Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit." Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.

Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:

• it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba!, Father!";
• it unites us more firmly to Christ;
• it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
• it renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
• it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

The ninth grade is the normal time for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. There is an intensive two-year preparation period which is in addition to the normal religious instruction for teens in this age group.

CONFIRMATION NEWS

We remind you that we have a two-year preparation process for Confirmation. Candidates are required to either participate in both Confirmation 1 and 2 or attend 8th grade in a Catholic School and then participate in Confirmation 2. For more information, please call Sr. Tere Gallarreta, rmi, at 833-1278 and/or visit the Youth and Family Ministry section of our website.