Confirmation 2023
Thank you to all parishes who have submitted the responses for the Confirmation Mass Schedule 2023. We are working on finalizing the schedule. Notification to parishes of the final schedule will be sent by email.
The final schedule will be posted here.
Confirmation FAQ's
(last update October 2022)
Where can I learn more about the sacrament of Confirmation?
If you scroll down we have some links with some basic information. We encourage you to reach out to the parish that is closest to where you live. Find a parish by visiting our Parish section
Will there be visits of the Confirmation Candidates to the Cathedrale with Archbishop Albert LeGatt?
Yes, we are planning to schedule visits in person with Archbishop Albert a the Cathedrale. Information will be sent from the Office of Catechetics & Adult Faith Growth to the parishes as we plan the schedule.
Are there preparation requirements for Candidates?
Yes, please refer to the Archdiocesan Catechetical Policy for details. Candidates for the sacrament of Confirmation must be baptized in the Catholic faith. If you or your child is baptized in another faith, or not baptized, there is a different process for your faith journey and to be received fully into the Catholic Christian faith. Adults visit our Becoming Catholic section of the website.
More FAQ's to be added. check back here!
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
From 2014 Pope Francis
From The Religion Teacher: What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit? Where do these gifts come from? What is the meaning of the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Click here for an article from Catholic Link that shares saint quotes about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Gifts are given, Fruits as evidence, Charisms for the building up one another! Learn more from Chris Bray, a Catholic speaker, and musician. https://www.chrisbraymusic.com/
Seven Corporal & Seven Spiritual Acts/Works of Mercy
CCCB Office of Evangelization & Catechesis:
Corporal Acts/Works of Mercy Ages 6-8
Corporal Acts/Works of Mercy Ages 9-11
Resources Acts/Works of Mercy
Loyola Press provides us with links during the Year of Mercy.
Pope Francis declared an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. This Holy Year of Mercy began December 8, 2015, the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. It closed November 20, 2016, the Feast of Christ the King. The motto was “Merciful Like the Father.”
Sometimes, when we think of the word mercy, we picture someone throwing themselves on their knees before a villain, pleading to be spared some punishment. This is not our understanding of God’s mercy. We do not ask for God’s mercy because we are afraid of incurring his wrath as punishment for our sins. Rather, when we call on God to have mercy, we are calling on God in the only way we know him—as one who responds with compassion to those in need. When we show mercy to others, we are responding as God responds, with compassion.
Mercy BLMs (School Aged Candidates)
RedemptoristTV (Adults, older Candidates):
The Seven Corporal Acts/Works of Mercy Playlist (YouTube)
The Seven Spiritual Acts/Works fo Mercy Playlist (YouTube)
How to Remember the Works of Mercy (Adults, older Candidates) from the Archdiocese of Kansas City:
Corporal Acts/Works "THIS HaND" Flyer
Spiritual Acts/Works "Be PACIFiC" Flyer
Acts/Works of Mercy Videos
Sacraments
Quotes in bold under the sacrament headers are from YouCat.
In order to allow teenagers and young adults in particular to gain easier access to the knowledge of the faith of the Catholic Church, in the years from 2006 to 2011 the YOUCAT emerged from the great \'CCC\' and the \'Compendium\'. This book also has been written in a question and answer format. To check out an interactive site and learn more about YouCat click on the image beside.
To see the book in Google docs Click Here
Baptism
“Baptism is the way out of the kingdom of death into life, the gateway to the Church, and the beginning of a lasting communion with God.“ -YouCat 194
“Being baptized means that my personal life story is submerged into the stream of God’s love.” -YouCat 200
Parents of infants or children requesting baptism have a recommended Baptism program to assist them in preparing for this very special time. The program was developed within the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface and is available in French and in English. The leader's guide and participant's guides are available by email from the Archdiocesan Service of Catechetics. Parish catechists/facilitators of this baptism program may request a certificate to present to each parent after participation at all sessions by contacting the Archdiocesan Service of Catechetics.
The Archdiocesan Baptism Preparation Program is available by contacting the Service of Catechetics (French is available as well).
Confirmation
“In Confirmation, the soul of a baptized Christian is imprinted with a permanent seal that can be received only once and marks this individual forever as a Christian. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the strength from above in which this individual puts the grace of his baptism into practice through his life and acts as a ‘witness’ for Christ.” -YouCat 205
Confirmation preparation takes place in your home parish, which is usually the geographical parish (the parish closest to where you live). Young people requesting the sacrament of Confirmation must be in an ongoing catechism program and participate in immediate preparation sessions (specific to the sacrament of Confirmation). Parents participate in sessions specific to the basics of the faith and the sacrament provided by the parish. Please contact your local parish for dates and details and refer to the Archdiocesan Catechetical Policy.
