The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation. The 3 Sacraments of Initiation are:
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- 1st Eucharist
Confirmation is not a graduation, it completes the initiation process and marks the beginning of an intentional lifelong journey of Worship, Prayer, Study & Action (the 4-pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church), whereby the fully initiated Christian seeks to actively live and participate in the Community of Faith (the Church) as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Our Lady's Immaculate Heart has established a 2-year preparation process, usually during a youth's 9th & 10th grade year. The Liturgical Celebration of the Sacrament occurs in the Fall of the youth's 11th grade year.
This 2 year process is a time for youth and families to explore and experience the Catholic faith together. This process gives youth and families many opportunities to actively engage together in living out the Catholic Faith.
ORIENTATION
Click the link below and view the orientation video. You will need to plan about an hour to view the video together (Parents & Youth). The video will answer many of the most common questions people have regarding preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
CONFIRMATION ORIENTATION VIDEO
PDF'S & HELPFUL RESOURCES
Check out IDEAS FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE BELOW
Parent(s) & Sponsors, please go over the handout, "A Walk through The Rite of Confirmation" with the youth preparing for Confirmation. This will prepare you for what to expect the day of the Celebration.
IDEAS FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Not sure what to do for Service? There will always be service opportunities in the weekly Lifelong Faith Formation Update email, however, below is a list of opportunities in our parish and surrounding area. The List of Service Opportunities is a listing of Service Agencies in the Des Moines Metro Area. Gather some friends, your faith formation class or family members and contact the service agency to discover the opportunities they may have available.
Consider these ideas for serving others in a time of pandemic:
Hand write cards/notes to people in nursing homes, shut ins, rehab centers, hospitals, prisons, or for people in your own neighborhood. Cards can be sent throughout the year for many occassions:
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Thinking of you
- Happy New Year/Epiphany
- Valentines
- St. Patrick's Day
- Just Because
- Praying for you
Consider volunteering to call the homebound to say hello or to learn a little bit more about the life story of the person (s) you're calling.
Organize a "Cookie Bake" and deliver the cookies to your neighbors.
Organize a specific "gathering" of supplies for outreach, examples could include: Tie Blankets, Health Kits, School Kits, Heart-Felt patches, etc.
Participate in weekly Mass as a Cross Bearer, Lector, Instrument player, Vocalist, Hospitality Team Member, Nursery Volunteer, Etc.
Many organizations have needs. it will take a little thinking and "work" to find an opportunity that fits your spirit's desires.
FORMS THE OFFICE NEEDS
LINKS COMING SOON
SPONSOR MATERIALS & RESOURCES
CLICK HERE to locate information, materials & resources for Sponsors to use.
Have questions? Contact Tom Primmer, Director of Faith Formation
IMPORTANT DATES
- Between November & August 15th – Youth need to engage in Service Opportunities & submit reflection online (link located at https://www.olih.org/teen-1) 1st & 2nd year prep.
- By December 15, 2023 – Submit Baptismal Information online (2nd year prep).
- By December 15, 2023 – Submit Sponsor Information online (2nd year prep).
- Sunday, January 28, 2024 – Sponsor Orientation between Masses (8:30-10:30 am) Sponsor Only, No Youth – in the Banquet Room. (2nd year prep)
- Between February and August 15 – 2nd year prep youth meet with Sponsors.
- By March 15, 2024 – Submit photo of youth to TomP@olih.org (we will use the photo to pray for the youth, place on the Confirmation Banner) Head & Shoulder Pic is best.
- May 4, 2024 – Confirmation Retreat at OLIH (2nd year prep) – Sing up Link will be forthcoming.
- AUGUST 15th – 1st & 2nd year prep need to have all Service Reflections done.
- AUGUST 15th – 2nd year prep needs to have all SPONSOR MEETINGS done.
- AUGUST 15th SPONSORS need to submit their recommendation online at: https://www.olih.org/confirmation-sponsors
PLEASE NOTE: Bishop Joensen is very relational and approachable. He likes to have a conversation with the youth. Please encourage your youth to be ready to converse. Bishop will ask certain questions of the youth. here is a sample from year's past. These are subject to change.
2022 Pre-Confirmation reflection questions: “In his proclamation of the Kingdom, Jesus seeks, encounters, and welcomes people in their concrete life situations. . . Jesus made human experience more livable through the recognition in it of the presence and call of God” (Directory for Catechesis/DC, n. 198).
What is one situation, experience, or relationship in your life story to this point where you knew/know God REALLY present to you? Even if that is hard to answer, what is one place, situation, or relationship where you hope that you can experience God’s presence more intensely or more often? How are you called right now to help others experience God’s presence in their lives?If Jesus had not risen from the dead or breathed the Holy Spirit upon his disciples, how would your life right now be different? What is one gift of the Holy Spirit you would really like to be magnified at confirmation and beyond?
As you affirm your commitment to witness to Jesus as a living member of Christ’s Body, what is something you’d like to see more of from the Church? Or what is one way the Church can be more attractive to you, your friends, and other young people? What is one question or piece of advice you’d like to pose to Bishop Joensen?