Confirmation
Formation Overview
What are the changes I hear about regarding Confirmation?
In early 2003 Bishop Aymond promulgated a new
policy on the formation and age of Confirmation in the Diocese of Austin.
Prior to this policy, the age of Confirmation in the Diocese ranged from
second grade to eleventh grade and the formation period ranged from six
weeks to two years, depending on the individual parish. The new policy helps
to strengthen parish programs by offering a consistency in the age and
formation requirements in neighboring parishes and throughout the Diocese.
When will I be Confirmed?
In light of Diocesan Policy on Confirmation, St.
Paul will offer Confirmation formation in the spring of a student’s
sophomore year of high school.
What is the Religious Education requirement for Confirmation?
Our hope is that students are continually
involved and engaged in religious education, youth ministry and the life of
their parish. However, pursuant to the Diocesan Policy for Confirmation,
students must have, at a minimum, the two years immediately prior to
beginning Confirmation formation in a formal parish Religious Education,
Comprehensive Youth Ministry or Catholic School program. At St. Paul, since
our formation will begin in the spring of the tenth grade year, students
will have to be active in the program from their second semester eighth
grade year until Confirmation begins in the spring of their tenth grade
year.
Ideally, students should be involved in
religious education and youth ministry every year and adults should be
pursuing adult formation opportunities. At a minimum students should have
the following to enter the Confirmation formation in the spring of their
tenth grade year.
8th Grade Year
Students should participate in the parish’s RE
classes or be enrolled in a Catholic School with theology and/or religious
education classes.
9th Grade Year
Students are required to attend 80% of the
religious education classes or be enrolled in a Catholic School with
theology and/or religious education classes.
10th Grade Year
Students are required to attend 80% of the
religious education classes before Confirmation formation begins in January
or be enrolled in a Catholic School with theology and/or religious education
classes.
What if I attend a Catholic School?
All students regardless of school will
participate in the same parish Confirmation formation in the spring of the
tenth grade year.
What does the Confirmation formation process look like?
The Confirmation Formation Program will begin
in early January and consists of the following:
-
A retreat
-
Confirmation Classes
-
A day of renewal for students and sponsor
-
Complete and document a service project
Update:
Confirmation Preparation
classes will be in Grace Hall from 7:30pm till 9:00pm on the dates listed
below. All candidates receiving their Confirmation on April 20, 2008
are required to attend.
January 10, 24
February 14, 28
March 6, 27
April 3