Confirmation
Preparation for Confirmation is a one-year process, open to any student in grade 10 and above who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist; is actively practicing his or her faith; and feels ready to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The goal of the Confirmation preparation process is to meet each student where they are and help them to take their next steps in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Confirmation for 2016-17 is now closed and will open again in June 2017. Questions about Confirmation? Please contact Charlie Bates, coordinator of student ministry.
For 2016-17, the steps of the process are:
1. Getting started (June through September, 2016):
2. Preparation (September 2016 through May 2017)
3. Completing preparation (May 2017)
Confirmation FAQs
Why an essay?
The purpose of the essays is to help the Confirmation Mentor get a better sense of where the candidate and parents are in their faith journey.
What are the requirements for the essays?
Student’s Essay (500 words)
The purpose of the student essay is to help the Confirmation Mentor get a better sense of
where the candidate is starting this part of the faith journey. Please be honest; there is no perfect answer.
What type of Christian man/woman do you envision becoming?
What steps do you need to take to grow closer to God?
Parent’s Essay (500 words)
The purpose of this essay is to help the Confirmation Mentor get a better sense of where your intentions for this sacrament meet those of your child’s. Please be honest; there is no perfect answer.
How have you shared with your teen the importance of this sacrament?
How do you plan to support your teen through this process?
What is the hope/vision you have for your child after they receive this sacrament?
Both essays should be sent to confirmation@newroadscatholic.org by September 25, 2016.
What are the requirements for a Confirmation Sponsor?
The Confirmation Sponsor must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic. It cannot be a parent, but can be a grandparent or godparent. This should be someone the candidate trusts in seeking out faith advice and direction. While the popular choice is a family member or family friend, we also
recommend small group leaders and ministry leaders.
What does a Confirmation Sponsor do during preparation?
A sponsor’s role is very limited during the preparation. We ask that they do two things:
What are the requirements for a confirmation name?
In order to manifest the close relationship of Confirmation to Baptism, the candidates, according to the longstanding custom of the Church, may retain their baptismal name. However, a special name may be chosen if desired, in which case it should be that of a recognized saint of the Church, or a person from scripture. Choosing to add a name may signify the candidate’s new and deeper awareness of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
For more information about the lives of the saints, you might want to check out:
http://www.catholic.org/saints/stindex.php http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/byname.asp http://lifeteen.com/blog/biggestbestlistconfirmationsaintsguysgirls/
What are small groups?
Once a month on Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 at St. Joseph, high school students worship together through music, a message that points them to Christ, activities that help them go deeper, and small groups that build lifelong relationships. These groups are free--there is no sign up, just show up. Our high school program is open to all teens in grades 9-12, not only those preparing for Confirmation. Our vision is that though small groups, teens receive the accountability and relationships they need to stay on the path God has designed for them.
For 2016-17, the dates for our high school program will be:
How can Confirmation Candidates serve in ministry?
We encourage teens at New Roads to share their gifts, abilities, heart, personality, and experiences through ministry. They might be young; however, the impact they can have on the church family is amazing. We especially encourage teens to serve in our Tiny Disciples and Kids’ Church programs. To find out more and to sign up to serve, contact Grace Murphy, children's ministry coordinator.
What is a Confirmation Mentor?
A Confirmation Mentor is meant to introduce, coach, and encourage the student in developing spiritual habits that will help them grow in their faith. We do this so that when they graduate from high school, they aren’t graduating from their faith. Confirmation Mentors aren’t teachers, and they aren’t paid; they are loving, caring adults who have a heart for helping teens grow in their faith. Each teen will meet with their Confirmation Mentor four times, one-on-one, from September up until the date of their Confirmation.
Please contact Charlie Bates with any questions.
For 2016-17, the steps of the process are:
1. Getting started (June through September, 2016):
- Register here by September 25, 2016.
- Both students and parents write an essay to enter the program (see below).
- Both students and parents attend the Confirmation Orientation on Sunday, September 25th, at 7pm, at St. Joseph.
- Choose a sponsor and Confirmation name (see below).
