Preparation Days Saturday 15^th June 2019 and Saturday 22^nd June 2019 from 10am – 2pm in St Mary’s Church Hall. If candidates wish to be confirmed they MUST be in year 8 or above and attend both preparation days. Prior to the preparation days there will be a registration meeting at 6.00pmTuesday 4^th June in St Mary’s which candidates are asked to attend with a Parent/ Guardian. At this meeting, Baptismal Certificates are checked so please bring these with you if you were baptised outside the parish. 

Celebration of the Sacrament with Archbishop George Stack on Friday 28th June at 7.00pm                                                              

Special thanks to catechists Jo & Annie who prepare our young people to receive this sacrament and to the music team and other helpers behind the scenes who make celebrations run so smoothly.                                                  

 If you would like to find out more about becoming a catechist or helping out at the  confirmation celebrations in any way please see Father Tim.

More details for Confirmation 2019 details will be published in the newsletter nearer the time.   

Confirmation (‘strengthening’) completes the initiation (entry) of Baptism, with prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit who is poured out upon us, to fortify our Faith and deepen our Christian commitment. The Gift and grace of the Spirit dwelling within us moves us from being simply Disciples, followers, of Christ, to being also Apostles of Christ, proclaiming his Good News and making it happen by sharing in his work. In this way Confirmation is a sacrament of ongoing conversion, and a sacrament of mature and adult faith.

Confirmation Preparation

Candidates should be in Year 8 (age 12-13) or above and be willing to follow a programme of preparation. Confirmation is usually celebrated in May/ June. T

Adults are usually Confirmed immediately after Baptism and then share in Communion in the Body of Christ with the assembly of the Church. This threefold sacrament of Initiation is usually celebrated on Easter Night.

Young People who have been baptized as infants in the faith of their parents are usually Confirmed by the Bishop in their early teens (School Year 8 or above). If you feel you are ready and wanting to be confirmed in your faith and practice next time the Parish invites the Bishop to celebrate the Sacrament, please keep an eye on the newsletter for the announcement of the preparation programme.

Why Be Confirmed?

• Confirmation empowers and celebrates our adult faith. It strengthens our growth in Christ.
• Confirmed Christians are enabled to take to take a full and active part in the life of the Church.
• They may and should take part and minister at Mass each Sunday in whatever role the Parish calls them to and their talents suit them for.
• They can and ought to take an active part in the life of their Parish and their community, again according to their talents and gifts:- The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the source and strength of their Christian life and vocation, in family or single life, in service and profession, in citizenship and civic responsibility, in social and in cultural life.

When does Confirmation take place?

Confirmation takes place once a year during Mass when the bishop visits the parish for the celebration.  The date of the celebration changes each year with preparation classes starting a few months before the celebration.  Keep any eye on the parish newsletter for more information.