Confirmation

All young people who have been on Alpha during 23/24 are eligible and all other young people in Yr 10 and above are eligible to apply.

The confirmation programme after Youth Alpha will involve taught sessions, There will be an information meeting for parents and young people held in 2024 This meeting provides the opportunity for everyone to find out about the programme content, the programme dates, ask any questions they might have and to meet the leaders, known as catechists, and each other. If, after the meeting the young people decide they wish to prepare for the sacrament then the Programme will start shortly afterwards.

The Parishes are pleased to be able to provide a really engaging programme building on youth Alpha which will include:

• an opportunity for candidates to meet other young Catholics from the parish and to make new friends
• space to talk about what is important to them and to share their faith
• time to explore interesting and engaging areas of Church teaching
• a chance to get involved in practical social action and
• to experience different forms of prayer

Candidates will be invited to choose a sponsor who will be a source of spiritual support for them during and after the programme. This might be a godparent, relative, family friend or fellow parishioner who is not less than 16, a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken. This person must not be the Father or Mother of the candidate.

When candidates are confirmed, they can choose a Confirmation name to add to their first and middle names — or they can just use their names given at Baptism. However, the new name must be a Christian name such as one of the canonised saints or a hero from the Bible.

Help will be provided during the programme in choosing a sponsor and a Confirmation name.

Baptism, the Eucharist and the sacrament of Confirmation are the sacraments of Christian initiation. The Catholic Church teaches that confirmation binds the baptised more perfectly to the Church, enriching them with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. It helps us to be true witnesses of Christ, encouraging us to defend the faith by word and deed. The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead with sacred chrism and the laying on of the Bishop’s hand with the words: Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Confirmation catechesis will continue later in 2024 for young people wishing to be confirmed.

The sacrament of Confirmation is a key moment in the life of a young Christian. Preparation for this sacrament must be undertaken with great care to ensure that the candidate knows fully the commitment. Youth Alpha prepares them for taking on the confirmation course. In order for candidates to be fully prepared and for the programme to be successful, the church requires commitment to the Confirmation programme as outlined below:

Candidates

• must express their own desire to receive the sacrament of Confirmation;
• are expected to attend Mass every weekend;
• should ensure they attend each and every programme session and be on time;
• should enter fully into the programme activities;
• should listen to catechists and each other, respecting their views;
• should not allow their own behaviour to disrupt others;
• should undertake acts of service within the community willingly

Young people should discuss confirmation with their parents/guardians and decide for themselves if they are ready to take this journey. If they do not feel ready at the time, if it is not their choice or they are unable to meet the required commitment they should consider leaving Confirmation for another year. There is no maximum age limit for the sacrament, the RCIA programme is open for anyone aged over 18.

If anyone has any questions or concerns regarding the sacramental programme you can speak to our parish priests, one of the catechists or enquire at the parish office.

In 2023/24 Fr Paschal is leading the courses.

1. Sunday, 26th May: "The profession of faith: What we believe."
2. Sunday, 9th June: "Celebration of the Christian Mysteries: How we celebrate."
3. Sunday, 23rd June: "Life in Christ: How we are called to live."
4. Sunday, 6th July: "Christian Prayer: How we Pray."
5. Sunday, 25th August,” 2pm to 4:30pm. Social Gathering –Venue to be confirmed
6. Sunday, 8th September: "Preparation for Confirmation."

Sacrament of Confirmation is scheduled for Wednesday, 11th September 2024, with Bishop Alan at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church, time to be confirmed.