2. Preparation (September 2016 through May 2017)
- Participate in a small group or serve in ministry.
- Four one-on-one sessions with a Confirmation mentor, during which the mentor and student will review the student’s progress and discuss next steps.
3. Completing preparation (May 2017)
- Student and sponsor attend Confirmation rehearsal on Thursday, May 11, at 5:30pm at St. Joseph.
- Instead of an essay to the Bishop, there will be a survey and reflection at the Confirmation rehearsal on May 11.
- Saturday, May 13, 2017, 11:00am: Confirmation Mass
Confirmation FAQs
Why an essay?
The purpose of the essays is to help the Confirmation Mentor get a better sense of where the candidate and parents are in their faith journey.
What are the requirements for the essays?
Student’s Essay (500 words)
The purpose of the student essay is to help the Confirmation Mentor get a better sense of
where the candidate is starting this part of the faith journey. Please be honest; there is no perfect answer.
What type of Christian man/woman do you envision becoming?
What steps do you need to take to grow closer to God?
Parent’s Essay (500 words)
The purpose of this essay is to help the Confirmation Mentor get a better sense of where your intentions for this sacrament meet those of your child’s. Please be honest; there is no perfect answer.
How have you shared with your teen the importance of this sacrament?
How do you plan to support your teen through this process?
What is the hope/vision you have for your child after they receive this sacrament?
Both essays should be sent to confirmation@newroadscatholic.org by September 25, 2016.
What are the requirements for a Confirmation Sponsor?
The Confirmation Sponsor must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic. It cannot be a parent, but can be a grandparent or godparent. This should be someone the candidate trusts in seeking out faith advice and direction. While the popular choice is a family member or family friend, we also
recommend small group leaders and ministry leaders.
What does a Confirmation Sponsor do during preparation?
A sponsor’s role is very limited during the preparation. We ask that they do two things:
- Pray for the candidate
- Check in with the candidate on their preparation from time to time
What are the requirements for a confirmation name?
In order to manifest the close relationship of Confirmation to Baptism, the candidates, according to the longstanding custom of the Church, may retain their baptismal name. However, a special name may be chosen if desired, in which case it should be that of a recognized saint of the Church, or a person from scripture. Choosing to add a name may signify the candidate’s new and deeper awareness of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
For more information about the lives of the saints, you might want to check out:
http://www.catholic.org/saints/stindex.php http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/byname.asp http://lifeteen.com/blog/biggestbestlistconfirmationsaintsguysgirls/
What are small groups?
Once a month on Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 at St. Joseph, high school students worship together through music, a message that points them to Christ, activities that help them go deeper, and small groups that build lifelong relationships. These groups are free--there is no sign up, just show up. Our high school program is open to all teens in grades 9-12, not only those preparing for Confirmation. Our vision is that though small groups, teens receive the accountability and relationships they need to stay on the path God has designed for them.
For 2016-17, the dates for our high school program will be:
- Sunday, October 16
- Sunday, November 20
- Sunday, December 11
- Sunday, January 29
- Sunday, February 26
- Sunday, March 12
- Sunday, April 9
- Sunday, May 21
- Sunday, June 11
How can Confirmation Candidates serve in ministry?
We encourage teens at New Roads to share their gifts, abilities, heart, personality, and experiences through ministry. They might be young; however, the impact they can have on the church family is amazing. We especially encourage teens to serve in our Tiny Disciples and Kids’ Church programs. To find out more and to sign up to serve, contact Grace Murphy, children's ministry coordinator.
What is a Confirmation Mentor?
A Confirmation Mentor is meant to introduce, coach, and encourage the student in developing spiritual habits that will help them grow in their faith. We do this so that when they graduate from high school, they aren’t graduating from their faith. Confirmation Mentors aren’t teachers, and they aren’t paid; they are loving, caring adults who have a heart for helping teens grow in their faith. Each teen will meet with their Confirmation Mentor four times, one-on-one, from September up until the date of their Confirmation.
Please contact Charlie Bates with any questions.
Sign up for our e-mail list
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter