SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

Dear Families,

Soon your child will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation which is a new and important chapter in their spiritual development. This information sheet is provided to assist you in supporting your child’s preparation for Confirmation.

Confirmation, celebrated by Father Andrew Jekot, will be held at Holy Rosary Church on Sunday 2nd August at 2:00 pm.

We ask that you arrive at the Church fifteen minutes before the start of Mass, collect your Mass booklet, find your seats and allow your child time to settle. The Mass will begin at 2:00pm sharp; students and families need to be seated by 1:50. One pew will be reserved for each family. Family names will be displayed on the end of pews. Children should sit closest to the centre aisle.

You will be directed by a Holy Rosary staff member, when it is your child’s turn to be confirmed. The children will be familiar with this process and will be able to guide their sponsor. Staff will also be there to assist.

THE ROLE OF THE CONFIRMATION SPONSOR

From time to time, we all need help to live a Christian life, so the sponsor’s role is to assist in this. Sponsors also play a special role in supporting you in guiding and teaching your child about living as a Catholic.

We ask you to discuss who your child may invite to undertake this important role as your child’s Confirmation Sponsor. Some children may like to choose their godparent. Sponsors must:

be a Catholic who has received the Sacrament of Confirmation
be at least 16 years old.

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS AND ANOINTING WITH CHRISM

Your child will come before Fr Andrew for the laying on of hands and anointing with the Chrism oil. They will be accompanied by their sponsor who will place their right hand on your child’s right shoulder while your child is being confirmed. This ancient action symbolises readiness to confirm receiving the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual support their sponsor will provide them throughout their lives.

CHOOSING A CONFIRMATION NAME

Your child will need to choose a saint’s name and Father Andrew will confirm them with this name. The children will have the opportunity to explore the stories of saints at school, however, additional time at home will be helpful. The aim is to help your child to develop an affinity towards a particular saint by considering the values and qualities the saint displayed while they were alive. It is also an ideal time to help your child find out more about the saint name you chose and your reasons for choosing it. They may also wish to find out about their sponsor’s chosen saint’s name.

Your child’s Confirmation name must be specific. For example, if they choose Mary, they need to specify Mary, Mother of God or Saint Mary Mackillop of the Cross, or Saint Francis of Assisi, or Saint Paul the Apostle, etc.

PINS

Before the ceremony begins, teachers will assemble the children outside the church. Prior to this we ask that parents attach a sacramental pin to their child’s lapel, these will be placed in your family’s pew prior to the Mass. At the conclusion of Mass children may take their pin home as a memory of the sacrament.

APPROPRIATE DRESS

We ask you to support your child with their clothing selection and grooming, to ensure that they are presented in a manner appropriate for this occasion.

RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES

During your child’s baptism, you and your child's Godparents made promises on their behalf. During Confirmation, your child will renew their response to the same promises by saying, “I do.” Please practise this with your child so they are confident on the day. This is also an opportunity to discuss with your child what it means to make a promise.

FAMILY RESOURCE

Flame of Faith is a family friendly resource that provides basic information about the Sacrament of Confirmation and includes a brief video showing what you can expect to experience. Click on the picture link to view.

https://youtu.be/sFo-9H-lZlk?si=d2r9e93DOfoslaWt

The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne has a resource ‘Journeying Together’ which offers you a way of participating in your child’s spiritual formation and faith journey. The resource is designed to complement the children’s sacramental preparation undertaken at school.

Each module consists of four sessions (about 45 minutes each), which follow a process that assists parents and children to explore the meaning behind the elements of the sacrament, but also to grow in the Catholic faith through a spiritual encounter with Jesus.

PHOTOS

You are welcome to take photos before and after the celebration, however, we ask you to refrain from taking photos during the sacrament. Due to child safety requirements, we ask that you do not take photos with children other than your own unless you have parental permission.

CONFIRMATION CARD

Please fill in the details below and return this to your child’s teacher no later than Monday 27th July, either as a hard copy or via email. This information will be used on the day of Confirmation and transferred to Parish records.

COMMUNION

Gluten free hosts are available. Please contact your child’s class teacher to inform them of this requirement. Parents who do not wish to receive Communion, please place your arms across your chest to indicate this to the Communion minister.

We look forward to celebrating this occasion with you. Feel free to contact your child’s class teacher should you have any questions.

Sarah, Religious Education Leader

Muscular Dystrophy Australia (MDA)