,
  • associate us more closely with the mission of the Church, and
  • strengthen us to bear witness to the Christian faith.

 

Frequently Asked Questions


1. Why must I take part in a parish-based program when I am attending a Catholic School?

The Catholic schools assist the parents and the parish with what is called "initial preparation" for the sacraments. Initial preparation deals primarily with content: What do we believe as Catholics?

"Immediate preparation," which takes place shortly before a sacrament is celebrated, is the responsibility of the parents and the parish. Immediate preparation leads the candidates to look at their relationship with God and with the Church.


2. What is a sponsor?

If possible the person to be confirmed is to have a sponsor. The sponsor is a model of faith for the candidate and must be a fully initiated, practising Catholic in good standing under church laws and normally at least 16 years of age. It is desirable that the sponsor selected be a godparent who undertook the role at Baptism.


3. Why must I submit a Baptism certificate?

Only someone who is baptized Roman Catholic or who has been received into the Roman Catholic Church may celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. The parish is responsible for verifying this by collecting Baptism Certificates or Certificates of Reception from those presenting themselves as candidates.


4. I was baptized in an Eastern Rite Church, so I was confirmed at the same time. Can I be confirmed again?

Confirmation may be celebrated only once. However, the Ukrainian Eparchial Bishop expects Grade 7 students who are already confirmed to take part in the preparation program at school and in the parish to deepen their understanding of their faith. During the Confirmation Mass, they will be called forward to receive a blessing. Any Grade 7 student who is already confirmed is encouraged to participate in the program.


5. What happens if I miss one of my sessions?

Enrolling in the Confirmation program means commitment to taking part in all aspects of the preparation: Rite of Enrolment, all sessions, retreat. If you are sick or have some other serious conflict, contact the coordinator of the program to arrange to make up the session. Candidates who fail to participate without a valid reason may be required to withdraw from the program and delay Confirmation till another time.


6. What do I do if I decide (during or after the preparation) not to be confirmed?

If you decide that this is not the time for you to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, you are asked to contact the coordinator. We will respect your decision, and encourage you to consider being confirmed when the time is right for you.


7. Why does the parish need the address of the church where I was baptized?

After you have been confirmed, we record the details in our parish Confirmation register. We are also required to send a notice to the parish in which you were baptized (no matter where in the world that parish is located) and they, too, enter your Confirmation in their records. We can only do this when you provide a complete mailing address for the church.​

 

Resources

To learn more about Confirmation, these resources may help: