Confirmation

Confirmation is the sacrament of Christian maturity that strengthens our ability to live our adult faith. With the Sacrament of Confirmation, you will become a full member of the Church – as much a member as your parents or anyone else in our parish or other Catholic churches. You are part of the worldwide Church not just because your parents are but also because you have made a commitment to the Church and God. In the eyes of the Church, you are an adult once you are confirmed. The journey does not stop with Confirmation; it is a life long journey.

Confirmation completes (and confirms) the grace received at Baptism. Confirmation gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit by which we are compelled to spread and defend our faith. To live our faith is not our own work, but rather we receive power from God to be a true witness for Christ.

At Confirmation, we are anointed and receive a permanent mark or seal that identifies us as belonging to Jesus Christ. The words, "Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit" tell us that Confirmation increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us and makes us more open to His actions.

Confirmation Date for 2009: April 19, 2009