Confirmation is much more than a rite of passage. Unfortunately, confirmation has just become another thing on the list to complete for Catholic young people. Many teens express no interest in participating in the confirmation process because they do not see it as being relevant to their lives. Parents have good intentions but often result in a "check the box" attitude towards their child completing confirmation. 

Our desire at St. Gabriel is to offer youth the opportunity to understand that they belong to a story - God's story. Our lives must be seen in the context of this story if we are going to have meaningful relationships and authentic purpose in life. Ultimately, we all desire happiness in life and God desires our happiness. If God created us and wants our happiness, then He knows us best and what will truly give us lasting happiness. Along the way in life we become distracted, confused, and separated from the God who loves us by our choices.

This year we desire for your teen to know and understand that they are CHOSEN by God and because they are chosen, they are invited to choose a relationship with God and His Church by presenting themselves at the end of the confirmation process to be confirmed.

When they open their hearts to this reality, the effects of confirmation become a reality in their lives when they are confirmed.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists five effects of this outpouring (see CCC 1303):

1. It affirms our identity as children of God (“divine filiation”).

2. It unites us more firmly to Christ.

3. It increases in us the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

4. It strengthens our bond with the Church.

5. It strengthens us to spread and defend the Faith by our words and actions, to be fearless witnesses to Christ and the power of the cross.
    

Confirmation is in no way intended to be the end of your teen's spiritual formation but rather the beginning of a deeper life in Christ.

The goal of the confirmation process is to offer your teen a powerful, life-changing experience as he or she prepares to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

It is our hope that this year will not only offer your teen a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Catholic Faith, but will also win over their heart at this critical time in their life. The process has been carefully designed to address and answer your teen’s fundamental questions about life, and to challenge him or her to embrace a life of faith.

Let’s face it—our world is full of distractions and detours that can easily set a young person on the wrong path. Nothing can take the place of a strong faith in God: not friends, money, or education. It is our faith that gives us our identity and our direction in life. The Church recognizes that you, as parents, are the primary educators of your children in matters of faith and morals—and this year offers you a unique opportunity to join your teen as he or she journeys through the Catholic faith by your witness, prayers, support and encouragement.

INFORMATION ON THE 2021-2022 PREPARATION PROCESS:

The confirmation process is intentionally designed for teens to not only learn content but more importantly to be relational. In the past, St. Gabriel provided the opportunity for youth to either participate in on-campus classes or off-campus small group instruction. While we understand the value of the previous model, we feel confident the new model will provide additional and important opportunites and experiences that will help prepare the the teens to receive confirmation.

1. The confirmation process will provide the opportunity for youth to be more connected to the parish. The parish is essential in the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is the place where communal worship takes place and a sense of belonging is created. The parish is where we receive the sacraments which sustain us in this life and prepares us for the next.

2. The confirmation process will provide opportunites for all youth who are journeying through the confirmation process to meet one another and create a sense of community with their peers. In addition, we want to foster the building of relationships between Catholic school students and non-Catholic school students. We are one body in Christ and it is important to have experiences to reflect this reality.

3. As youth begin to become more idependant from their parents in high school, it is important for them to have adult mentors who are living the Catholic faith and who can support parents in their role as primary educators of faith. Statistics show that young people desire meaningful relationships with other adults. The confirmation process will incorporate small groups, which will be led by two adult leaders per small group.

4. The confirmation process will provide an environment that is engaging, relevant, relational and life-changing through music, games, messages, and small group meetings at the parish and in homes.

5. The confirmation process incorporates a weekend retreat for all candidates and their small group leaders. The weekend retreat is the "mountain-top" experience, which will provide an encounter with Jesus Christ and brings our Catholic faith alive as a community of faith.

6. The confirmation process recognizes the demand of family and student life, which is why we wil meet twice-a-month. This eliminates the weekly commitment many other programs require but still provides an experience that will prepare the teens for the sacrament of confirmation and to be life-long disciples of Jesus Christ.

