Confirmation
Downloadable Forms
Click here to download and print a Confirmation registration form.
Click here to download and print a Parents Responsibilities form.
Click here to download and print an Emergency Information form.
Click here to view a service experience explanation and form
Click here to view an explanation of the new confirmation process for 9th graders.
Click here to view an explanation of the new confirmation process for 10th graders.
Confirmation
As a sacrament of initiation, Confirmation is intimately related to Baptism and the Eucharist. Christians are reborn in Baptism, strengthened by Confirmation, and sustained by the Eucharist. Specifically, in Confirmation, they are signed with the gift of the Spirit and become more perfect images of their Lord.
Confirmation emphasizes the transformation of life by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Confirmed Christians claim as fully their own the new life into which they were initiated by Baptism. The Church expresses its continued support and concern for the spiritual growth of those who are confirmed and at the same time looks to them to assist others to grow and mature in the Christian life.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis recommends the Confirmation be during the tenth grade year. At Guardian Angles we have a two year process which begins in the ninth grade.
Confirmation Program Frequently Asked Questions
Does G.A. need the original baptismal Certificate? No. If you give us the original, we will make a copy and give the original back to you. If you give us a copy, we will keep it for our records.
What if my teenager was baptized at G.A.? You do not need to give us a copy of the certificate. Just let us know that your teen was baptized here.
What if my teenager was baptized in a different parish, but made his/her First Communion at G.A.? We may or may not have the baptismal certificate on file. Please submit a copy if you are able to expedite the process. If you are having trouble locating it, please let us know.
What are the goals of the retreat? The retreats are meant to draw youth into a closer relationship with God. They are also meant to draw the youth into a closer relationship with other persons from their parish community. Many of the retreat options specifically have Confirmation as the theme of the retreat, which will offer the opportunity for additional understanding of the sacrament they are preparing for.
Can the retreat that my teen does at a Catholic School count for their Confirmation Retreat requirement? No. One of our primary goals is to connect the youth to their local church community and/or provide a retreat experience specific to Confirmation; therefore, school-based retreats do not fulfill this requirement.
Why do we do five different service experiences rather than a number of hours? Our ministry or service requirements are understood as a kind of apprenticeship in the Christian life. We hope the expectation of several different experiences will give your youth exposure to a variety of types of service, some should be performed in the company of others, and wherever possible, with the candidates’ family, sponsor, small group or other older parishioners. This will help build an understanding of a Christian community working together toward a common goal. Each candidate is asked to complete at least one experience each with his/her sponsor, family and small group. For most candidates, one or more of the experiences may be a long term or even year long commitment, but most are several hours or part of a day. Completing the service experience records will help the candidates reflect on their service. This record is a permanent reminder for future needs such as college applications.
Can my spouse or I be a sponsor for our teenager? No. Cannon law states that sponsors must be people other than the parents, since Confirmation sponsors take the place of the parents in the same way that godparents do at Baptism. This also means that stepparents cannot be sponsors either. However, it is okay to ask Baptismal godparents to also serve as Confirmation sponsors.
My teen would like to ask a relative/friend that lives out of state to be Confirmation sponsor, but they will only be able to come for the ceremony. Is this wise? This is a tough call. A sponsor really needs to be a person who is actively in contact with the teen. Sometimes this can be done well through phone calls and emails. This mentoring sponsor relationship is one that lasts longer than the Confirmation ceremony-ideally throughout the candidate’s life. It really depends on the ability of the two people to establish and maintain a relationship even though it is long distance. It is possible, but not ideal.
What if the candidate’s Baptismal sponsor is no longer in our family due to divorce? Or what about choosing a relative who is not or is no longer Catholic? For Baptism and for Confirmation, candidates can have a Christian witness, but they also need a Catholic sponsor who will be written in the church records as the sponsor for Confirmation.
Who should we choose if we are from out of the area and don’t know anyone who is Catholic? You may want to choose the parent of one of your candidate’s friends. If you still have difficulty finding a person, please call Emily Klinker. Every year we are happy to match up parishioners who would be honored to be a Confirmation sponsor for candidate who don’t have one.
When do candidate’s choose a “Confirmation name”? During one of our first sessions, we will present the concept of Confirmation names. This is really not about choosing a name, but instead about selecting a saint who might be a role model or “patron saint” for them. We will give guidance, some great resources and plenty of time to make their selection.
