WELCOME

Dear Parents and Candidates:

    Welcome! We are looking forward to sharing this journey of faith with you and your family as you prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. As you will see, Confirmation preparation involves learning, sharing, serving, spiritual growth, and fellowship! Candidates will be given the opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

    Confirmation is the Sacrament in which one is enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit and bound more perfectly to the Church. It strengthens us and obliges us to be witnesses to Christ by word, deed, and to spread and defend the faith.

    Confirmation is the Sacrament that perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives us a fuller participation in the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply as children of God, incorporates us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us to bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.

    Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian soul; for this reason, one can receive this sacrament only once.

    A Christian does not live as a child of God through his or her own efforts alone, but through the grace of God. We see this in a practical way when we look back on our own lives and the lives of others, even the lives of saints. Therefore, it is our duty to seek the grace that God offers us in order to live our lives as Christians in the way that God intends. When we fully participate in His Church through the Sacraments and through our involvement in our community, we ARE the Body of Christ.

    St. Josephs unequivocally recognizes the parents’ role as primary educators of their children in the faith. The Church has a responsibility to not only support parents in this role, but to assist parents, as well. We have attempted to create a program designed to best support and assist our parents. We do not want the faith formation program at St. Josephs to be a replacement of the parents’ role as primary educator. Instead, we hope to stand beside and partner with our parents in helping to lead your teen closer to Christ.

Thank you for allowing us to assist you in preparing for Confirmation.

WHO MAY BE CONFIRMED

Confirmation candidates:

• Will be entering the 11th  grade for the school year. The Archdiocese of Mobile requires that each candidate must be 16 years of age to be confirmed.
• Must be a registered member of St. Joseph’s parish and the religious education program two years prior to receiving the sacrament.
• Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist.
• Practicing their faith weekly with mass attendance.  Mass attendance card must be turned in each week.
• Are in the state of grace
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities of a member of the Catholic Church.
• Are aware of the initiation aspect of the Sacrament of Confirmation and be committed to studying their faith and practicing it throughout their lifetime.
• Have a sincere desire to receive the sacrament, as well as an appreciation of the sacramental life.