About the Sacrament of Confirmation
Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation.  Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that "the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time," for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete.

Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit—his actions, his gifts, and his biddings—in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community.

Confirmation at the Church of Saint Mary

Confirmation for Youth in their Junior Year of High School:
Those that wish to receive the Sacrament are prepared together through our Sacramental Preparation Program.  The Confirmandi (those intending to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation) are prepared throughout the school year through a retreat, small group discussions and large group sessions, participation with St. Mary's Parishioners and in St. Mary's Ministries, and Participation in Mass.  This year's Confirmation preparation will take place within the context of ROCKsolid Youth.

Download Confirmation Packet

Any questions about the preparation program should be directed to Candice Steichen or by calling the Office Annex: 749-2561.

 
Confirmation for Adults 17 and over / past their Junior Year of High School:
Contact Arleen Stegge, 749 2561

Children 17 and under that have not yet received Baptism, Reconciliation, or First Eucharist:
Contact Linda Schoonover, 749 2561

More about the Sacrament of Confirmation
Excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

On several occasions Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit, a promise which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and then more strikingly at Pentecost.  Filled with the Holy Spirit the apostles began to proclaim "the mighty works of God," and Peter declared this outpouring of the Spirit to be the sign of the messianic age.  Those who believed in the apostolic preaching and were baptized received the gift of the Holy Spirit in their turn.

From that time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. 

Very early, the better to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit, an anointing with perfumed oil (chrism) was added to the laying on of hands. This anointing highlights the name "Christian," which means "anointed" and derives from that of Christ himself whom God "anointed with the Holy Spirit.