Confirmation candidate/sponsor
Retreat Day

A day retreat for our confirmation candidates and their sponsors. 
March 27, 2022
8:30am-2:30pm
SC Parish Hall 

Confirmation Class 2020

Laying on of hands

Anointing with Sacred Chrism

About the Confirmation Program

The Immaculate Conception and St. Columba Confirmation Program is a two year program designed to help our young people come to a deeper understanding of how the Holy Spirit works in their lives and in the life of our Church.  It is our hope with that understanding; they can interact with the Spirit to lead a life that will draw them into a closer relationship with our Lord Jesus.  Preparation begins in the 6th or 7th grade and is completed as 7th or 8th graders.  The Bishop visits every two years in May to confirm our candidates and we alternate the celebration between the two parishes.  Preparation for youth falling out of these age levels will be determined by the pastor and Director of Religious Education. 

This year will begin our first year of prep and we will be using a Confirmation Preparation Program called Chosen by Ascension Press.  Scroll to the bottom to see one of the videos from Chosen Program.
 
Because of the amount of material to be covered a deadline to enroll into the confirmation program is necessary. To receive the sacrament at our next Confirmation Celebration in 2024 the deadline to enroll is January 1st 2023. If you have any questions or wish to enroll your youth into our Confirmation Program please contact the Director of Youth Ministry or the parish office.    

Prerequisite:  must have received the Sacrament of Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Eucharist.  If your youth has not received any one of the these Sacraments, please contact our Director of Religious Education.  

Mass:  The young person must regularly attend Sunday Mass and will be observed by Fr. Terry. 

Confirmation classes: are held every Wednesday evening from 6:00- 7:00 pm.  These classes are very important in preparing the candidate for confirmation and every effort should be made for the candidate to attend.  Frequent absenteeism will result in the parent being contacted by Fr. Terry.  For class dates and special events please see our Calendar or Events Page.  For more information about our religious ed program you may see our Handbook.
 
Service Works: Service to the community and parish is encouraged.  The class will plan and participate in a group project that serves the community.   
 
Below are some important events scheduled for our candidates during their First and Second year of preparation.  

• 1st year Confirmation Candiate/Parent Meeting - Date and Location TBD.  A meeting designed to inform the candidates and parents what to expect and how to help their child better prepare for the sacrament. 

• 1st year Gasper Retreat Day - Date TBD

• 2nd year Confirmation Parent/Sponsor Meeting - February 2nd 6:00pm in IC Parish Hall.  A meeting designed to inform the parents and sponsors what to expect and how to help their child better prepare for the sacrament. 

• 2nd year Rite of Welcome and Commitment: will be celebrated on Date TBD during the 8:30 am and 10:30 am weekend Mass.  The candidates and sponsors will receive a welcome from the parish community.  The candidate will then demonstrate their commitment to continue learning about the sacrament and bringing their lives into conformity with what the sacrament signifies.

• 2nd year Sponsor/Candidate Retreat Day: Is scheduled March 27 at St. Columba beginning with Mass at 8:30 am and concluding at 2:30 pm.  This meeting will initiate discussion and sharing between the sponsor and candidate.  Its structured setting provides a means for the two to talk about faith issues and lays a basis for future discussions and development of a spiritual relationship  

• 2nd year Confirmation Retreat: Scheduled for February 19, 2022.  Each candidate will participate in an overnight retreat(due to COVID this retreat will not be an overnight) to spend time in discernment, reflection and community building with other candidates in the program.  

• 2nd year Chrism Mass:  Date TBD.  The confirmation group will attend the Chrism Mass at the Sports Center in Oboro.  Two candidates will be chosen to receive the Oil of Chrism from Bishop Medley.  Parents and sponsors are welcome. 

• Confirmation Rehearsal and Reconciliation: Monday May 16 6:00pm at St. Columba for the sponsor and candidate.

• Confirmation: Date May 17, 2022 at 6:00pm at St. Columba.   Reception will follow in the Church Hall