St. Angela Merici Catholic Church has implemented a 2-year process to prepare candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation. In accordance with Archdiocesan guidelines, candidates who request Confirmation at St. Angela Merici must have at least one year prior preparation in Life Teen, CCE, or Catholic school and then complete a year of immediate preparation before receiving the sacrament. Age of Candidate: The ninth, tenth or eleventh grades (15-17 years) seem to be an appropriate age for the reception of the Sacrament. Setting an arbitrary, unbending age for Confirmation can be a disservice to those who are not yet able to make any kind of faith commitment. People do not mature and develop at the same rate. Not all young persons in a particular grade will be at the same stage in moral, faith or intellectual development. Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is most important. Extensive catechesis is necessary and distinct from the regular religious education programs. At least one school year is to be devoted to this special catechesis. (BL 3/2/87)

In general, the model is for your teen to begin Confirmation preparation in the 9th grade by attending our LIFE TEEN sessions. The immediate preparation classes would then be offered as part of LIFE TEEN in the 10th grade year, culminating with the candidates receiving the sacrament in the spring semester of their sophomore year. There are, of course, exceptions that we take into consideration on a case-by-case basis, such as those teens that are juniors or seniors and have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation. However, in every case and regardless of circumstances, full participation in the faith formation program (LIFE TEEN) is required.

 If your family is new to the parish and you have a teen who meets the requirements and will request this sacrament, we will need you to verify your teen's attendance in a faith formation program or Catholic school for the previous year before signing them up for immediate preparation. If they were NOT in faith formation the previous year, they will need to be registered for faith formation here in the parish, attend LIFE TEEN for one year and then would enter immediate prep in their second year of faith formation. 

If your teen would like to request this sacrament, please indicate on the registration form or contact the office. If you – or they – are unsure if they are ready to begin preparation for the sacrament, please call the Faith Formation Office to discuss options.
Note: Teens participating in sacramental prep for Confirmation will be asked to accomplish tasks outside of Life Teen and immediate prep classes, such as completing service hours and attending two (2) retreats during the preparation process (one each year).

All Confirmation students must submit a copy of the both their Baptismal Certificate & First Holy Communion Certificate OR the front and back of their updated Baptismal Certificate with their First Holy Communion recorded on the back. A copy of these Certificates must be turned in to the parish office  or by emailing it to [email protected] by the start of Sacramental preparation classes.