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High School Confirmation Program
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“Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiations, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.”
-Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1316
Confirmation Mass with Bishop Joe Vasquez is Scheduled for May 3, 2020 at 5 PM -
Registration is NOW OPEN!
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The mission of the Confirmation Preparation program at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church is to empower high school-age young people to develop a deep and profound, life-long relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.
$50 Sacramantal Supply Fee (due upon registration)
Confirmation Fees:
Fees may be paid online by visiting our online-giving page and choosing Confirmation Class Supply Fee.
$90 Confirmation Retreat Fee (due by February 9, 2020)
If you feel you are unable to pay either or both of the above fees, please contact josie@svdpparish.org for scholarship opportunities. Please don't let cost stand in the way of Confirmation preparation!
Diocesan Requirements for Confirmation Preparation
In order for any candidate to begin Confirmation Preparation, they must meet the requirements set forth by the Diocese of Austin:- “In recognizing that faith formation is a lifelong process, a minimum of two years of formal religious education in a parish or Catholic school program is required to immediately precede preparation for Confirmation.”
In order to receive the Sacrament in the Spring semester of 10th grade, the student must have regularly attended formation in all of 9th grade and all of 10th grade through to the confirmation date in either a Catholic School or parish setting.
- “The sacramental preparation process is supplemental to regular participation in the parish religious education program.”
Confirmation specific preparation will not take place during Sunday evening Youth Nights (IMPACT). Confirmation prep will take place through 4 Super Sundays and a Confirmation-specific retreat.
- “Study and preparation should take place within a period not to exceed nine to twelve weeks”
Confirmation specific preparation will take place between January and April 2020.
Confirmation Preparation Schedule for 2020
Sunday, January 12 – Confirmation Parent Meeting, 3 PM – 4:30 PM, SVdP PAC
Sunday, January 19 – Super Sunday 1, 3 PM – 4:45 PM, SVdP PAC
Sunday, February 9 – Super Sunday 2, 3 PM – 4:45 PM, SVdP PAC
Sunday, March 1 – Super Sunday 3, 3 PM – 4:45 PM, SVdP PAC
Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29 – Conf. Retreat, Camp T-Bar-M, Lake Travis
Sunday, April 5 – Super Sunday 4, 3 PM – 4:45 PM, SVdP PAC
Thursday, April 30 – Confirmation Rehearsal, 6 PM, Church
Sunday, May 3 – Confirmation Mass, 5 PM (Candidates & Sponsors report at 3:30 PM)
Sunday, May 17 – Mystagogy, 6 PM, SVdP PAC (Candidates receive certificates at IMPACT)
Confirmation Curriculum
St. Vincent de Paul uses “Chosen: Your Journey toward Confirmation” from Ascension Press. Written copies of “Chosen” are available by request.
Confirmation Requirements Checklist
Candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation are expected to participate fully in each way listed below. Failure to meet these requirements will result in loss of Confirmation eligibility for the 2019-2020 religious education year.
- Regularly attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation
- Participate in regular Youth Ministry & Religious Education activities (IMPACT Youth Nights) with at least 80% attendance for the 2 academic years prior to the Confirmation date (typically 9th & 10th grade).
- Turn in all registration, retreat, and service hour paperwork on time (see below).
- Participate in all 4 Super Sundays.
- Participate in a Confirmation Retreat
- Completion of a Confirmation interview with James Longoria, Fr. Ed Koharchik, a deacon, or another Confirmation preparation leader.
- Show a desire for, understanding of, and readiness for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Confirmation Paperwork Requirements
Copies of each of the following items must be turned in as a single packet no later than February 9, 2020. Incomplete packets will not be accepted.
- Candidate Sacramental Registration Form (included in this packet)
- Copy of Baptismal Certificate (only if Church of Baptism is NOT St. Vincent de Paul)
- Retreat Permission Slip and Payment (included in this packet)
- Confirmation Parent Covenant Form (included in this packet)
- Sponsor Information Form (included in this packet)
- Diocese of Austin Sponsor Covenant Form (included in this packet)
- This form replaces Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage certificates for sponsors.
Copies of each of the following items must be turned in no later than April 5, 2020. No extensions will be given.
- Service Hour Form (included in this packet)
- Any 2 of the following essays. Each essay must be a minimum of 3 paragraphs and a maximum of 2 pages, double-spaced in 12-point font:
- Service Reflection Essay – The candidate must write about their experience participating in service projects and how they feel that experience has formed them in their Catholic faith.
- Saint Reflection Essay – The candidate must write about the life and legacy of their Confirmation saint, why they chose that saint, and the impact that prayer with that saint has had on their life.
- Retreat Reflection Essay – The candidate must write about their experience on their Confirmation retreat, what spiritual lessons they learned while on retreat, and how they can apply those lessons to their faith life moving forward.
Confirmation Service Hour Requirements
As Christians, we are called to service (Matthew 25:31-46). Candidates for Confirmation are asked to accept their share of this responsibility by performing at least 18 service hours. 5 or more hours must be completed in each of the following categories:- Church Hours – Service in liturgical and non-liturgical ministries, volunteering at events, VBS, etc.
- Family Hours – Service to immediate or extended family, chores, etc.
- Community Hours – Service to the greater community.
Additionally, participation in a class service project (SVdP campus cleanup – dates TBD) is required.
Please see the Confirmation Service Hour Form (included in this packet) for a complete overview of service hour requirements and opportunities.
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Adult Confirmation
Adults seeking the sacrament of Confirmation should participate in the parish Adult Confirmation Program. For more information on adult Confirmation please click here!