Updated: October 23, 2019

"Remember, then, that you received a spiritual seal, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit of holy fear. Keep safe what you received. God the Father sealed you, Christ the Lord strengthened you and sent the Spirit into your hearts as the pledge of what is to come."

- Saint Ambrose, Feast Day: December 7

Mass of Confirmation for Fall, 2020:  Date to be determined

Sacrament Preparation:

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the St. Catherine of Siena Religious Education program occurs over the course of all eight elementary years. Students are required to attend classes for at least the seventh and eighth grade years prior to Confirmation. Students must show mastery of material taught through the 6th grade curriculum before eligibility to enter into the 7th grade program. Students at St. Catherine of Siena parish are typically confirmed in the fall of the 9^th grade year.

If a student receives ongoing catechesis in a Catholic school program, Confirmation may occur in the fall of the 8th or the 9th grade year.

If your child has missed a sacrament, please contact us. We are happy to accommodate him or her, according to individual needs.  If one or both parents have not received a sacrament, or would like to learn more about the Catholic Faith, we are happy to help, also.

Confirmation Requirements:

Students enrolled in the religious education program who will enter high school in the fall of 2020 and have completed their formal (7^th and 8^th grade) catechesis are candidates for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the fall of that year.

Students enrolled in a Catholic school entering either 8th or 9th grade in the fall of 2020 are candidates for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the fall of that year.

Required Confirmation Paperwork: DUE DATE TBA

If paperwork is not received by the very firm due date, Confirmation will be delayed until the following fall.

 Required Confirmation paperwork due for all candidates (will not be accepted past the due date):

1. Confirmation Data Form
2. Baptismal Certificate 
3. Sponsor Eligibility Form (signed by the sponsor’s pastor, with the seal of the sponsor’s parish)

 Requirements for Confirmation usually completed in the 7^th Grade Year:

• (Practice) cumulative exam based on basic Catholic catechism to be given in the spring of both the 7^th and 8^th grade years.

• Copies of a brief study guide "Preparation for Confirmation" with catechism questions has been prepared by Bishop Burbidge's office and is available outside the Office of Religious Education and on this website.

• Also, a sample exam prepared by the Arlington Diocese Office of Faith Formation is available outside the Office of Religious Education.

• A summer service project based on the Works of Mercy, with one-paragraph written summary statement (to be completed in the summers following the 7^th and 8^th grade years). Paragraphs given to Director of Religious Education in September. Diocesan guidelines suggest that at least 20 hours of service should be performed altogether.

• Attendance at the Mass of Confirmation at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (at the beginning of the seventh or eighth grade year), and help with hosting the reception held immediately afterwards. The Confirmation candidate's own Confirmation Mass should not be the first one witnessed. If a Confirmation student is unable to attend this Confirmation Mass, the requirement must be fulfilled at another parish.

Requirements for Confirmation usually completed in the 8^th Grade Year:

• Saint Report

• Mastery of material (prior to Confirmation) on a cumulative exam based on basic Catholic catechism to be given in the spring of both the 7^th and 8^th grade years. Eighth grade students who do not show mastery of material should study further and re-take the exam over the summer, prior to the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

• Copies of a brief study guide "Preparation for Confirmation" with catechism questions has been prepared by Bishop Burbidge's office. Copies are available outside the Office of Religious Education and on this website.

• Also, a sample exam prepared by the Arlington Diocese Office of Faith Formation is available outside the Office of Religious Education.

• Summer service project based on the Works of Mercy, with written summary statement (both in the summers following the 7^th and 8^th grade years), due in September at the first Confirmation seminar class, or to be sent electronically to the Director of Religious Education. Diocesan guidelines suggest that at least 20 hours of service should be performed altogether.

• Interview with Confirmation sponsor and report write-up due at the first Confirmation seminar class.

• Scheduled individual interview with Father Pokorsky (Interviews will be scheduled beginning in May of 2020, and will continue through early fall, prior to Confirmation.)

• Participation in Confirmation seminar: September, 2020, Date TBA; 6:30-8:30pm

• Participation in Confirmation retreat: September, 2020, Date TBA; 8:30am-1:00pm

• Attendance by confirmandi and sponsor (or someone taking the place of the sponsor) at a rehearsal the evening before Confirmation; 7:00-8:00pm

CONFIRMATION EXAM DATES:

Specific dates in Spring, 2020 to be determined