Confirmation is a Catholic Sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. It is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation for Catholics. It is most often associated with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.  (CCC 1319)

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For adult Confirmation, please contact our parish office at 410 398 1100 to schedule an appointment with a priest. Adult Confirmation is held annually on Pentecost Sunday at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Wilmington.

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Our parish Confirmation program is for students in grades 9 through 12. Registration begins in March and ends April 30th. The orientation meetings for candidates and parents is May 9, 2012. Orientation for candidates and sponsors is in October.

The ten-week sacramental preparation sessions begin in mid January with the sacramental celebration in the Spring.

Important dates for the 2012-13 program year are as follows:

April 30            Registration ends for Confirmation in the Spring of 2013
May 9, 2012     Orientation meeting for Parents and Candidates, 7 PM  ICS cafeteria
September 30   Orientation meeting for Candidates and Sponsors, 4 PM ICS cafeteria
November         Scavenger Hunt for Outreach (explained at May 9th orientation)
Fall 2012           Confirmation retreat (date and location TBA)

Our Confirmation date will be announced by the bishop’s office during the summer. Rehearsal will be the preceding Sunday if Confirmation is on a week night. Rehearsal will be the preceding evening if Confirmation is on a weekend.

The Confirmation program is integrated into the total Youth Ministry program of the parish. The candidates meet weekly in private homes or parish meeting rooms. Candidates participate in our annual scavenger hunt for Outreach in November as well as other service opportunities. Candidates also attend a Confirmation retreat and participate in a sponsor mentoring program.

Who can be a sponsor? Candidates are encouraged to choose a sponsor who models how to live a life that reflects Jesus’ teachings. According to canon 874 of the Code of Canon Law, a sponsor for a Catholic confirmation must be a Catholic who:

• is at least 16 years of age
• has been confirmed and has received the sacrament of Holy Eucharist
• leads a life of faith in keeping with the role to be undertaken
• is eligible to recieve the sacraments and is not bound by any ecclesiastical penalty
• is not the mother or father of the candidate.

Please note: Our diocese requires students who wish to receive a sacrament to attend a Catholic school or parish religious education program the year they receive the sacrament as well as the previous year. This is in addition to, and separate from, the Confirmation program. Please see our Faith Formation page for 9-12 grade.

Remember to visit NEWS on this website to keep up-to-date with calendar reminders, weather related cancelations, service opportunities and special events. Click here to see photos of Confirmation in 2012.

Please remember to visit our Grade 9-12 Youth Ministry page.

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Growing in friendship with Christ necessarily means recognizing the importance of joyful participation in the life of your parishes, communities and movements, as well as the celebration of Sunday Mass, frequent reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation, and the cultivation of personal prayer and meditation on God’s word.
(World Youth Day homily, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI

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…and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well.   2 Timothy 2:2

Parents and guardians, is God calling you to become a part of this important ministry to pass along our Catholic faith to our children? Please consider sharing your time and talent by volunteering as a Catechist or Assistant for our Confirmation program. All resources are provided. No prior experience is necessary.

Call our Religion office at 410 392 3551 or email Ruthie Patterson to learn how you can enrich the faith lives of our youth as well as your own.

“Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” – Unknown

This [blessing] provides an opportunity to give thanks, affirmation, and blessing to your mother. Since time passes so quickly, accept this invitation to bless your mother this year.

Be sure to check out this FREE website!

This interactive resource is designed to give you unlimited access to easy-to-use tools, tips, family activities, blogs, forums, and advice–everything you need to build a stronger, more faith-focused family.

All of the faith-forming activities are written with a specific audience in mind such as Young Family or Teen Family or Adult/Couple, but many activities are perfectly appropriate for individuals and families of all ages and stages. See [this link] to learn more.

So many people come to our Outreach food pantry. In March 2012 we gave food to 171 families, including 304 children and 383 adults.

One of our customers is a senior citizen living alone on a fixed income. She has no family members to help her, so she comes to us.

One family had to move in with another whole family just to keep from being homeless. They have 13 people sharing one apartment, and they come to us for help.

Can you help us help them?

Our pantry is in desperate need of the following items:

• mac & cheese
• baked beans
• soup
• instant potatoes
• rice a roni
• fruit
• cereal
• pasta