Confirmation for high school aged teenagers is a component of our parish youth ministry. At St. Perpetua we prepare teens for Confirmation in accordance with Canon Law, guidelines established by the Diocese of Oakland in 2010 (reaffirmed in 2015), and our parish Catholic traditions. Teens that would like to prepare for Confirmation at St. Perpetua, have two options:: (1) Youth Group in year one, followed by formal Confirmation preparation the second year; or, (2) An intensive preparation completed in one year.
Preparation for this sacrament normally begins when the teen is a freshman in high school, with the anticipation that they will celebrate the sacrament during their sophomore year, as it is a two-year process. This two year process helps the teen easily meet the minimum requirements established by the diocese.
Confirmation Preparation Overview at St. Perpetua Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Perpetua focuses on five key elements in forming teens:
Knowledge of Faith: what we believe,
Sacraments and Liturgy: how we celebrate,
Moral Formation: how we live as Catholic Christians,
Relationship with God: how we pray,
Education for Community Life: how we live in society in response to our baptism
Confirmation Components Preparation for Confirmation at St. Perpetua has four integrated components. 1. Youth Group Gatherings 2. Formal Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Year 3. Liturgical Celebrations 4. Service
In Youth Group we use Saint Mary's Press "Live It!" series that shows teens how they can incorporate their faith into every moment—in conversations, actions, and most importantly, their hearts. In Confirmation we use the Dynamic Catholic Decision Point Confirmation preparation series that continues with a challenge to see Christ in everyone and to model Christ for everyone.
Confirmation Calendar - Completed + 1a - Tuesday, September 3, Confirmation Information Evening (1st of 3) + 1b - Wednesday, September 4, Confirmation Information Evening (2nd of 3) + 1c - Thursday, September 5, Confirmation Information Evening (3rd of 3) + 2 - Sunday, September 15, Welcome to Confirmation + 3 - Sunday, September 29, Life is Choices + 4 - Sunday, October 13, What's Holding You Back + 5 - Sunday, October 20, The Jesus Question + 6 - Sunday, November 3, The Prayer Process + 7 - Sunday, November 17, The Bible + 8 - Sunday, December 15, Celebrating What's Right with the World (rescheduled to March 15)
January Confirmation Gatherings + 9 - Sunday, January 12, Relationships + 10 - Sunday, January 26, The Eucharist February Confirmation Gatherings + Mass with Sponsors - My Personal Faith Packet received after 11:30 Mass + 11 - Sunday, February 9, The Holy Spirit + 12 - Sunday, February 23, The Church + 13 - Ash Wednesday, February 26, Liturgical Service
Confirmation Retreat + 14 - Saturday February 29 at St. Perpetua + 15 - Sunday, March 1, Safe Environment [at home, with parents]
March Confirmation Gathering + 16 - Sunday, March 15, Afternoon Faith - Celebrating What's Right with the World + 17 - Church Traditions
April Confirmation Gatherings + 18 - Sunday, April 5, Made For Mission + 19 - Thursday, April 9, Holy Thursday Liturgy + 20 - Sunday, April 26, Holiness is Possible / Intent
Late April / Early May TBD by Diocese + 21 - Friday, May 15, Rehearsal Dinner & DP 10, Confirmation + 22 - May 4th - 14th - Discernment Interviews + 23 - CONFIRMATION, 10:30am, VCathedral of Christ the Light
Consult the parish bulletin and Teens@StPerpetua regularly for date changes that may become necessary as the year progresses.
Teens Gathering Together To
Be Bold – Be Catholic – Be the Best Version of Yourself