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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 January 5th, 2025.

 

What is Confirmation?

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, young people affirm the faith commitment their parents made for them at Baptism.

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,
  • Sssociate us more closely with the mission of the Church, and
  • Strengthen us to bear witness to the Christian faith.

 

What is required to be Confirmed?

Your child must:

  • Be baptized in the Catholic Church, or another Christian denomination recognized by the Catholic Church. Basically, they must have been baptized with water and “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. If your child has not received one or both of these sacraments, contact the Parish Office.

 

Registering for Confirmation

  • Complete the Registration form and attach a copy of the child’s baptismal certificate and email all information to stjohnstosacraments@archtoronto.org by January 5th, 2025.
  • Preparation: The program will run Sunday mornings from 10AM to 11AM with our Confirmation Coordinator, Sheila Stuart. This schedule runs for 6 sessions of classes.
  • The class dates are:
    • Mar. 23, Mar. 30, Apr. 6, Apr. 13, Apr. 27, May 4
  • The rehearsal for Confirmation:
    • May 27th

Students will be using the Catechetical Program, “Anointed for Mission” and will incorporate videos from Formed.org.

If you wish, you can prepare your child for the sacrament at home using the resource links provided in the parent letter.

 

Date of Confirmation

The celebration of the Sacrament will be on SATURDAY, MAY 31st, 2025 @ 10AM 

Please include your donation of $75.00 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.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why must I take part in a parish-based programme 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.

 

What is a sponsor?

If possible the person to be confirmed is to have one 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 chosen be a godparent who undertook the role at Baptism.

 

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.

 

Who May Be Confirmed?

Confirmation candidates:

  • are between the ages of 12-15, individuals over the age of 15, should be encouraged to enroll in RCIA
  • have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist are practicing their faith
  • are in the state of grace (Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly)
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of a member of the Catholic Church
  • are aware of the initiation aspect of the Sacrament of Confirmation and be committed to continuing the faithful practice and study of their religion have a sincere desire to receive the sacrament as well as an appreciation of sacramental life.
  • register with their home parish for the Sacrament of Confirmation

 

I was baptised 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 programme 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 programme.

 

What happens if I miss one of my sessions or activities?

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

 

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.

 

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.​

 

What is the responsibility of the parents for the preparation of their child for the Sacrament of Confirmation?

Parents play a primary and integral role in the preparation of their child for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Parents responsibilities include:

  • initiating their children into the sacramental life
  • serving as models for their child by being committed Christians
  • worshipping with their families regularly
  • nurturing their child in faith
  • encouraging their child to reflect on and thoughtfully consider the decision to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
  • attending meetings, programs, and prayer services that are planned to help their child prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation
  • participating in parent catechesis sessions at the parish
  • assisting their child with the immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation through prayer, study, and Christian service
  • emphasizing the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation by taking an active part in the celebration of Confirmation
  • stressing the initiation aspect of the Sacrament by encouraging their children to continue learning more their faith
  • understanding that the Confirmation service project is the beginning of a life committed to Christian service

Please note that parents are not permitted to be Confirmation sponsors for their own child.