Confirmation is an important milestone along the journey in one’s Catholic faith life.

For teens, it
represents an opportunity to look at our Catholic faith in a more adult way - exploring, discerning and
deciding to make a willful and intentional commitment to learn and live the Catholic faith, beliefs, morals,
and practices. For parents, Confirmation represents an important accomplishment in the parenting of a
Catholic son or daughter, and an opportunity to talk about our faith with them in a more concrete way.

Confirmation completes Baptism. It is as if the Bishop seals and approves the Baptism celebrated earlier
in life. It represents a personal commitment to grow in the knowledge, love, and practice of our faith.

When you are confirmed, you gain a new identity as a full member of the Church. You make the decision
to celebrate this sacrament, and then you carry out your decision as you learn, live and love your faith.

Every Catholic who is prepared to celebrate a sacrament may do so. This preparation is not a way of
“earning” the sacrament; rather, the sacrament is God’s gift to us. Our preparation is the way we show
gratitude for God’s goodness, by striving to appreciate as best we can the gift we are given.

To ensure that you are well prepared, you will be asked and expected to engage in several formational
experiences, all listed in this guide. The parish Faith Formation program, youth ministry activities, and
adult faith formation will help you to have the information and tools you need. Some experiences are yours
to undertake on your own, with the support of your parents, your sponsor, your peers and your fellow
parishioners.

Confirmation will take place in the fall after year two of preparation. You have plenty of time to accomplish
the preparation steps. Be assured of the love, support, and prayers of the entire parish community as you
undertake this important process. If you need help or advice, just ask!

God Bless,
Alisha Giles
Director of Faith Formation
[email protected], 269-857-7951 x 2
 PERSONAL PREPARATION PARTICIPATION
 Choose a sponsor - someone who is already con-
 Formation Classes, third Sunday of the
firmed, and at least 16 years of age, and who can help
you to grow in your Catholic faith. Your sponsor must month (exept Apr. is 2nd Sun), from 9:15a
be a practicing Catholic and cannot be your parent. to 1:15p
 Get enrolled as a Confirmation Candidate and present  Complete and turn in all monthly homework
Father Fabio your Journey to Confirmation paper
assignments.
during Mass in your second year of preparation.
 In order to better understand the Communion of Saints  Attend all Confirmandi, parent and sponsor
and build relationships with those close to God, you classes, meetings and retreats.
must research as least three different saint. One of
those saints will be your “Confirmation Name.” You will  Attend at least one retreat experience each
give presentations for each saint researched. year of preparation. You will be notified
 Write a letter to Bishop Bradley during your second when opportunities are available.
year of preparation requesting confirmation and what it
means to you.  Respectful behavior and attitudes are
 All Confirmandi, along with their parents must have an expected. Disciplinary action will be taken if
“interview” with the priest or DRE at the beginning and you interfere with the learning and formation
at the end of the preparation process. of your classmates.
 You should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at
least once a year and right before you receive the
Sacrament of Confirmation.
WORSHIP & PRAYER LIFE
 Weekly participation at Mass (formation class
does not replace Mass, even though both are
on Sunday) and Holy Days of Obligation.
 PRAY - Know the common Catholic prayers.
Please pray regularly.
 Read the Bible regularly.
 Know the seven Sacraments, the Holy Days of
Obligation, and the days of fasting and
abstinence. What do they mean?
 Be familiar with the Ten Commandments and
the Great Commandment of Jesus and be
able to talk about what these mean in your life.
KNOWLEDGE OF THE SACRAMENT
You should be able to respond in an age-appropriate way
to these questions.
SERVICE
 What does it mean to be Confirmed and why do you
want to be a part of this process? During your preparation you must show a desire to
perform works of mercy and loving Christ-like
 What is your role as a member of the Body of Christ? service. This includes acts of kindness, rooted in
faith, in everyday life. Use the Corporal and
 How will you be a part of the parish community as one Spiritual Works of Mercy as a guide.
of its members following Confirmation? Each year perform at least,
 What are the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit and how  5 hours of service at my church
do you incorporate them into your daily life?  5 hours of service in my community
 5 hours of service in my family
Formation classes will help the Confirmandi, parents and
sponsors to develop appropriate responses to the above Upon completion of a service, please fill out the
Service Project Form, and return to the Faith
questions. Formation Office. We will be organizing some
opportunities to do service at a group.