Confirmation
Confirmation is one of the ensemble of the Sacraments of Initiation in to the Church, together with Baptism and Eucharist. Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which seal or "confirm" the baptized in union with Christ and equip them for active participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1285)
Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation begins in 9th grade with the sacrament being celebrated at the end of the 10th grade year. Parents and teachers, work together as catechist. Confirmation students are invited to a deeper commitment as bearers of the Good News. For this, Christ fills them with the power of His Spirit. Confirmation preparation is supplemental to the parish Faith Formation program: Generations of Faith or Loyola High School. For more information, contact the parish office at 507-625-3131.
Confirmation Program
At St. John's we have a 2 year Confirmation Preparation Program, that supplements our Generations of Faith curriculum. In the Diocese of Winona, Confirmation is celebrated in adolescence; at St. John's we confirm in the spring of the 10th grade year. We follow the Bishops guidelines, and offer a program that places Confirmation within the framework of a total youth ministry program. These guidelines reflect the norms of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the General Directory for Catechesis, and Renewing the Vision: A framework for Catholic Youth Ministry. Our goal as a parish is to help our candidates accept the gift of faith, become comfortable within the St. John's Parish Family, and experience their faith in perhaps some new ways.
Our expectation is that students entering the preparation program have been consistent in attending religion classes at the Catholic Schools, or the Generations of Faith sessions in the parish, and will continue this attendance after celebrating the sacrament. The formation from 1st – 8th grade is essential in forming students in their faith so they are ready to enter into preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The formation after grade 10 is essential to continued growth in the faith. Our role as a parish is to make sure there are a variety of faith growth opportunities for all, both within and outside our confirmation program.
9th Grade Year – Focus on Formation and Parish Participation
- Loyola Students: Continue with daily Religion Classes
- Public School Students: Continue Generations of Faith and attend monthly classes on "Living Catholic Values".
- All: Attend Mass weekly, participate in parish activities and service opportunities;
Develop or enhance personal prayer life;
Keep track of Service provided through church, school, and home;
Parent/Student/Sponsor Orientation takes place in September of the 10th grade year, in the form of a Parent/Student/Sponsor retreat that incorporates information about requirements and dates.
Click here for 9th Grade Parent Letter
Click here for 9th Grade Confirmation Calendar
10th Grade Year
- Meet monthly with other Confirmation students. These classes focus on immediate preparation for receiving the sacrament, such as choosing a saint name, gifts of the Holy Spirit, Rite of Confirmation and Confirmation Liturgy, etc;
- Participate in at least one retreat during the year;
- Participate in mentoring sessions with Confirmation Sponsor, on the 4 Wednesdays of January. Sessions vary: Speakers, faith sharing sessions, or Praise and Worship are all possibilities for mentoring sessions;
- Participate in Learning Centers with Sponsor;
- Interview with Pastor;
- Participate in two Rituals during the weekend Liturgy. This introduces the community to the candidates, and reminds the community of their responsibility to support the candidates both now and after their confirmation;
- Attend a Retreat/Practice and, of course, the Confirmation Liturgy;
- In addition, we equip both parents and sponsors with resources for engaging in small group faith sharing with their students and schedule opportunities for service. We also encourage prayer through Adoration, Sacrament of Reconciliation, various prayer suggestions in the parent/sponsor resources, daily personal prayer and attendance at weekend Mass.
Click here for 10th Grade Parent Letter
Click here for 10th Grade Confirmation Calendar
Confirmation is a sacrament with a fluid theology. We are always attentive to changes in Diocesan policy, and indeed the fact that Confirmation may be celebrated very differently in other places. It is not unusual for newcomers to the parish to have already been confirmed at a much younger age, or to feel unprepared at the age of 15. Our Bishop suggests that we may offer confirmation to a variety of ages of youth at the same time (14 – 18), so they may choose the time of greatest readiness for them personally. While we have not yet incorporated this at St. John's, it makes sense to recognize that not all 10th graders are at the same point of spiritual maturity, and to make provisions for this in our preparation process.
Hopefully this gives you a good idea of what is expected of and offered to Confirmation candidates and their families. Each student who comes forward for confirmation is already in relationship with Jesus Christ. Our hope is to nurture that relationship and be companions on the journey toward full initiation. In this way we will model lifelong learning and participation in the faith that we share, and help our candidates truly be a valued part of our community of believers here at St. John's.
Click here for the Parish Events Calendar.
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