Classes meet from 3:30pm to 5pm on Sundays
Generally, desiring and prepared students who are baptized, have made First Penance (Reconciliation/Confession) and First Holy Eucharist (Communion), receive the Sacrament of Confirmation during the eighth grade.
Program Entry Requirements:
Child must be baptized in the Catholic Church and have received their First Holy Eucharist
- A recent copy of their Baptismal form must be on file with the Religious Education Office
- A copy of your child's First Holy Eucharist certificate must be on file with the Religious Education Office
- Completed St. Dominic Catholic Church Religious Education Registration forms with payment
Sacrament of CONFIRMATION
This is a 2 year Sacramental Program preparing students for the reception of Confirmation. There will be a mandatory retreat, students must assist with a service ministry, pass an assessment exam, write a paper on their chosen Confirmation Saint , write a letter to our Pastor why they want to be confirmed, and then be interviewed by him.
Requirements for a Confirmation Sponsor:
Must be a Catholic of Good Standing; is at least 16 years old or older; received the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation; if married, must be married in the Catholic Church; attends Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation; cannot be parent of the student.
For Confirmation, there must only be ONE person as a Sponsor.
*The Confirmation Liturgy date is assigned by the Diocese of Colorado Springs per the Bishop's schedule. The Confirmation Mass is expected to be held in the Spring of 8th grade year*
Preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation
Baptism, the Holy 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.
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. – CCC 1285
Preparation for Confirmation involves a two-year period of reflection and deeper immersion into one’s relationship with Christ and the Church. Beginning in 7th grade, those interested in receiving the sacrament are asked to open themselves to more opportunities to explore their membership in the Church through study, Youth Ministry events, retreats & other Church Ministries and mentoring with parents, their sponsors, and their catechists and pastor. Conferring of the sacrament takes place in the 8th grade.
In order to be confirmed, a person must be able to renew their baptismal promises, participate regularly in the Celebration of the Eucharist, be free from serious sin, and present a reasonable indication of intention to live out the Catholic faith. Rather than a completion of tasks to “earn” the sacrament, Confirmation preparation activities and works are meant to provide the environment for one to examine their faith and lifestyle and come to the realization that receiving the sacrament of Confirmation is not an ending of a program or graduation from a course but is an experience of growth and commitment to one’s faith.
In the Rite of Confirmation, the Bishop (or a Priest who represents the Bishop) extends his hands over you and asks the Holy Spirit to come to you with seven special graces, or gifts: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder & awe.
Confirmation is NOT graduation from Religious Education: Students expected to become involved in other Church Ministries such as Youth Group, etc.
The Paradigm of all Faith Formation: Faith formation is an ongoing, life-long task of a Christian disciple. We are never finished!!! There is always deeper we can go in our relationship with Christ.