Parent Information:

Parents are vitally important to the Confirmation prep process. Prep in a parish setting serves to support the parent as the primary source of catechesis for a confirmation candidate. As such, we encourage parents to get involved on the Confirmation Core Team, and especially by volunteering as a chaperon and catechist on the Confirmation Retreat. 

 

For Confirmation Core Team Opportunities please contact us via the form below:

 

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Role of the Confirmation Parent

 

Parents are the primary catechists (teachers) of their children’s faith. They should absolutely be involved in the Confirmation Program and, more importantly, actively engaged in helping their child prepare for Confirmation at home. Parents are expected to sign the parent covenant form (included in this packet) and commit to the following to the best of your ability:

 

1. Attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of obligation as a family/ with your candidate.

2. Pray daily as a family/with your candidate.

3. Encourage your family/candidate to take advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and consider making a point to go to Reconciliation as a family.

 

Additional suggestions for parent engagement can be found in the SVdP Confirmation Parent guide available at svdpaustinyouth.com/confirmation.

 

The St. Vincent de Paul Confirmation program relies completely on volunteers to make it possible. With that in mind, all parents are asked to consider where their talents and time can be utilized to make our Confirmation Program the best!  All parent volunteers must be EIM compliant. Parents, Godparents, sponsors, and other volunteers are needed for the following roles:

 

1. Confirmation Core Team – Lesson catechists who will facilitate small group discussions on Super Sundays.

2. Confirmation Retreat Team –

   1. Core Team and Chaperons who will help plan and facilitate the retreat experience.

   2. Meal Team Captains and members who will provide meals for the candidates and retreat team while on retreat.

3. Confirmation Liturgy Team – Volunteers who will work with SVdP Sacristans, the Director of Music, and Faith Formation staff to plan and facilitate the Confirmation Liturgy and reception.

 

Role of the Confirmation Sponsor

 

The sponsor’s function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the duties inherent in this sacrament. Sponsors are encouraged to use the sponsor & parent manual available online at svdpaustinyouth.com/confirmation.

 

A sponsor is:

1. A role model; a person who fully embraces and lives the Catholic faith fully together with full participation in their local Catholic Church.

2. A mentor, someone to help guide and encourage the Candidate.  Walking side by side as the Candidate seeks to respond to God’s call.

3. A trusted adult, who is willing to stand with the Candidate not only during a ceremony, but throughout life’s journey.

 

Code of Canon Law # 893 states:

“... a person who would undertake the office of sponsor must fulfill the conditions mentioned in Can. 874 and that it is desirable that the sponsor chosen be the one who undertook this role at baptism.”

 

Canon # 874 states:

“To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

1. Be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or minister. To be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;

2. Not be less than 16 years of age;

3. Be a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and a person who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken; (Must attend Sunday liturgy every week, be in a valid marriage if married.)

4. Not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared; (Must be in a state of Grace.)

5. Not be either the father or mother of the person to be confirmed.”

 

In addition, Sponsors are asked to:

1. Pray for and with the candidate.

2. Actively participate in the process, helping and discussing the Sponsor Manual activities, while sharing their faith with their Candidate.

3. Attend the Confirmation Rehearsal before Confirmation, and attend the Confirmation ceremony.