This document provides an overview of the expectations and requirements for candidates and parents participating in the Confirmation preparation program at St. Patrick's Catholic Faith Community. It outlines expectations for candidates including freely choosing to participate, attending classes weekly, participating in retreats and service opportunities. It also outlines parent expectations such as providing primary faith education, assisting with activities, and ensuring candidate requirements are completed. Typical classes are structured around prayer, lesson, and homework.

1. Sacrament of Confirmation
Candidate & Parent Orientation

2. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Overview
• Father Tom Welcome
• Christine Johnson, RE Coord Welcome
• Catechist Introductions
• Candidate Expectations
• Parent Expectations
• Typical Class
• Website Review
• Questions and Answers

3. Fr Tom Welcome

4. Christine Johnson,
RE Coordinator Welcome

5. Candidate Expectations

6. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Free-will Decision
• No candidate should be coerced into the formation
process, as this not only defeats the purpose of the
program
• Creates an atmosphere that could negatively affect
others
• Candidates who wish to receive the
sacrament of Confirmation accepts
what it means to be confirmed and will
participate fully in the process as well
as take seriously what it means to be a
member of the Church

7. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Free-will Decision
• Candidates, together with their families, are asked to
fully discuss …
• what it means to be confirmed and
• program expectations and requirements
• Candidates unsure of the decision may enroll in the
next preparation program

8. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Attend Classes
• Confirmation classes are intended to complement the faith
formation that takes place both within the candidates’
families and at the Mass
• Confirmation classes take place in the Chapel Conference
Room, weekly, prior to Mass, 09:00 am to 10:15 am, from
September through the Confirmation Mass
• If 10 minutes or more late the candidate will not be allowed
admittance to the class and will count as an absence
• Candidates coming in late are disruptive to the class

9. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Attend Classes
• In "The Classroom" web page you'll find all classroom
work and homework for the next week
• If you have any questions contact your classroom
instructors
• Candidates will bring to class, every Sunday, the
following materials: (1) Faith First manual, (2)
Catechism of the Catholic Church, (3) a Bible, and a (4)
Three-ring binder to retain handouts and other class
materials
• Candidates with four or more unexcused absences will
be
dis-enrolled from the program unless there is a serious

10. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Sunday and Holy Day
Mass Attendance
• The Mass and the Eucharist are the center of our
Catholic faith
• The obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses is
expected of all candidates
• If away from the parish, it is expected they will seek out
another Catholic church in which to attend Mass
• The Eucharist is central to the Catholic life
• Central means by which we nourish our faith and worship
God
• It is through hearing the Scriptures read and discussed
that we learn more about our faith and about God

11. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Sunday and Holy Day
Mass Attendance
• Candidates should make every effort to participate in
the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and
the Easter Vigil)
• This is the holiest time of the year for our Church
• The services on these days are rich
in the traditions of our faith
• We will discuss with the candidates
how they can fully participate in
the Triduum during class

12. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Baptismal Certificate
• Baptism is necessary before one can receive any
other sacrament
• All church records are kept at the church of Baptism
• If you do not have a copy of your child's Baptismal
Certificate, you must write or call the church it took
place in and request a copy
• Candidates must submit a copy
of their Baptismal Certificate
when possible (not Baptismal record)

13. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Baptismal Certificate
• Please make sure the certificate includes the address of
the Church the Sacrament took place in
• This will enable use to update your child's Sacramental
record in our Church

14. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Baptismal Certificate
• If your child was baptized in a military Chapel and you do
not have a copy of the certificate
• You can request the certificate by internet (preferred
method)
• www.milarch.org/sacramental/index.html
• You can also write or call
Archdiocese for the Military Service, USA
PO Box 4469
Washington DC 20017-0469
Phone: (202) 719-3605
Fax: (202) 269-1002

15. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Choose a Sponsor
• You'll be required to have a sponsor—someone who
will guide you and share the story of faith with you
• A good sponsor will make this process a little easier
and even more fun
• Requirements for the Sponsor
• The individual must be Catholic who is practicing his or
her faith
• 16 years of age or older who has received the
sacrament of Confirmation and the Eucharist

16. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Choose a Sponsor
• Candidates may wish to choose one of their baptismal
godparents to be their Confirmation sponsor,
emphasizing the important relationship between the two
sacraments
• Parents should not be sponsors of their children
• It is the sponsor’s role to support the candidate and his/her
parents
• The Church discourages candidates from choosing one of
their parents to be their sponsor

17. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Choose a Sponsor
• A sponsor may be a relative,
friend or someone from our
parish
• Your sponsor should be
prepared to assist the person
being confirmed in their
preparation, during the
ceremony, and afterward in
the life-long journey toward
Christ

18. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
How to Choose a Sponsor
• Look for someone you trust, whose faith you admire
and who will be there for you
• Look for someone who knows you well and is willing
to serve as a Christian guide and role model for you
• Choose your sponsor carefully and with thought
• If you continue to have difficulty then pray about it

19. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
How to Choose a Sponsor
• You may want to invite your sponsor to visit the
Sponsor Info page on the parish’s website
• Sponsors are invited and encouraged to join the
candidates for the Confirmation rehearsal session
• If a candidate’s sponsor is unable to be present at the
Confirmation Mass, a proxy may stand in for him/her

20. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Write a Letter to Your Sponsor
• Candidates will be required to write a letter to their
sponsor detailing why they chose him or her and what
will be expected of them as a sponsor during the
upcoming year of preparation

21. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Confirmation Interview
• Father Tom will meet with each of the candidates throughout
the year
• Prior to Confirmation he will interview each of the candidates
to assess their preparation and readiness for the sacrament.
Candidates should be prepared to answer the following
questions:
• Why do you want to be confirmed?
• Why did you choose your sponsor?
• What saint did you choose for your Confirmation name? Why?
• What is the most important part of Mass?
• Father may also assess your general knowledge of our faith
(e.g., sacraments, commandments, beatitudes, prayer and
devotion, etc.)

22. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Sacrament of Reconciliation
• All students are required to receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation during Lent
• It is desired that all candidates
and their sponsors be in a state
of grace at the time of Confirmation

23. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Choose a Confirmation Name
• A Confirmation name is consistent with the Church's
tradition of assigning new names to the faithful when
they accept a new ministry (i.e. religious, St. Peter, St.
Paul)
• Choosing a Confirmation name gives the candidates
the opportunity to reflect on the life of a saint they
wish to emulate

24. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Choose a Confirmation Name
• Confirmandi are asked to check into reasons for their
baptismal name if they are not already aware of the
reason
• One may keep the baptismal name to emphasize the
fact that Confirmation is a sealing of the Baptismal
Commitment
• Candidates may choose a new name as a sign of
growth in faith

25. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Write a Saint Research Report
• A saint research report will be required of each
candidate
• In the report candidates will explain their choice and
report information about the saint that they have chosen
• Each saint is known for particular qualities or virtues.
Candidates will explain how, by imitating this saint, he
or she can become a better Christian

26. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Eucharistic Adoration
• The Eucharist is the center of our Catholic Faith. We
have the opportunity here at the Moody Chapel to sit
quietly with Jesus, exposed in the Blessed Sacrament
• This is a time of quiet prayer, reflection and adoration
• To help candidates with their prayers and reflection, you
can bring the bible, a prayer book, or a book of readings
or reflections of a Saint or other holy person
• Some people find it helpful to reflect on the hymns; after
all hymns are prayers

27. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Eucharistic Adoration
• Each candidate will be required to participate in Eucharistic
Adoration at least three times during the year while he/she
is preparing for Confirmation
• Candidates should plan on spending at least a half hour at
Adoration
• Each family is strongly encouraged to participate in
Adoration with the Confirmandi as a family

28. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Prayer
• Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life – and
therefore a vital part of preparation to receive the
sacrament of Confirmation
• Candidates will have numerous opportunities to
discuss and explore prayer, with a particular
emphasis on discussing and exploring the role prayer
plays and can play in their daily lives
• Each session begins and ends with a
prayer experience
• Candidates may be asked to lead the
opening and concluding prayer

29. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Community Service
• The Church teaches us that it is the responsibility of
the baptized to live the Gospel in the world
• Christians actively preach and spread the Gospel when they
participate in both civic and parish-based activities in a manner
consistent with Jesus’ example and teachings
• Candidates will be expected to complete 20 hours of
community service before the final retreat
• If you and your family are involved in, or plan to take part in, a
service project which will help to fill a need in the lives of others
– food, clothing, shelter, educational assistance

30. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Retreats
• There will be two or three retreats
• Retreats are mandatory for all candidates (sports &
recreational activities are not an excused absence from the
retreat)
• First Retreat: Held on a Saturday (6 hours)
for the candidates
• Explore other religions
• Compare and contrast with Catholicism
• Second Retreat: Tentative day trip to the
Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Savannah, GA
• Third Retreat: Overnight retreat held close to the
Confirmation ceremony (TBD)

