2024/2025 Confirmation Prep

At Confirmation, the baptized become more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. They, as witnesses of Christ, are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. To be Confirmed means to make a “covenant” in an exchange of persons with God. In this covenant, we are given the fullness of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and their Fruits.

Throughout the season of sacramental prep, Confirmands will have the opportunity to complete spiritual and corporal works of mercy with their peers in collaboration with parish staff, Catholic charities, and other organizations. Students will also study the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Bible, and the Church’s theological and liturgical patrimony with a special focus on what the Holy Spirit will do for them in this sacrament. Confirmands will also participate in a one-day retreat including Mass, Reconciliation, prayer, and other spiritually edifying and fellowship-building activities.

Contact: AlexWallo at awallo@sta2.org

Calendar for 2024-2025 Confirmation Sacramental Prep

October 4, 2024

• Welcome, Introductions, & Information for Parents
• Catechetical Topic: Why Did God Create Me?
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel

October 18, 2024

• Catechetical Topic: The Reasonability of Our Faith
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel

November 2, 2024

• Spiritual Work of Mercy: Pray for the Dead: We will go on a pilgrimage to our St. Thomas Cemetery on All Souls Day. We will pray the Office for the Dead in the church at 5:00 p.m. for parishioners who passed away in the last year, as well as names written by parishioners in our Book of Remembrance. Then we will wind our way up the hill to the cemetery, where we will conclude with a Divine Mercy Chaplet.

November 15, 2024

• Catechetical Topic: The Story of Our Salvation and the Person of Jesus Christ 
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m.  in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel

December 20, 2024

• Catechetical Topic: The Mystery of Pentecost and the Church
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel

January 3, 2025

• Catechetical Topic: The Sacraments as the Holy Spirit’s Gateway into Christ 
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel

January 31, 2025

• Catechetical Topic: The Sacrament of Confirmation
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel

February 21, 2025

• Catechetical Topic: Pursuing the Life of Virtue 
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel
• Saint Bio Due

March 28, 2025

• Catechetical Topic: Pursuing the Life of Prayer
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel
• Letter to Bishop Due

April 11, 2025

• Catechetical Topic: Living Our Faith in a Broken World
• Catechesis: 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 252 across from the Parish Library
• Adoration: 6:30-7:00 p.m. in the Student Chapel

The Confirmation date has not yet been set by the Diocese. As soon as we know the 2025 Confirmation date, we will publish it. 

Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy Throughout the Year

10 Hours: Corporal Works of Mercy

• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Visit the imprisoned
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Bury the dead

10 Hours: Spiritual Works of Mercy

• Admonish the sinner (Give correction to those who need it)
• Instruct the ignorant (Share our knowledge of the faith with others)
• Counsel the doubtful (Give advice to those who need it)
• Comfort the sorrowful
• Bear wrongs patiently
• Forgive all injuries
• Pray for the living and the dead
• In addition to the traditional Spiritual Works of Mercy, these other spiritually enriching practices can count toward this category:
  • Visit a shrine 
  • Pray the Office of Readings 
  • Attend daily Mass
  • Eucharistic Adoration 
  • Bring Holy Communion to the homebound

4 Hours: Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy Completed as a Family