Faith Formation Program at 1991 Overlook Dr, Winter Haven, FL 34759 US - SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

Sacramental catechesis for Confirmation is a process of conversion.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the preparation “should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit.

The purpose of The Spirit Sets Us Free is to both form and transform the young person in these saving realities by integrating liturgical prayer and catechesis in the midst of the parish community.

The program involves the candidates, catechist, family sponsor, and the entire church in the young person’s journey of faith.

Requirements: 

1. Your child must be baptized. The Faith Formation Office must verify Baptismal Certificates.
2. Sponsors and Candidates preparing for Confirmation must attend 5 sacramental preparation classes. Attendance of candidates and sponsors is required during these five sessions. Please refer to the calendar for days and time.
3. All confirmation candidates must attend the Confirmation Retreat, Confirmation Dinner and Confirmation Rehearsal. Please refer to the calendar for more details. 
4. The candidates will select a sponsor. The sponsor must be at least 16 years of age, have made his/her Confirmation, and be a practicing Catholic. Parents cannot be sponsors for their child. 

    Downloadable Forms:

• REGISTRATION FORM 2010
• SPONSOR STATEMENT: A statement from the sponsor’s parish testifying to the fact that the sponsor is a practicing Catholic must accompany this completed form.  If your sponsor is a member of Saint Matthew parish, no statement is required.
  

Choosing A Confirmation Name

Choosing a Confirmation name. A name identifies you in a unique way, not just your physical self, but who you are as person. One of the traditional practices in the Church at the time of Confirmation is choosing a name that will remind you of this sacrament. Your prayerful reflection will help you determine that name. You might want to recommit yourself to your Baptismal name since it expresses the relationship that exists between these two sacraments, especially after you reflect on its meaning and discover some of the people who shared your name in Christian history. You might want to choose the name of a saint who represents the type of Christian you wish to be. It is important to learn as much as you can about your patron saint. After all, you are asking this saint to be your friend and advocate for the rest of your life. Whether you decide to stay with your Baptismal name or pick a new name, take the time to research and explore the root meaning of the name, for as Scripture says "Yahweh calls each of us by name."

The name you choose should represent the direction you feel your faith life is taking, or represent a strength or attribute you feel you need. It is important and necessary to know a lot about the saint before you decide on that name. You do NOT choose a new name because you like the sound of the name, how it fits with your other names, or because it is the name of a nice friend or relative.

Once you have done enough prayerful reflection and research you are ready to choose your new name! Again make sure you choose a saint that there is plenty of information on for you to get to know who he or she was.

Check out these sites:

• Catholic.Org: www.catholic.org/saints/