The normative age for the reception of the sacrament of confirmation in the Diocese of Greensburg is in transition from second grade to seventh, eighth and ninth grades.

 

During the 2011-12 school year, children who received the sacrament of Eucharist in 2010 are scheduled to be confirmed by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt.

 

Students who receive Eucharist in 2011 will be confirmed in sixth grade, and thereafter confirmation will be received between the grades of seventh and ninth depending on the schedule that is established by the diocese.

 

Immediate preparation for the sacrament of confirmation will be done in the parish of registration regardless of where the child goes to school. Children being confirmed must have been in an approved form of faith formation in the year prior to the reception of the sacrament, as well as in the year of reception.

 

Announcement of the schedule for confirmation will be made in the parish bulletin and on the parish Web site, once it is announced by the diocese.

 

Qualifications of Confirmation Sponsors

  

1. Be designated by the candidate, by the parents or guardians, or the pastor.
2. Have the qualifications and intention of performing the role of sponsor.
3. Be at least 16 years old.
4. Be a fully initiated Catholic (received baptism, confirmation and Eucharist).
5. Lead a life in harmony with the faith and role of a sponsor (i.e., be an active member of a parish, attend Mass on Sundays, participate in the sacraments and holy days, not be in an irregular marriage, etc.).
6. Not be bound by a canonical penalty.
7. Not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed.

Sponsors for the sacrament of confirmation must abide by the same qualifications as sponsors for the sacrament of baptism. In addition, the following guidelines and/or recommendations apply:

 

1. There is one sponsor for the sacrament of confirmation.
2. It is recommended that a baptismal godparent exercise the role of confirmation sponsor.
3. A non-Catholic may not serve as a sponsor for the sacrament of confirmation, (i.e. no Christian witnesses).

v Our diocese continues the practice of requiring proof of eligibility for sponsorship (in accord with the qualifications above) from the parish in which the sponsor is registered. If the sponsor does not belong to Holy Trinity Parish, they must acquire a sponsor letter from their parish and send it to Holy Trinity Parish no later than one month prior to the day of the confirmation.

 

Preparation

 

The immediate preparation will consist of several retreats for the children who are to receive the sacrament. These retreats will take place on Saturday and are a prerequisite for the reception of the sacrament. Please contact the parish education office at 724-238-6341 if you have any questions.