CONFIRMATION
Growing in our Catholic faith is a life-long journey. The process of preparing for Confirmation is based on the belief that adolescents are at a significant point in their lives where they are establishing their faith identity. It's a time when they go beyond their life as a child and begin to share and grow in their faith through and with others.
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive a special grace and power from the Holy Spirit and we are fully initiated in the Catholic Church.
The Confirmation preparation process at St. Bernardine is a two-year process beginning in 9th grade. Each candidate is required to participate in a number of ways: Participate in Sunday Mass every Sunday; participate in a liturgical ministry at Sunday Mass once a month; Attend weekly Youth Meetings, attend Sunday Faith Days, participate in two parish-based retreats, and perform assigned community service projects.
The Confirmation preparation process is a source of renewal for the whole parish community. It involves not only the candidate but the parents, sponsor, Ministry Coordinators, the peer ministry team, and of course, all our parish members.
Youth (High School) Confirmation 2023/2024
You must be in high school to participate. Confirmation preparation is a two-year process of active participation in the life of the parish through prayer (both private and gathered) and participation at Sunday Mass, and meetings in small groups. Weekly youth ministry meetings take place each Wednesday throughout the year. Each Confirmation candidate is required to attend any 10 Wednesday night youth sessions per year and the annual weekend retreat.
Sunday Confirmation sessions are scheduled from September through June each year and attendance is mandatory.
Orientation sessions for the Confirmation process are scheduled in September. The exact date of orientation is being determined.
Questions?
Contact: Alejandra Gasser at youthministry@stbernardine.org
Year 1 Confirmation Preparation Forms:
To complete the registration process you must complete and return the following fillable forms. You should complete the forms, save a copy and then e-mail them to Youth Ministry at youthministry@stbernardine.org. The fee for Year 1 is $150.
/media/1/YMBehavior%20Guidelines_Fillable2021_22.pdf
/media/1/YMHealth_and_Medical_Release_form_Fillable2021_22.pdf
/media/1/Yr_1_Parent_Committment_Fillable%202022_23_PDF.pdf
/media/1/Saint%20Name%20Form%20Fillable2021_22.pdf
/media/1/Sponsor%20Form%20Fillable2021_22.pdf
/media/1/YR1Commitment%20Form_PDF.pdf
/media/1/Sacrament%20Records%20Form_2022_23Fillable.pdf
/media/1/Y1%20Registration%20form_2022_23Fillable.pdf
Year Two Confirmation Preparation Process
You must Re-register if you are continuing from Year One to Year TWO.
To complete the registration process you must complete and return the following forms. They are fillable forms. You should complete the forms, save a copy, and then e-mail or bring them to the parish office. The fee for YEAR TWO is $150.
Confirmation Year 2 Forms:
/media/1/Y2_Re-Registration_Form_202223Fillable.pdf
/media/1/Parent%20Committment%20form22-23.pdf
/media/1/Yr%202%20Commitment%20Form%202022_23_PDF.pdf
Questions? Contact - Alejandra Gasser - 818 710 1662 or youthministry@stbernardine.org
ADULT CONFIRMATION
CHRISTIAN INITIATION AND ADULT FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM
(For adults over 18 who have been baptized, received 1st Eucharist and Reconciliation, but NOT Confirmation
The Adult Confirmation preparation process occurs once each year from January - April.
Registration for Adult Confirmation is closed for this year.
The next adult confirmation class will start in January 2024.
Contact
Questions? Please contact the Coordinator of Christian Initiation and Adult Faith Formation: Bob Nicholas at (818)340-2087 or email: bnicholas@stbernardine.org
Adult Confirmation Forms
/media/1/Sacraments/Adult%20Conf%202022%20Candidate%20InforPDF.pdf
/media/1/Sacraments/Adult%20Conf%20Fillable%20Sacramental%20Records%20Form%202022.pdf
/media/1/Sacraments/Adult%20Conf%20Fillable%20Sponsor%20Form%202022.pdf
/media/1/Sacraments/Adult%20Conf%20Fillable%20Saint%20Form%202022.pdf
The Choosing of a Confirmation Sponsor
Confirmation Candidates are to select a Confirmation Sponsor to serve as a mentor and guide as they live and grow in their Catholic faith both during and after their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Confirmation Sponsors must be fully initiated and practicing Catholics in good standing, follow the rules of the Church concerning marriage, be at least 18 years of age, and may NOT be a parent or guardian of the Candidate.
The Candidate should choose their Confirmation Sponsor, but parents should help advise them as they make their decision.
If a Confirmation Candidate has a close relationship with and admires the way one of their Godparents lives out their Catholic faith, a Godparent would be a great choice for a Confirmation Sponsor. Grandparents are also excellent sponsors.
A Confirmation Sponsor should be someone who is a …
- MODEL of how a person of faith lives in today's world as they seek to understand the Lord and the people of God.
- FRIEND who knows the candidate and can witness to the maturing faith of the Candidate before the community.
- MENTOR AND GUIDE, Confidant and Listener, who seeks to understand the Candidate's life and personal struggles.
- LEARNER who is interested in their own growth as they walk the faith journey with the Candidate.
- COMPANION who will continue to walk the faith journey with the Candidate after Confirmation and invite them into fuller participation in parish life and service.
Summary of Christian Beliefs
We are required to know and believe:
- That there is one supreme, eternal, infinite God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
- That the good will be rewarded by him forever in Heaven, and that the wicked who die unrepentant will be punished forever in Hell.
- That in the Holy Trinity there are three Persons, coeternal, coequal: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
- That the Second Person of the Holy Trinity became man and died on the Cross to save us.
- The tenets of the Apostle’s Creed.
- In the Commandments of God and of the Church.
- That the Seven Sacraments were instituted by Christ to give us grace; especially, that Baptism is necessary and that the Eucharist is a pledge of our future glory.
- That Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, which together form one sacred deposit of the Word of God, are entrusted to the Church.
- Whatever God teaches us by the Church, who in her teaching cannot deceive us or be deceived.
Spiritual Game Plan
Do you want to be a good Christian? The first of your battles will be to enter into and remain in the state of grace, to avoid any mortal sin. And, then, because you want to love God above all things, you will also try not to commit venial sins.
The practice of some acts of piety throughout the day will help you to have a divine contemplative life in the midst of the daily routine. The habitual performance of these acts will also be the foundation for growing in Christian virtues. Most important is to be consistent in your daily schedule, and in your spiritual game plan, so that you will live as a child of God.
Daily
- Get up at a fixed time, as early as possible. Eight hours of sleep should be enough. More than this and less than six hours of sleep is usually not healthy.
- Offer your day to God through the intercession of our Lady.
- Work with order and intensity during the day as a way of serving God. Set goals and establish priorities in order to develop a practical schedule. Sanctifying ordinary work is the goal of our life.
- Try to attend Mass, receiving Holy Communion, as often as possible. This is the best sacrifice that we can offer to God. Prepare yourself for Mass by spending some time in prayer.
- Spend some time in mental prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (fifteen minutes if possible).
- Pray the Rosary, if possible, with your family, offering each decade for a special intention.
- Do some other spiritual reading. Start with the New Testament or some well-known spiritual book. Ten to fifteen minutes is sufficient.
- Make a short examination of conscience at the end of the day before going to bed. Two or three minutes is enough. Follow these steps: Humble yourself in the presence of God. Tell him, “Lord if you will, you can make me clean.” Ask for light to acknowledge your defects and virtues and to see the dangers and opportunities of the day. Ask for repentance, amendment, and encouragement.
Weekly
- Center all activities around Holy Mass on Sunday, the Lord’s Day. It is also a family day—for rest and spiritual growth.
- Receive Holy Communion on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
- Saturday is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Honor her and say some special prayers, such as the Hail Holy Queen.
Monthly
- Go to Confession at least once a month. It is the sacrament of joy.
- Seek and follow the spiritual guidance of a wise, prudent, and knowledgeable priest.
- Spend a few hours in recollection best done before the Blessed Sacrament. Consider how you are directing your life toward God.
Always
- Stay in the presence of God: be aware that He is always close to you.
- Thank God for the graces that He constantly gives you.
- Do everything for the love of God: this is purity of attention.
- Try to live as you would like to die. We shall die as we have lived.
- Be Joyful!
For on him the Father, God, has set his seal. (John 6:27)
Registration for Confirmation Preparation classes will begin
August 7th, 2023
