Confirmation
The sacrament of Confirmation is, at its heart, a powerful deepening of your faith—a moment where you take on, in a real and personal way, the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It builds on your Baptism, strengthening and sealing your bond with God, and empowers you to live as a fully committed Christian. Through the laying on of hands and anointing with sacred chrism by the bishop, the Holy Spirit is invoked to fill you with divine grace. Confirmation marks you with a permanent spiritual sign that says you belong to Christ, and it brings you into a deeper communion with the Church, making you a witness to your faith in a unique way. In a sense, it’s a moment of spiritual "coming of age," a time when you’re called to step into your faith with more maturity and purpose.
The benefits of Confirmation are both immense and personal. Receiving the Holy Spirit’s gifts—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord—changes you from within. These gifts aren’t just lofty ideas; they’re practical tools to help you face life with courage, to make wise decisions, and to live with integrity. Confirmation empowers you to live your faith boldly, to share it confidently, and to stand firm in it, even when it’s challenging. It strengthens your connection to the Church, too, rooting you in a community that prays with you and for you. In the midst of life’s challenges, the grace of Confirmation helps you to live as a light in the world, reflecting God’s love in all that you do.
Preparing for Confirmation is a beautiful journey in itself. Start by spending time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to help you open your heart fully. Consider what it means to take this step—to become a stronger witness of your faith—and ask for the courage to embrace it. Reading Scripture, especially passages about the Holy Spirit’s work, can help you understand what you’re about to receive. Spend time with your sponsor, if you have one, talking about their own experiences with faith, and ask them to pray with and for you. And finally, make time for an examination of conscience and go to confession; approaching Confirmation with a pure heart opens you to receive all the graces God wants to give you.
Registering is easy just e-mail or call the church on the details at the foot of this page or on the contacts page to say hello and let us know of you or your child’s interest. Our next visit from the Bishop is likely to be in 2025. We will publish a date when we have one, until then please let us know your interest so we can add you and/or your child to our list.
Above all, remember that Confirmation is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of a new chapter. As you prepare, remind yourself that this sacrament is about God equipping you for the road ahead, giving you strength to serve, to love, and to live with purpose. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to seek guidance, and to trust that this sacrament is about a relationship—your relationship with God. You are never alone in this journey, and Confirmation is a profound reminder of that. It’s an invitation to live more fully in the light of faith, knowing that the Holy Spirit is with you, guiding you, and empowering you every step of the way.
