In the Sacraments, Jesus Christ has given His Church special ways to receive His grace. All of the seven Sacraments not only symbolize something hidden, but they actually make something happen. Baptism gives us a new identity. Marriage unites us as husband and wife. The Eucharist brings forth Christ's Body and Blood. All the sacraments change us in some way.

But part of the Sacraments, also, is that we are given the grace - the strength and the tools - to make good on that change that the Sacrament made. So, the Sacrament of Marriage not only makes us married, but it helps us to live that vocation. Baptism not only gives us a new identity, but it equips us with the grace we need to live that new life. The Eucharist not only brings forth Jesus, it gives us the grace to be able to let Him into our lives.

But we can block that grace, in part or in full, through our own woundedness, or sinfulness, or pride, or whatever obstacles we put up to God's grace. God will not force His love on us, and if we cannot accept it, we cannot receive it.

So, when we receive Confirmation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. No matter how sinful we are, the Sacrament will change who we are in relation to God.

The question is: will we receive the grace to live that identity well?
 

Our job, then, is to try to prepare our hearts as best as we can to receive the grace that accompanies the Sacrament of Confirmation. We do this by trying to grow in our relationship with God, in our appreciation of His love for us, in our love for Him, and in our openness to Him.

To that end, the mission of Confirmation preparation at St. Cecilia, St. Anthony, and St. Margaret-St. John is:

To help our students receive the graces of Confirmation most fully, by teaching them the story of God's personal love for them, and by teaching them the part that this Sacrament plays in that story of love.
 

FIGHTING THE "EARNED" MENTALITY
The Archdiocesan document  Sacraments for Young People warns against the mentality that treats Confirmation as something that is earned after attending a certain number of classes or doing a certain number of service hours:

"Care must be taken that the educational component does not change the focus of the sacrament from being a sacrament of initiation to being something to be earned..." ~ Sacraments for Young People, 38.

This seems to be a common pitfall on both sides of the experience: it is easy for catechists to hold Confirmation as a ransom that might be denied if certain requirements are not met and certain programs not attended, and therefore students and parents are more likely to treat it the same way.

The Archdiocese, again in  Sacraments for Young People, notes that immediate preparation for Confirmation ought to entail 6-8 sessions, and that service hours are not required (though a spirit of Christian service ought to be encouraged). It notes that any addition to these standards carry with them the danger of making Confirmation seem like an "earned" Sacrament. Our pastoral region follows these recommendations, in an effort to fight the "earned" mentality.


With all of that in mind,  we have decided to make a few changes to our confirmation process here in the Eastside Pastoral Region. In the past, our students prepared for confirmation in the Sunday PREP (CCD) classes or in their religion class at St. Cecilia School. 

Starting fall 2018, confirmation classes will NOT take place in Sunday PREP classes or in St. Cecilia School. All students in the region who wish to receive the sacrament of confirmation will prepare by coming together for 6 Sunday evening sessions and 1 retreat.

The Sessions

Confirmation Retreat

Confirmation Mass

Step 1: Discernment

• Discuss confirmation with your Son or Daughter
• Choose a Confirmation Sponsor

• Fill out the digital registration form

• Six Sunday Sessions
• Choose a Confirmation Name
• Confession and Reconciliation
• Attend a Catholic School or Sunday PREP (Parish Religious Education Program)
• Weekly Sunday Mass
• Confirmation Retreat

• Confirmation Rehearsal and Mass