Confirmation
Children in High School, of Year 9, will be invited to make there Confirmation.
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You are invited to register your child a place on this program, and this important milestone.
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For Adults wishing to join the Church and make there Confirmation, please contact the Parish Office.
Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, often considered a sacrament of initiation, alongside Baptism and the Eucharist. It is usually administered to adolescents, though the age can vary depending on the diocese, typically between the ages of 12 and 18. During Confirmation, the individual receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which strengthens their Christian faith and commitment to the Church.
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The sacrament involves several key elements:
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Preparation: Candidates often undergo a period of instruction, learning about their faith, the significance of the sacrament, and how to live a Christian life.
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Rite of Confirmation: During the ceremony, usually held within a Mass, the bishop or a delegated priest anoints the candidate with chrism (a consecrated oil) on the forehead while saying, "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit." This anointing signifies the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
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Renewal of Baptismal Promises: The candidates renew the vows made on their behalf during Baptism, reaffirming their faith and commitment to the Church.
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Laying on of Hands: The bishop extends his hands over the candidates, invoking the Holy Spirit to come upon them.
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Confirmation deepens the grace received at Baptism, empowering the individual to live out their faith more fully and to be active witnesses to Christ in the world. It also strengthens their bond with the Church community. This sacrament marks a person's mature commitment to their faith and their readiness to take on a more active role in the life of the Church.
What to Expect during the Confirmation Programme
Classes will take place at Our Ladys Parish Centre
Confirmation Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea one Evening Shared with the Bishop
Confirmation classes prepare individuals, typically adolescents, for the sacrament of confirmation by deepening their understanding of Christianity and their personal faith commitment.
The bishop presides, and the mass includes readings from the Bible, prayers, and hymns. During the rite of confirmation, each confirmand is presented to the bishop, who lays hands on them and anoints them with chrism (holy oil), invoking the Holy Spirit to strengthen their faith. The confirmands then receive a blessing, and the mass concludes with the Eucharist, allowing the newly confirmed to partake fully in the sacrament of communion.
