Confirmation
Confirmation Preparation Classes are in addition to attending weekly Sunday Mass Obligation and weekly formation sessions either Life Teen and/or High School Small Group Ministry and are NOT in placement of weekly Sunday Mass Obligation and/or formation sessions.
Confirmation Preparation Classes are meant to support students attending their weekly Mass Obligation and formation sessions where they establish and/or deepen their relationship with Christ. Preparation Classes are for the Confirmation Candidate and Sponsor to come together to review what the Sacrament is about, review of the whole Church, and a time to discuss together the journey towards receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
There are 4 Confirmation Preparation Classes that are held on the 2nd Sundays of Oct., Nov., Jan., and Feb. from 2:00 to 4:30 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas this year due to the renovation at St. Cecilia.
Preparation is a two-year program typically starting in 9th grade and continuing into 10th grade where they will usually receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Easter season of their Spring Semester.
Requirements
To enter preparation, a candidate will:
Sacrament Preparation
Can be done by taking quarterly classes
Confirmation Preparation Classes are meant to support students attending their weekly Mass Obligation and formation sessions where they establish and/or deepen their relationship with Christ. Preparation Classes are for the Confirmation Candidate and Sponsor to come together to review what the Sacrament is about, review of the whole Church, and a time to discuss together the journey towards receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
There are 4 Confirmation Preparation Classes that are held on the 2nd Sundays of Oct., Nov., Jan., and Feb. from 2:00 to 4:30 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas this year due to the renovation at St. Cecilia.
Preparation is a two-year program typically starting in 9th grade and continuing into 10th grade where they will usually receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Easter season of their Spring Semester.
Requirements
To enter preparation, a candidate will:
- Openness. Have an open heart & mind to the Holy Spirit to allow the Holy Spirit into your soul to be transformed.
Baptized. Confirmation candidates must be - Baptized. Providing Baptismal certificate, a picture copy is good enough.
- Companion on the Journey. Companion means sponsor. Sponsors must be:
A non-parent/guardian
At least 16 years old
Confirmed Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church. Code of Canon Law 874
Sponsors can be an older sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, cousin, friend, mentor. Someone you admire and look up to because of their faith. Sponsors (or a parent/older sibling serving as temporary substitute) attend 4 classes a year with their candidate. They do not have to be local to the Ames area. - Sacrament Preparation. Preparation is a two-year process usually starting in 9th grade for Year 1 and continuing into 10th grade for Year 2 but can also be done in any two constitutive years of high school. Preparation is where you learn about the sacrament, what happens, a very broad overview of our faith, etc. There are two ways to receive preparation:
Attend In-Person Preparation Classes held from 2:00-4:30 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas on October 13, November 10, January 12 & February 9.
Home Study (visit with Kayla for more information) - Receive Eucharist Regularly. Candidates & their families are also expected to attend weekly the Sunday Mass obligation. The Church calls every one of us to make a commitment to attend Sunday Mass. In doing so, we promise to do our part to keep up our relationship with Christ and with our Church family — the Body of Christ. We are at Mass in response to a commitment of love, not just to fulfill an obligation. Christ eagerly desires to meet us in the Mass and to be present with us at all times.
- Community. Candidates are also expected to attend weekly Faith Formation opportunities, either High School Small Group Ministry or Life Teen as part of their sacrament preparation.
- Final Semester of Preparation. In the Spring before they are Confirmed, Year 2, participate in the following:
Confirmation Year 2 Retreat
Sacrament of Confirmation Mass Rehearsal
Sacrament Preparation
Can be done by taking quarterly classes
- Quarterly classes are from 2:00-4:30 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas on October 13, November 10, January 12 & February 9. Reminders will be sent to parents and sponsors before class.
- These classes are to learn about the sacrament, what happens and a brief overview of our faith. They are to be combined with attending Sunday Mass and attending weekly faith formation opportunities (Life Teen and/or Small Groups). Weekly opportunities build and deepen personal relationship with Jesus Christ and reinforce what is happening at the preparation classes and what will happen & graces received from the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Home Study & Make-Up
The digital nature of our curriculum is fantastic and makes home study easy and comfortable. Due to copyrights, however, we cannot post public access to our curriculum (i.e. on this site.) You can make-up any classes from home by contacting the St. Cecilia Faith Formation Office. If you're interested in completing all 8 classes for sacramental preparation with your sponsor at home, contact Kayla Stinga
A community of peers and a personal mentor are essential for discipleship: the heart of all sacraments. For this reason, all students including home study candidates are required to participate in weekly faith formation, either Life Teen (Sundays) or HS Small Group (Wednesdays). Candidates who complete home study Confirmation for the entire year are also required to attend their Confirmation Retreat.
A community of peers and a personal mentor are essential for discipleship: the heart of all sacraments. For this reason, all students including home study candidates are required to participate in weekly faith formation, either Life Teen (Sundays) or HS Small Group (Wednesdays). Candidates who complete home study Confirmation for the entire year are also required to attend their Confirmation Retreat.
What is Confirmation?
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