31. Parent Expectations

32. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Parent Participation
• As parents, you are the first and primary educators of
your children in their faith
• Talk to your child about what they are learning and help
them see how these things can be part of their lives
• Your affirmation, reiteration, and daily practice of the
faith are so very necessary to prepare your child for this
sacrament
• Parents will attend some sessions with your child so
that you may participate in their ongoing faith
formation

33. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Parent Participation
• Set the example for your child as he or she takes on
the responsibility of a Confirmed Catholic
• The example of the parents’ prayer life and attitude
toward Jesus Christ and His Church is the best teaching
sons and daughters will ever have
• It is the candidate’s responsibility to complete all
requirements, it is the parents’ responsibility to
assist by making sure all assignments are done on
time and that his or her child is at each scheduled
activity

34. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Parent’s Role
• In private, let us know of any special needs of the
child (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, etc.)
• Provide primary education of candidate in matters of
faith
• Assist with retreats, service work, rehearsal and
Liturgy of Confirmation as requested
• Be actively involved in the sacramental preparation of
the candidate
• Attend meetings and the celebration of the sacrament

35. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Don’t Coerce Your Child
• Do not coerce your child into the formation process,
as this not only defeats the purpose of the program
but also creates an atmosphere that could negatively
affect others

36. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
How will I know if my child is ready?
• Through acts of conversion or growth in faith
• Any one of the following can be a sign:
• Referring actions to Christ (seeing connections between
scripture stories and their life)
• Praying on their own and thinking of seeking God in prayer
• Charity for others (especially for those who are not their
friends)
• Selfless acts
• Questions about God
• Spontaneous joy at learning about God
• The desire to know more

37. Typical Class

38. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Class Schedule
• Opening prayer
• Briefly review previous week’s session
• Review of Sunday’s readings
• How the week’s message applies to candidate
• Week’s lesson
• Occasional test or quiz
• Closing prayer
• Assign Homework for the next session (e.g., next
week’s readings)

39. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Catechesis Based on the
“Four Pillars” of the Church
• The Creed
• The Creed, as the Catholic profession of faith,
summarizes the gifts that God gives as Creator,
Redeemer and Sanctifier. In explaining the articles of
the Creed a catechist explores our common baptismal
faith in the one God, the Father Almighty; in his Son
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and in the Holy
Spirit, the Sanctifier of the Church
• Seven Sacraments
• God’s plan of salvation is continually made present in
the sacramental celebrations of the Church

40. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Catechesis Based on the
“Four Pillars” of the Church
• Christian Moral Life
• The Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments guide the
Christian disciple in a life of virtue and Christian morality
• Christian Prayer
• Prayer is important in the life of a disciple of Christ. The
seven petitions of the Lord’s Prayer are a means to
understanding to different modes of Christian prayer
and spirituality

41. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Class Schedule
• Review Knowledge Base
• Faith First (RE program) is a building block program
• AF families are transient
• Different candidates with different needs
• Will provide a review of the basics for the first few weeks
• Sacraments, 10 Commandments, Beatitudes, prayer and
devotion (Act of Contrition, Nicene Creed, traditional
prayers), laws of the church, rosary, etc.
• "Knowing Your Faith“ - short and concise Catechism of
Catholic teachings, practices, and worship; question and
answer format is easy to understand; excellent tool for parents
and teens to learn more about their faith

42. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Class Schedule
• Faith First Education Program
• Awarded the 2007 First Place Award for Best
Educational Books by the Catholic Press Association
• Designed around the four pillars of the Catechism of the
Catholic Church:
• Nicene Creed
• The Sacraments
• The Commandments
• Prayer

43. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Class Schedule
• Faith First is designed to prepare young people for a
lifetime of discipleship. The program is designed as
follows:
• Gathering as Church
• Proclaiming the Word
• Renewing Baptismal Promises
• Laying on of Hands
• Anointing with Oil
• Offering the Gift of Peace
• Sharing Eucharist
• Sending Forth on Mission

44. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Class Schedule
• We will supplement the Faith First program will some
additional materials such as …
• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit as received during
Confirmation
• Lent and Advent activities and information
• Learn about saints and contributions to the church
• Tour of the church
• Retreats: Other religions and how the compare and
contrast to Catholicism, current events, “hot” topics, etc.

45. Website Review
www.MoodyCatholic.com
www.MoodyCatholic.com

46. St
Patrick’s
Catholic
Faith
Community
Summary
• Father Tom Welcome
• Christine Johnson, RE Coord Welcome
• Catechist Introductions
• Candidate Expectations
• Parent Expectations
• Typical Class
• Website Review
• Questions and Answers