“Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-17.)
The prophets of the Old Testament foretold that God’s Spirit would rest upon the Messiah to sustain his mission. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus the Messiah was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus on the occasion of his baptism by John. Jesus’ entire mission occurred in communion with the Spirit. Before he died, Jesus promised that the Spirit would be given to the Apostles and to the entire Church. After his death, he was raised by the Father in the power of the Spirit.
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. . . . We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.
~from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
The Sacrament of Confirmation is related to Baptism and, with the reception of the Holy Eucharist, fully initiates an individual into the Catholic community. In Baptism we are united personally to Christ’s saving act. In Confirmation, we are united more fully to the Church and her mission. Thus, Baptism makes us a Christian; Confirmation makes us a witnessing Christian.
Confirmation gives a further outpouring of the Holy Spirit, confers the Isaiahan sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, and empowers one to live the Christian life more fully.
The rite of confirmation involves the laying on of hands, the anointing with chrism, and the words, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
GODPARENTS/SPONSORS: When selecting a godparent for Baptism or a sponsor for Confirmation, prayerful consideration should be given. The Godparent/sponsor is an individual who is to be a good role model to assist in the Catholic formation of the child. Both the one choosing and the one chosen should be aware of this privilege and responsibility.
The requirements for this church and, in fact, for all Catholic Churches, by virtue of Canon Law, to issue permission for someone to be a Godparent/sponsor are as follows: the person must 1) be a registered and participating member of the parish; 2) attend Mass regularly on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation; 3) observe the practices of Lent; 4) witness by words and actions one’s commitment to Jesus Christ; 5) be, at least, 16 years of age and have already received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist; 6) either single or, if married, have been married in accord with Catholic Church Law; and 7) not be the parents or stepparents of the one to be baptized or confirmed.
If someone is a member of this parish and is asked to be a Godparent or sponsor, that individual will need to pick up a form from the parish office and sign the form stating that he/she fulfills all the above requirements. After the form is signed, the priest will sign it and affix the parish seal.
Times and Dates
In the Diocese of Harrisburg, the Sacrament of Confirmation is administered to eighth-grade students. The date and time are determined by the Bishop’s office. The date, time, and minister are determined by the Bishop’s office. If you are an adult and have not yet been confirmed, please call the pastor for arrangements for the reception of this Sacrament.
It is desirable, but not necessary, that the godparent at Baptism be the sponsor at Confirmation. The sponsor need not be the same sex as the one being confirmed. Only one sponsor is used at Confirmation, not two sponsors. The sponsor needs to be a practicing Catholic.
For more information about the Sacrament of Confirmation
To become a Sponsor for the Sacrament of Confirmation, you need to complete and return a Certificate Form which you can download below:
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