High school teens (candidates) prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation by participating in a two-year process called Youth Minsitry.  

The Confirmation process is a team effort.

Candidates, parents, sponsors, and the catechetical (teaching) team all work together towards a common goal: to prepare the candidates for reception of the sacrament and to inspire in each candidate the desire to continue their own personal faith journey throughout their lives. The process encourages their own personal faith journey throughout their lives. It also encourages the formation of community and develops a sense of belonging. This is accomplished by class sessions to explore Catholic beliefs and traditions, individual and group faith sharing, retreats, Christian services and other related outside activities.

The candidates must freely choose to enter the process and make known their desire to be confirmed.

They must demonstrate adequate knowledge of the Catholic faith and be willing to participate in the required learning sessions, growing in the practice of their faith.

They should always strive to be in the state of grace and should attend mass regularly and frequently receive the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation.

The candidate must attend all class sessions throughout the teaching year (September through May).

Excessive absences will result in the candidates being asked to leave the process or repeat the year. In addition,

attendance at all confirmation retreats is mandatory.

The sponsor is the Candidates choice. We recommend you carefully consider:

• Your baptismal Godparent(s)
• An adult who is a close friend or relative
• Someone who is in the parish or lives nearby
• Parents may not be sponsors for their own children

There are persons in the parish community who would be eager to be a sponsor for confirmation. If you are unable to find a sponsor to journey with you, the parish may be able to provide you with a person who has expressed a sincere desire to be a confirmation sponsor.  

The selection of a sponsor is an important decision you have to make.

Choosing that right person can make a big difference in your confirmation journey.

Each candidate needs to select a sponsor to walk the two-year journey of the confirmation

process with him or her. It is hoped that this sponsor-candidate relationship will evolve into a lifelong one. The choice of sponsor, therefore, becomes a very important decision. Sponsors make a difference and are an integral part of the faith journeys of their respective candidates both during and after confirmation. The purpose of the sponsor-candidate relationship is to lead the candidate into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is essential that the person selected to be a sponsor meets the following criteria.   

• The sponsor must be a person of faith and a confirmed Catholic
• A person of mature faith, at least 25 years old
• Active and able to fully participate in the Catholic faith

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SPONSOR  

• Attend all adult education/sponsor sessions as scheduled during the teaching year
• Participate with the candidate in the one-day retreat
• Meet regularly with the candidate in addition for formally scheduled sessions to develop a close relationship which encourages spiritual growth, emphasizes the moral life of a Christian, and assists in the completion of the completion of the Christian service hours requirement.

Parents are the primary educators of their children. They serve as models for their children by being committed Christians. Parents should worship regularly with their families. They are asked to take an active interest in assisting their son or daughter with the immediate preparation for the sacrament of confirmation and must attend meetings, programs and prayer services that are planned in support of the candidate.

However, Canon Law prohibits parents from acting as Sponsors for their own children.  They are also welcomed and encouraged to attend any or all adult education session along with the confirmation sponsors and are invited to observe any classroom session with advance notification to the catechist.