Confirmation

"Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the 'sacraments of Christian initiation,' whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that 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.'"
-- Catechism of the Catholic Church #1285

Did you know that 80% of Catholic young adults are unconfirmed? For many college students and young adults, the confirmation program was offered when they were in high school when after-school sports, jobs or other extra-curricular activities made attendance in programs difficult. Are you a young adult, out of high school and interested in growing in understanding of the Catholic faith?

The Newman Center, Catholic Community at UCSD will offer a program of preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation during Winter and Spring Quarters on Monday nights at Good Samaritan. This program is for persons baptized Catholic who have received First Communion. If one needs both First Holy Communion and Confirmation, they should contact Patty Stewart @ p2stewart@ucsd.edu.

Note that while many Confirmation programs last a year or two, this program is condensed into a format that fits the busy lives of college students and young adults. Because of its brevity, attendance is compulsory. Those who must miss more than one session will be invited to consider taking part in the program in a following year when their schedule makes regular attendance possible.

• The program will begin in January with an orientation and run through Easter. Sessions meet on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (except holidays). A one-day retreat will be part of the process; details will be provided at the January orientation.
• Sessions are facilitated by team members: Patty Stewart and others. Sessions are interactive following a presentation. Reading assignments are part of the process. (The reading is essential but not excessive.)
• The Confirmation liturgy will take place during the Easter Vigil, March 30, at 10:00 p.m.

Here are some things you can do to get started:

• Read the flyer.
• Obtain a new copy of your baptismal certificate from the church where you were baptized and bring it with you to the first class. (If you were baptized in another country, a copy of your original baptismal certificate will be sufficient.)
• Invite a Catholic whom you admire, and who has already been confirmed, to be your Confirmation sponsor. It is best to choose someone who is able to attend the sessions with you. If you do not know someone to be your sponsor the team will work with you to choose a community member.
• Enroll in program and schedule an inerview at the Ministry Fair, October 7 and 14.

Please contact Patty Stewart, Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation and Administration, at p2stewart@ucsd.edu if you have further questions and to schedule an interview.

Please note: If you do not have transportation to Good Samaritan every effort will be made to arrange rides amongst other participants and sponsors.