Confirmation
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to be open to receiving the grace of the sacrament, responding to his or her Baptism. It is through careful study and prayer that a candidate should prepare to receive Confirmation.
The confirmand or candidate for youth Confirmation is defined as a baptized adolescent who has received the Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist, and who participates in the parish’s Confirmation-preparation program and religious education classes.
Our dynamic and relevant Confirmation Program is waiting for you! Please join us for this adventure in faith and journey toward the holy Sacrament of Confirmation!
Look for announcements in the SJN weekly bulletin for the annual autumn Confirmation Kick-Off Meeting.
For additional questions, please use the contact information button above.
2021/22 Confirmation Kick-Off
Sunday, September 2025, at 9:45 am Multipurpose Room
Preferred Confirmation Retreat
It will be in December at Roslyn. I do not yet have details from Epiphany.
Diocesan Confirmation Retreats:
I do not yet have dates for the Confirmation retreats.
Confirmation 2022-23 Classes
Confirmation Draft Calendar 2022-2023.pdfRequirements for Youth Sacrament of Confirmation
Youth may celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in their sophomore year of high school. The confirmand must meet the diocesan guidelines pertaining to age and readiness (individual is both at least 15 years of age and enrolled in at least the tenth grade).
Families must be registered and participating in the Parish
Youth must be enrolled in parish Religious Education or attend private Catholic school.
Enrollment in St. John Neumann's Confirmation program is also required. This program is separate from religious education.
Steps & Required Documentation
Immediately notify the parish office of your intent.
Be sure your family is registered in the parish.
Complete an on line Youth Religious Education Registration, or download, print out and turn in a Youth Religious Education Registration form.
Complete a Sponsor Attestation form Note: We will be asking sponsors to participate in various activities and to attend some classes. Please choose someone who lives close enough to take an active part in the process.
Proof of your Baptism and First Eucharist. We need certificate copies or parish name, address and phone number of the parish where they were received. Former parishes may Fax copies of certificates to 804-598-1467.
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to be a candidate. What next?
Immediately notify the parish office of your intent.
Be sure your family is registered in the parish.
Complete a Youth Religious Education Registration form.
Complete a Sponsor Attestation form
Attach proof of your Baptism and First Eucharist. We need certificate copies or parish name, address and phone number of the parish where they were received. Former parishes may Fax copies of certificates to 804-598-1467.
Attach Sponsor Attestation form.
What are the requirements for Godparents and Confirmation Sponsors
Please Note
We will be asking sponsors to participate in various activities and to attend some classes so please choose someone who lives close enough to take an active part in the process. If you are having trouble finding a sponsor, there are parishioners who will be glad to help. Just let us know.
Church Law (Code of Canon Law, can. 874 §1) requires that the godparent/sponsor be:
At least 16 years old
Fully-initiated Catholic (having received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)
Not bound by any canonical penalty (e.g. a person who is married must be in a marriage which is recognized by the Church)
Leading a life of faith befitting the role to be undertaken [regularly attending Mass on Sunday and living the faith)
Not parents of the child (for infant Baptism)
May be parent of the candidate (for Confirmation)
Do I choose a “Confirmation Name”?
Since Confirmation is now seen in relationship to Baptism, any discussion of a Confirmation name must be placed in that context. The current Rite of Confirmation recommends that the sponsor for Confirmation be the baptismal godparent. It presumes that candidates for Confirmation will be addressed by their baptismal name. Nowhere does the rite mention the custom of choosing a separate Confirmation name. Neither does the Code of Canon Law. Only in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is there mention of a rite for a catechumen to receive a “baptismal name” before the celebration of that sacrament. While the affirmation of one’s baptismal name is thus preferred, one could choose another saint’s name or a mystery of the Lord to be pronounced by the bishop in addition to (not in place of) the baptismal name.
Do I need a sponsor?
You will be asked to choose a sponsor to assist you in faithfully fulfilling your baptismal promises with the help of the Holy Spirit. In choosing this sponsor, you recognize their maturity and practice of the faith to help you conform more closely to Christ.
Very Important !! We will be asking sponsors to participate in various activities and to attend some classes so please choose someone who lives close enough to take an active part in the process. If you are having trouble finding a sponsor, there are parishioners who will be glad to help. Just let us know.
What are the elements of the program?
Inquiry Phase, Orientation and Discernment
Candidates and parents attend an orientation session to help candidates discern their readiness and disposition for sacramental preparation.
The pastor or his delegated individual(s) conduct separate interviews of both the candidate and his or her parents for beginning Confirmation preparation.
The pastor’s invitation for the candidate to enter the program is based on the interviewer’s assessment of (1) Participation in the sacramental life of the Church, especially regular attendance at Sunday Mass and reception of Holy Communion. (2) Basic formation in the Gospel as evidenced through knowledge of the Catholic faith and desire for ongoing conversion.
Catechetical Component
Each parish is responsible for creating a Confirmation Program following the diocesan Confirmation curriculum that is separate, distinct, and stand-alone Confirmation program from the 4-year systematic adolescent curriculum. The catechesis must cover all objectives included in the Confirmation curriculum—no more and no less. It is expected that the Confirmation program will not last more than six months, and will not require more than 15 contact hours with the candidates.
The instruction for Confirmation has been organized into four miniature courses or modules. These explore the sacrament within the entirety of the Catholic faith, and focus on the role of the Holy Spirit—in salvation history, in the sacraments and mission of the Church, and in the lives of those who are confirmed. It is important to note that there is coherence to these modules, as each one builds on the others.
The parish may choose a textbook for Confirmation preparation and structure the catechetical sessions accordingly. SJN has chosen Decision Point from DynamicCatholic.Com as the basis of our program. This will help candidates to grasp the meaning and purpose of Confirmation.
All candidates for Confirmation must participate in the Confirmation preparation program. This includes all Catholic school students as well as home-school students.
Retreat and service projects
Attendance at a one-day retreat (no overnight) is required. An overnight retreat is strongly encouraged. Most candidates choose to attend the Net Ministries retreat which is usually held at St Mary’s, Richmond, date to be announced.
Service to the parish is a prerequisite; a specific service project is not required but strongly encouraged.