Confirmation
Welcome to Confirmation 2022-23. Confirmation sign up can be found under the Event Registration page through Resources.
At St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, our process of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is spread out over two years, usually beginning in the 9th grade with the students receiving the sacrament near the end of the 10th grade, although we are often confirming 11th and 12th graders too, so we refer to our students as First Year students and Second Year students rather than by grade level. Students who are preparing for Confirmation register in our High School Youth Ministry Program both their First Year AND their Second Year. Attending our Sunday Evening Gatherings and making at least one retreat is part of the Confirmation preparation process.
Our process being two years in length is not intended to be a burden on students. On the contrary, it is meant to spread out what we ask the students to do over a longer period of time, and thus go through the process at a more relaxed pace, balancing what we ask of them with all the other commitments in their lives. And of course forming one’s faith and applying it our daily lives is a lifelong process, but getting into the habit of doing that takes time. A two-year process allows the students time to develop the habit of working on their own faith on a regular basis AND time to build authentic relationships with other teens, so they are ready to say, “yes!” to the message and mission of Jesus beyond their Confirmation.
When: Every Sunday 6:45-8:30 pm. No meetings on Feb. 5, Feb, 12, April 9, and May 7.
Second Year Student Resources
PLEASE DOWNLOAD FILE TO FILL INFORMATION, DO NOT FILL IT OUT HERE
2022-2023 Guide to Why Were Catholic Book
2022-2023 Things Confirmation Candidates Need to Know
2022-2023 Gifts and Talents Reflection
2022-2023 Sponsor Selection Form
2022-2023 Name Selection Form
2022-2023 Letter to Bishop Parker
What is Confirmation?
Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace. It is the sacrament which gives the fullness of the Holy Spirit in order to:
- root us more deeply as children of God and incorporate us more firmly into Christ
- strengthen our bond with the Church and associate us more closely with its mission;
- help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.
A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the Church community and in the world.
How does a teen prepare to assume the role of disciple and witness?
Rather than narrowly focusing on preparing to be Confirmed, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton we offer a holistic apprenticeship in discipleship where along the way, if they so choose, teens receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our desire is to accompany young people and help them to:
- explore what being a Christian, a Catholic and a person of faith means;
- develop their own personally-held faith and own it;
- grow in response to the Gospel challenge to be a disciple of Jesus and a member of the Church;
- discover the unique way God is inviting them to work for peace and justice in the world.
One year of regular attendance at our High School Sunday Night Gatherings is a prerequisite to entering into Immediate Preparation for Confirmation, which is done as a family team consisting of parent(s), sponsor and the young person.
But my teen attends Catholic School...
Every year we are asked, “My teen attends Catholic School so won’t Seton's preparation process be redundant with what my child is already getting in their religion classes?”
Many teens who attend various Catholic schools have told us they receive “religious education” in school and “faith formation” in our program. One does not supersede the other; on the contrary, they communicate with one another. Teens tell us that our program really helps them to connect the information they learn in school with consciously choosing to live as a disciple of Jesus in the 21st Century.
Also, Catholic school students are used to seeing the parish as a place where they go to Mass on weekends, but they typically identify their school as their "spiritual home." Eventually they will graduate from school and when they do, many times they feel “spiritually homeless.” As Catholic adults their spiritual home will be their parish, and parish life is so much richer than just Mass on Sunday (although Mass on Sunday is critical). Let's start learning that and appreciating it now.
Finally, our culture has developed a powerful sense of individualism – that my life is all about ME. This is completely contrary to the Gospel message, the teachings of Christ. We need to intentionally work on developing a sense of US. Catholic school students have been given a great gift in having religion or theology on a weekly or even daily basis at school. We would encourage them to see what they have as a gift that needs to be shared with other teens - to ask themselves, "How can I share what I am learning at school with my peers?" What a great way to Evangelize!
Teens who wish to prepare for Confirmation register in our High School Ministry Program both their First Year AND their Second Year.
Attending our Sunday Evening Gatherings and making at least one retreat is part of the Confirmation preparation process.
Adults
The Archdiocese of Baltimore offers the sacrament of Confirmation for adults twice a year; once on the Feast of Pentecost, and once in October. If you missed Confirmation as a youth, and would like to prepare for reception of this sacrament; please contact Sarah Jarzembowski at sarah.jarzembowski@seaseton.org.