Confirmation

Confirmation preparation is NOT a class, but a period of preparation for the candidate to take charge of their faith life and learn to actively live out their faith within the mission of the Church. Our program is designed for the Confirmandi to grow and deepen their faith. The Confirmandi will be developing the habit of putting God first. There are a lot of expectations, but attending Mass, prayer, developing a relationship with Jesus, living out their faith are things they should already be doing, and should be doing for the rest of their lives. 

For each session they will be expected to have and bring with them:

A Bible - Their own Bible. Not a family Bible, not a sibling's Bible. Their own Bible.

A Journal - We realize journaling is hard. It is not a "private" journal about their daily life and innermost secrets, but a spiritual journal where they will write about what they are reading, what questions they have, and how these things can (or do) apply to their lives.

A Rosary - They will be expected to learn and pray the rosary during their time in Confirmation preparation. 

Confirmation Requirements

1. Your family must be registered in the parish.  If your family is not registered, please attend a New Parishioner gathering between Masses on the 3rd Sunday of August, September, October, or November. 

2. The youth must be at least 15 years old and in the 10th grade. 

3. The youth must have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist. 

4. The youth is expected to be participating in religious education (youth group) or attending Catholic school AND regularly attending Mass on Sunday.  If your teen attends Catholic school, we strongly encourage them to attend our youth program, as our Catholic faith is lived through the parish. 

5. The youth is expected to participate in St. John Neumann's Confirmation program. 

Sponsor

You will choose a sponsor to accompany you on your journey. But your journey does not end with Confirmation. Confirmation is the beginning of your faith journey, so your sponsor should be there to witness the faith through their gift of time, availability, and guidance when questions arise. In choosing your sponsor, you should choose someone who will be there long-term for you. 

Sponsor Qualifications:

1. At least 16 years old. (While not disallowed, we discourage the choice of a sibling as a sponsor.)

2. Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist in the Catholic Church.

3. Not be bound by canonical penalty. (If married, be in a marriage recognized by the Catholic Church.)

4. Be leading a life of faith befitting the role to be undertaken. (Regularly attending Sunday Mass, living the faith)

5. Not the parent of the Confirmed. 

Role of the Sponsor

First, and most importantly, pray for and mentor the Candidate. We ask that you carry on a conversation of the faith with the Candidate throughout the process, particularly about what they are learning in preparation and how it applies to their life; and how they plan to live their faith beyond Confirmation. 

The most important gift you can give the youth is your time and witness of the faith. By virtue of our baptism and confirmation we are called to the service of the Church through leading others in faith. We thank you for your role in the life of our teens. 

You are not required to attend classes, however, you are more than welcome to attend. Please let us know at dre@sjnpowhatan.org if you wish to attend a class. 

You will occasionally  receive emails from St. John Neumann with information regarding Confirmation. Please add mail@flocknote.com as a safe sender so emails do not go to spam. 

You will need to complete a Sponsor Attestation Form. 

Saint Names

In most cases you will not need to pick a saint name, unless you wish to do so. The Diocese of Richmond suggests keeping your Baptismal name (your birth name) as your Confirmation name as long as it is a Christian name (John, Mary, David, Elizabeth, Peter...). 

If you have a non-Christian name (Mercedes, Autumn, West...) you are encouraged to pick a saint name for Confirmation. 

If you choose a saint name, it should be a saint who inspires you, someone you would like to emulate with your life. 

Free Will

Free will is a thing. God has given human beings the free will to choose right from wrong. And free will applies to Confirmation. You need to decide if the Confirmation events are more or less important than what is going on in your life. We are not forcing you to attend, we tell you what is expected and you decide what you are going to do. 

Life happens: someone gets married, someone passes away, your team competes in a major competition, you have required school events, there is always something else happening. We understand there are other important events in your life that help shape and form you into the person you are becoming and we will help you make up what was missed - to a point. But you will never make up the moments -- growing deeper in your faith; journeying with your peers through the Confirmation program; encountering Christ at Mass, through reconciliation, and on retreat. 

(Parents, this is for you too.) Sometimes we are in a period in life where the something repeatedly overshadows Mass attendance or Confirmation preparation. It is okay. This year might not be the time for you to be Confirmed. And that is okay! Every Sacrament (except Anointing of the Sick) has a period of preparation laid out by the Bishop and if you don't complete the preparation, you are unable to receive the sacrament. It is okay! The Church has been here for 2,000 years and we will be here, ready for you to prepare for your Confirmation, when you are ready. 

To a point: In the past, we have had to say "not this year," for teens who have not been able to fully participate in the Confirmation process. It is not an easy decision, and it is not something we want to do. However, when a candidate is repeatedly not at Mass, misses several classes, is repeatedly not attending our youth program, and/or there is very little communication about what is going on, it becomes very difficult for us to recommend you to the Bishop. If there is NO communication, we assume you no longer want to participate in Confirmation preparation. If we get to this point, we are not saying you can't be Confirmed, we are saying not this year.