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Adults seeking Confirmation should contact the parish office to discuss the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).
Youth Confirmation
Youth at Immaculate Heart of Mary can take part in Confirmation preparation starting in 10th grade.
Welcome to Confirmation!Immaculate Heart of Mary utilizes the confirmation program Decision Point, a wonderful 12-week program brought to us by Matthew Kelly and the Dynamic Catholic team. Our goal is to enrich or introduce the value youth can only receive through a relationship with God and His Church. Confirmation although often (falsely) thought of as a 'graduation', is actually the confirmandi's personal acceptance of God's command to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations." The preparation process of Confirmation is to educate the confirmandi of the graces and responsibilities received through the sacrament, and how they equip the individual to fulfill God's great commission in their life.
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Components of the Program
Sunday Morning SessionsAll Candidates will gather on Sunday mornings from 8:30 - 10:30 am for a program that presents the Catholic Faith & Tradition in an accessible and relevant context. These mornings will include large and small group discussions, projects and activities, and prayer. Click here for a Schedule & Calendar.
Sunday Morning Program Attendance: Due to the Importance of each session within the Confirmation preparation schedule, it is essential that youth attend all Sunday morning sessions. However, we understand that unavoidable conflicts may arise. If a Candidate must miss a Sunday morning session, he or she will be expected to make it up by completing an online component, as well as any activities and readings from that session.Mass
All candidates must attend Sunday Mass weekly, ideally with their family. The Eucharist is the real body and blood of our God and the graces (graces are the gifts of divine influence in peoples' lives) received by consuming the Eucharist are also REAL and cannot be received in any other way but by participation in the Mass. This is the utmost importance for the growth of the Catholic's spiritual life and therefore an absolute must in preparation for the reception of any sacrament.
Confirmation Sponsor
Confirmation sponsors can be thought of as spiritual older brothers or sisters who the candidate is willing to let guide them in their faith. Sponsorsl, of course, will not be perfect individuals but they should be someone the candidate trusts and someone from who the candidate is willing to receive wisdom and guidance. Sponsors need to be someone other than the candidate's parent who is 18 years of age or older and is practicing their Faith. Sponsors will take part in a few of the Sunday morning sessions along with the candidate, and will be encouraged to meet with their candidate outside of class to discuss matters of faith.
The Sponsor will fill out and sign the Sponsor Covenant and can return it via email to the Confirmation Coordinator
Date Sponsor Covenant is due: 11/24/19
Date of Sponsor Meeting: 1/12/20
Confirmation Saint
Candidates will select a Saint as a patron for the Confirmation process and beyond. They will reflect on that Saint’s story and state why they have chosen him or her in a short reflection to be turned in during the preparation process. The chosen Saint will be a powerful intercessor for the candidate for the rest of his or her life.
Some helpful places to learn about the different Saints are catholic.org/saints and catholic-saints.info.
You may print the guide to fill out and turn in at the parish, or type your responses and email your responses to the Confirmation Coordinator.
The Confirmation Saint Reflection is due:
Service ExperienceAcknowledging and developing our God-given talents is an on-going part of our individual faith journeys. Using these talents in the service of others is why we were created and what God calls us to do. During Confirmation preparation, we focus on gaining a deeper understanding of how we can help our Parish and Community.
Candidates will choose service opportunities within the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish community and opportunities in their greater communities.
Retreat
Candidates will take part in a confirmation retreat (included in program cost) that will take place at Immaculate Heart of Mary on Sunday, December 15, 2019. More information on the retreat will be given closer to the event. A retreat is a mandatory part of the diocesan preparation requirements and MUST be completed in order to receive the sacrament. If your teen cannot make our retreat, they will be responsible for finding a different approved confirmation retreat to attend at an additional expense.
Reception of the Sacrament
Candidates will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the presence of their parents/guardians and sponsor at the Basilica of Saint Mary on Tuesday, May 5th at 7 pm
Schedule & Calendar
Sessions meet on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted
11/3/2019 Parent Candidate Orientation
11/10/2019 Session 1
11/17/2019 Session 2
11/24/2019 Session 3 Sponsor Covenant Due
12/1/2019 No Confirmation: Thanksgiving weekend
12/8/2019 Session 4: Saint Reflection Due
12/15/2019 Retreat Day
12/22/2019 No Confirmation: Christmas Break and New Years
12/29/2019 No Confirmation: Christmas Break and New Years
1/5/2020 Session 5
1/12/2020 Candidate Sponsor Meeting
1/19/2020 No Confirmation: Martin Luther King Jr Day
1/26/2020 PCYI
2/2/2020 Session 6
2/9/2020 Session 7
2/16/2020 No Confirmation: Presidents Day
2/23/2020 Session 8
3/1/2020 Session 9
3/8/2020 Session 10
3/15/2020 No Confirmation: NDA School Musical
3/22/2020 No Confirmation: Spring Break
3/29/2020 Session 11
4/5/2020 Session 12
4/12/2020 No Confirmation: Easter
4/19/2020 Interviews
4/26/2020 Interviews
5/3/2020 Parent Sponsor Meeting *NOTE Time Change 9:30 a.m.
5/5/2020 Confirmation: Tuesday, 7:00 PM, Basilica