Sacrament of Confirmation

Our Parish Confirmation program is a formation process that centers on the interaction of students with people in their lives; their parents, sponsors, peers and the parish community. Based on guidelines of the Diocese of Harrisburg, candidates for the reception of Confirmation begin a preparation process in Grade 7, which culminates in the celebration of the sacrament in the spring of 8th Grade. It is our goal that the process brings in to clear focus the commitment needed to benefit from the graces available through this sacrament. Students will explore the power of the Holy Spirit in their own lives as well as in the life of our community. Parents, sponsors and catechists point the way to show God's presence. They also stand in prayer and example for these young people. Regular mass attendance, class attendance and participation in all formational activities leading up to the reception of the sacrament are of utmost importance.

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God's Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission.  Their prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.  The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John.  Jesus' entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and to the entire Church.  After his death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit.

Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world.  . . .  We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.