2026-2027 Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation

The ordinary year of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation has recently changed to 8th Grade in the Archdiocese. Our process of preparation is 6-7 months long, with the understanding that recent years of faith formation (7th grade at least) have been completed.

We are excited for your family, that it is time for your child to receive their final sacrament of initiation and, with it, the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit! This is huge moment in the life of a Catholic and we take seriously the process of opening the candidate up to the graces God wants to give him/her. All that we expect of the candidates preparing for this sacrament are aimed at this goal. Ultimately, it is God who is giving the grace, we are merely seeking to remove barriers to that grace and open the heart and mind more widely.

CANDIDATE EXPECTATIONS

• Commitment to daily prayer: this sacrament is geared towards a lively relationship with the Holy Spirit. Daily prayer is indispensable to a life of Christian faith. As St. Theresa of Avila famously said, prayer is "nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us." Our faith means that we accept that the God of the Universe wants that intimate relationship with us and we take the time to give Him our attention and affection. Resources will be provided for deepening a life of mature prayer.
• Weekly Mass Attendance: the Eucharist is, in the words of the Catechism, "the source and summit of the faith." Our Lord has made it clear that weekly participation in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is a minimum expectation of all Catholics and, therefore, essential to prepare for Confirmation.
• Regular Class Attendance: Since we have a shortened process (used to be 2 years!), we will hold in-person classes nearly every Sunday morning between Masses at IC (see schedule below). It is here that you will learn about the sacrament and what a mature life of faith as a Christian looks like as you seek to embrace it personally.
• Community Service: We must put our faith into action. Again in the words of St. Theresa of Avila, "The important thing is not to think much, but to love much, and so do that which best stirs you to love". To that end, we ask that teens commit to 6-8 hours of service to those in need in the community as a way of living Christian sacrificial love. Resources/ideas will be provided.
• Regular Check-ins with Sponsor: you are asked to immediately find a SPONSOR, a fully-initiated and active Catholic (16+ yrs old) who inspires you to more fully embrace your Catholic faith. Our second meeting (Sept 27) will include sponsors and we will share how to engage in this relationship throughout the preparation process.
• Day-long Retreat (Saturday in February, TBD): this retreat will provide an important extended moment for preparing for the Sacrament you will soon receive. There will be activities, discussion, extended prayer time in Adoration and Sacramental Confession with a priest.

We will begin this process with...

parent-Teen Kick-off Meeting

Two options (both in IC Parish Hall):

1. Tues. Sept. 15 at 6:15 PM
2. Wed. Sept. 16 at 6:15 PM

Followed by a...

Sponsor-Teen Meeting at IC Church, Newburyport

Sunday, September 27 at 10:05 AM (after 9:00 AM Mass)

Following the Sponsor-Teen Meeting, we will have...

12 catechesis sessions

Sunday mornings from ~10:05 - 11:20 AM (after 9:00 AM Mass) at IC: