Confirmation
-
-
“When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for the Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” —Acts 8:14-17
The Sacrament of Confirmation:- Awakens a sense of belonging to the faith community, the Church.
- Deepens one’s relationship with God.
- Strengthens disciples to live out their faith.
- The anointing with Chrism imprints on the soul an indelible mark, the “character,” which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of His Holy Spirit, so that he/she may be His witness and share His Good News to others.
-
-
-
Confirmation Preparation at St. Rita
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year process for high school teens, starting in the Fall of their freshman year. During this discernment and apprenticeship period, Confirmation candidates are considered as disciples-in-training. Besides full participation in Youth Ministry activities and events, Confirmation candidates have various opportunities to personally encounter Jesus Christ and deepen their relationship with Him and His Church. This multi-faceted approach includes monthly faith sharing sessions, weekly Masses with their families, three special sessions/rituals with their sponsors, and an annual retreat. Moreover, our disciples-in-training are integrated in the larger parish community by participating in various ministries and parish-wide events. By the time they are confirmed, our engaged youth are prepared to live as young disciples of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church.
-
-
-
Monthly Confirmation Sessions
Starting in September, we will have monthly Confirmation sessions on Sundays. Each session begins with the 10:00 a.m. Mass and will continue with the Faith-Sharing Session until 12:30 p.m. This component to Confirmation is the main source of preparation for the Sacrament. Since it is only once a month, all 9 sessions (each year) are necessary to attend. Make-up sessions are available if needed.Sessions & Rituals for Candidates and Sponsors
During the two-year period, candidates will celebrate three special rituals with their sponsors and the entire faith community at Mass:- “Ritual of Promise” welcomes and blesses Year 1 candidates and their sponsors as they embark on the faith journey together.
- “Commitment to the Journey Ritual” marks the half-way point at the beginning of Year 2. The candidates commit to continue their journey of preparation. The sponsors, once again, pledge their support, and the faith community prays over the candidates.
- “Ritual of Affirming Confirmation Candidates” takes place after the Year 2 weekend retreat and celebrates the beginning of immediate preparation for the Rite of Confirmation.
Annual Retreats
Candidates attend mandatory annual retreats. Year 1 usually has a one-day retreat, while Year 2 experiences a weekend retreat off site.
Parish Participation
Confirmation candidates will have many opportunities to be fully integrated in the larger St. Rita faith community in various ministries and/or parish-wide events. Some opportunities include helping at the annual St. Rita Feast Day event or Men’s Club Spaghetti Dinner, or even being an aide in the faith formation of children. Multiple opportunities are available and are promoted in monthly newsletters.
Corporal Works of Mercy
Candidates will get to experience sharing the love of Jesus to others in need through acts of service and works of mercy. St. Rita Youth Ministry and Confirmation is committed to serving at St. Francis Food Pantry in Downtown LA once a month and we also “adopt” families for Christmas. But these are just two ways of serving. There are many more experiences that come up during the year.If you have any questions regarding High School Confirmation Preparation, please contact Jeremiah Shoop at [email protected].
-
-
-
Registration and Resources for 2024-2025
There are three steps to register for Confirmation Preparation:
1. Download the Overview and Registration Checklist for your year, which contains all program information including dates, times, and costs. You will also find the Combined Calendar to be helpful. Click on the links below to download these documents.
- Year 1 Overview and Registration Checklist
- Year 2 Overview and Registration Checklist
- Confirmation Combined Calendar (Year 1 & Year 2)
2. Register online by filling out this form and submitting your payment.*
*Please know that St. Rita Catholic Parish is here to serve all families and we don’t want finances to inhibit anyone from receiving faith formation or the Sacraments. If your family is in need of special financial consideration at this time, please email Jeremiah Shoop, our Faith Formation Coordinator, to discuss available options.
-
-
-
Contact:
-
Jeremiah Shoopffcoordinatorst-rita.orgFaith Formation Coordinator
-
-