Decision Point from Dynamic Catholic may be found online. The first video of the Confirmation preparation series can be viewed below. An app is available for your convenience.
Other programs may be used in consultation with the Archdiocesan Office of Catechesis.
Eucharist (Holy Communion)
“Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament in which Jesus gives His Body and Blood – Himself – for us, so that we too might give ourselves to him in love and be united with him in Holy Communion. …the Eucharist is the mysterious center of all these sacraments because the historic sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross is made present during the words of consecration in a hidden, unbloody manner.” -YouCat 208
“Every Holy Communion unites me more deeply with Christ, makes me a living member of the body of Christ, renews the graces that I received in Baptism and Confirmation, and fortifies me in the battle against sin.” -YouCat 221
First Communion (Eucharist) preparation takes place in your home parish, which is usually the geographical parish (the parish closest to where you live). Children requesting the sacrament must be in an ongoing catechism program and participate in immediate preparation sessions (specific to the sacrament of Holy Eucharist). Parents participate in sessions specific to the basics of the faith and the sacrament provided by the parish. Please contact your local parish for dates and details and refer to the Archdiocesan Catechetical Policy.
For parishes approved on Restored Order of Sacraments of Initiation, please contact the Diocesan Service of Catechetics directly for recommendations.
Recommended immediate preparation programs are:
We Share in the Eucharist (Novalis) is available for purchase locally through Christian Supply Centre or Stephanchew's Church Goods.
Blessed from Dynamic Catholic may be found online.
The first video of the Eucharist/Communion preparation series may be viewed below.
Session 1 Episode 1: Keep Counting Your Blessings!
Penance (Reconciliation/Confession)
“Penance is making restitution or satisfaction for a wrong that has been committed. Penance must not take place exclusively in my head; I must express it in acts of charity and in solidarity with others. One does penance also by praying, fasting, and supporting the poor spiritually and materially. [1434–1439]
Penance is often misunderstood. It has nothing to do with low self-esteem or scrupulosity. Penance is not brooding over what a bad person I am. Penance frees and encourages us to make a new start” - YouCat 221
First Penance (Reconciliation/Confession) preparation takes place in your home parish, which is usually the geographical parish (the parish closest to where you live). Children requesting the sacrament must be in an ongoing catechism program and participate in immediate preparation sessions (specific to the sacrament of Holy Eucharist). Parents participate in sessions specific to the basics of the faith and the sacrament provided by the parish. Please contact your local parish for dates and details and refer to the Archdiocesan Catechetical Policy.
Recommended immediate preparation programs are:
We Prepare for Reconciliation (Novalis) is available for purchase locally through Christian Supply Centre or Stephanchew's Church Goods.
Blessed from Dynamic Catholic may be found online.
The first video of the Reconciliation/Confession preparation series may be viewed below.
Session 1, Episode 1 You are Blessed!
Holy Orders, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick
Click here to go to Ascension Press's list of Sacraments videos, articles, and podcasts
Click here to go to the full list of Sacraments videos from Busted Halo
Archdiocesan Catechetical Policy & Safe Environment
Please also familiarize yourself with the Archdiocesan Catechetical Policy & Safe Environments.
Click here to view the Archdiocesan Catechetical Policy.
Click here to go to the Archdiocesan Safe Environment section.
Parent Sessions
The sessions for parents requesting sacraments for their child are available from the Service of Catechetics. Please email or call the Archdiocesan coordinator.
Special Needs
Resources for special needs and circumstances are available. Click here for contact information for the coordinator, Office of Catechetic and Adult Faith Growth.
There are a variety of methods and materials for your family or parish to use.
Click Here for articles from the Vatican and special needs stories from catechists.
Loyola Press offers many useful resources for children with autism and other special needs, such as
- videos from experts and practitioners in the field of disabilities
- helpful articles on teaching and parenting children
- tools for catechists, and those in ministry working with children with special needs
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a method that is accessible to many diverse needs. Click here to visit the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Association of Canada.
Watch the video below to understand more about The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
For children with special needs, the development of speech, language, social, and emotional skills are enhanced through the use of sign language. Click here for Loyola Press's American Sign Language Prayers webpage.
How to Sign the Sign of the Cross
There are numerous resources available please contact the Archdiocesan Service of Catechetics so we may assist you within your parish community.
Catechetics
