Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, form the Sacraments of Initiation that are all intimately connected.
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 the Sacrament of Confirmation is parish-based, as the parish remains the center of lifelong faith development for Catholics.
As per Diocesan guidelines, it is a two year program for those preparing to receive the sacrament and involves catechesis, service, and more.
Bishop Serratelli approved that, going forward, the Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered to our 8th Grade students, instead of in Grade 10 as in the past.
This year (2019- 2020) will be a transition year, aswe will be preparing 8th, 9th and 10th Grade students at the same time.
Because the preparation for Confirmation is a two-year process, all students who are to be confirmed must attend at least two consecutive years of instruction. For example, if a student enrolls in our 8th Grade program, but did not attend Grade 7, then he or she will need a second year of instruction and will receive the Sacrament in 9th grade.
As a condition for Bishop Serratelli’s approval to confirm 8th Grade students, the Bishop has insisted that every student must also be an active member of our Parish Youth Group, beginning in Grade 7.
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 us in a preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Our Parishes will again offer preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation of adults beginning in January 2020. These preparation sessions are for adults { age 18 & over} who are 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 the Sacrament will have an initial interview and then begin preparation to last for 10 sessions, and can then be confirmed during the Easter Season.
This Program is offered free of charge. The Program generally meets for sessions held at the convenience of the Candidates. The session topics center on the Sacrament of Confirmation and Church teaching.
If an adult is asked to serve as a godparent at a Baptism or to be a sponsor for a Confirmation candidate, they are required to have been confirmed.
Parishioners please pass this information on to your family, friends and neighbors.
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.
Patricia Hope and Alex Sousa, Co-Coordinators for the Adult Confirmation Program