Confirmation

Dear Parents and Carers,

We welcome children and their families to our program for the Sacrament of Confirmation:

• Year 6 St Columba's students
• External candidates undertaking their preparation at another school
• Children participating in the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP)

St Columba's Parish candidates will be prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation, including the teaching of the Religious Education curriculum. Content covers:

• God created people with a body and soul
• Jesus promised the Holy Spirit
• The gift of the Holy Spirit
• Celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation
• The fruits of the Holy Spirit strengthens people to live like Jesus
• Every Sunday is a new Pentecost

We look forward to sharing this important faith journey with you.

Father Nino

Parish Priest

• Year 6 Teachers
• Assistant Principal - Jesse Yock
• Catechist Coordinator - Helen Sisto

• All children receiving the Sacraments must attend the Enrolment Mass with a parent.
• Sacramental enrolment forms are handed into classroom teachers no later than one week before the Enrolment Mass.
• PREP children and external candidates hand the Enrolment Mass forms into the Catechist Coordinator.

• One parent from each family to attend.
• Runs for approximately one hour.
• At the Church.

• Select a sponsor who is a Catholic, has been confirmed and is 16 years or older.
• Fill in the Confirmation card and return by the Parent Information Evening.

• Facilitated by 24:7 Ministry.
• Held in St Columba's Kalyara Mia (undercover area) within school hours from 9 am to 3 pm.
• PREP children and external candidates to be dropped off and picked up at St Columba's front office.
• Children wear sports uniform, including hat.
• Bring morning tea, lunch and drink bottle.

• All school candidates have Reconciliation at school before the Mass.
• PREP children and external candidates will need to go to Reconciliation with their families.

• Reflects the importance of the ceremony and should not take away from its meaning.
• Smart casual is appropriate.

• Children receive Confirmation with their sponsors.
• Candidates line up two at a time in the centre aisle near the front pews, with their sponsor behind them. As a child leaves to be anointed, the child behind stands up with their sponsor and waits at the front for their turn.
• Candidates come forward one at a time with their sponsor.
• The sponsor carries the child’s Confirmation card in their right hand and pass it to the acolyte on the right. The sponsor then places their right hand on the child’s right shoulder.
• The child announces their Saint’s name to the priest.
• The priest says: Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• The child is anointed on the forehead with the Chrism.
• The child answers: Amen.
• The priest says: Peace be with you.
• The child answers: And with your spirit.

• Certificates are presented to candidates at the end of Mass.
• These certificates are valuable documents. Please keep them in a safe place as the school cannot re-print copies.