Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, is a Sacrament of Initiation. The three are intimately connected.
On March 31st, Bishop Sweeney confirmed our current 15 candidates at St. Thomas the Apostle. Please continue to pray for them and their families.
In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.
The preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is parish-based, as the parish remains the center of lifelong faith development for Catholics.
Per current Diocesan guidelines, it is a two year program for those preparing to receive the sacrament and involves catechesis, service, and more.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is currently being administered to our 8th Grade students, rather than in Grade 10 as in the past. Because the preparation period is a two-year process, all students who are to be confirmed must attend at least two consecutive years of instruction.
We hope that every student will also become an active member of the Youth Group - CATHOLIC ZOOMERS. It is a joint venture of our parish with Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish - Branchville, NJ where meetings are normally held.
Students in Grade 7 through high school are welcomed.
Now Emeritus Bishop Serratelli had previously approved our request that, going forward, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered to our 8th Grade students. For info on this, please speak directly to Mrs. Mary Flexer, C.R.E. or with Father Wayne, pastor.
We encourage any adult who has been Baptized a Catholic and received the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist, who wishes to be a fully initiated Catholic, to join in preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
These preparation sessions are for adults {ages 18 & over} who were baptized Catholic, have received the other Sacraments of Initiation and for whatever reason have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Those who present themselves for this Sacrament will have an initial interview and then may begin the preparation to last for 10 sessions.
This preparation is offered free of charge.
If an adult is asked to serve as a godparent at a Baptism or to be a sponsor for a Confirmation candidate, it is required that they have been confirmed.
Please call the Religious Education Center at 973-948-7004 for any questions you might have. Leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.
Alex Sousa,
Coordinator for the Adult Confirmation Program