7. The confirmation process incorporates the format of sessions rather than the traditional classroom model for confirmation used in the past. The sessions are primarily a large group format with a small group component.

8. The confirmation process incorporates four small group home gatherings and one small group service project to be completed in the spring semester. These gatherings provide a more intimate setting to help foster community building like the first disciples of Jesus. It also provides parents an opportunity to host and experience the confirmation process first-hand in their home.

Families must be registered parishioners of St. Gabriel Catholic Church to participate.  

Current 9th grade students are eligible if they have been:

Current 9th through 12 grade students who need to receive all of the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation) need to contact Lauren Piercefield here.

Submit copy of baptismal certificate here

There are no fees associated with Confirmation preparation except for the retreat expense.

At the time of completion of the liability form for the retreat, a $200 fee will be required. Please contact Lauren Piercefield if you need financial consideration.

Sessions willl be held on Sundays, 3:00 - 4:30 pm in the St. Gabriel School Cafeteria

• Teens will be part of a small group. Each small group will have 2 adult core members who have completed all diocesan Volunteer Forms and are up-to-date on Protecting God’s Children (Virtus)

Attendance: Candidates must attend all sessions. In the case of illness or unforeseeable conflict, two absences will be allowed with make-up work completed.

The curriculum used for each session is taken from Chosen: Your Journey Towards Confirmation by Ascension. All video and workbook content is available for online access for parents and students.

Click on button to View Schedule/Calendar: Confirmation Schedule

Small Group Leaders are needed!   Contact Adrian Quintero here for details.

Volunteers must be up-to-date on Safe Environment and Protecting God's Childrens paperwork and training.

Who can be a sponsor?   A sponsor must be a faithful, practicing, confirmed, and mature Catholic, who is at least 16 years of age, and is in good standing with the Church.  According to Canon Law, parents cannot serve as a sponsor for their child. 

Need help choosing a sponsor?   Candidates may use this online worksheet to assist them in identifying an individual that meets the above requirements and would be a good choice as a spiritual mentor who is willing to share his/her faith.

Diocesan Sponsor Suitability Form for Confirmation:  Due January 15

Each candidate must complete a 250 to 300 word reflection paper on the life of a saint. Traditionally, the candidate takes the name of the saint for their confirmation name. This name is used by the bishop during the Rite of Confirmation.

PLEASE USE THIS ONLINE FORM for more information and to submit your reflection paper.

Due January 15, 2022.

Each candidate is asked to participate in three service opportunities during the course of the confirmation process. One of the three service projects will be completed as a small group, which is coordinated by the Small Group Leader. Service to others is an integral part of our call to live out our Catholic faith.

Pray and reflect on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy to help you determine the types of service you are being called to be active in. Remember, service comes in many different forms and is less about you and more about Christ and our neighbor. For practical ways to live out the Works of Mercy, click here.

Please complete the online Works of Mercy Form for ONE service opportunity you participate in.

Online Works of Mercy Form

Each candidate is required to attend the weekend retreat: Friday, Feb. 11 to Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022.

For additional information and to register for the retreat, please click here.  The cost for the retreat is $200.

The retreat is an important component of the confirmation process and a highlight for the youth, giving them an opportunity to follow the example of the Apostles (Acts 2:42). Check out the video of last year's retreat!

MASS:  The Mass dates are determined by the Diocese of Charlotte.

More details will be provided when we receive our assigned dates.

REHEARSAL/EVENING OF REFLECTION:  Candidates will be assigned to ONE REHEARSAL DATE based on which Confirmation Mass they will be attending.  Parents and sponsors are required to attend the rehearsal/evening of reflection with candidates. 

Ministry Center/Church
6:00 to 9:00 pm
Rehearsal I: Thursday, May 12  
or
Rehearsal II: Friday, May 13

These dates are tentatively scheduled.