Confirmation
Preparation
Welcome! Through the work of the Office of Faith Formation at the Archdiocese of Hartford, there will be a new initiative in catechizing our youth. As part of the new initiative, the age of Confirmation will be lowered to spring of 8th grade. This will be a gradual process over the next 3 years.
**This means for the school year of 2025-2026, all 6th-8th graders will begin preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
As of the 2025-2026 school year, all parents and students between 6th-10th grade who are registered in faith formation class can use this page as a reference in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Upcoming service opportunities and important dates (confirmation, retreat, class cancelations) will be communicated to parents through the email provided at registration.
Confirmations during transition years as of 2025-2026 year:
10th graders will be confirmed in the Spring of 2026.
9th graders will be confirmed in the Fall of 2026.
8th graders will be confirmed in the Spring of 2027.
7th graders will be confirmed in the Fall of 2027.
6th graders will be confirmed in the Spring of 2028.
Contact
Paris Rodriguez
Director of Religious Education
Email: formation@stpgranby.org
(860) 653-3371 EX 103
Office hours: Tuesday-Thursday 1:30-6:30pm
-
9th & 10th Confirmation students will meet at our parish classrooms once a month (2x in October) from 5:00-6:30pm. Please mark the following class dates in your calendar:
9/14 (Orientation)
9/21
10/12 + 10/26 (Virtus)
11/9
12/14 (Family Formation)
1/11
2/8
3/8
4/12
-
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation includes recognizing we are part of a community! As Catholics, ALL of us are called to live as Christ. We are the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Throughout the time in the Confirmation program, students will be asked to share their time and talents in service to others and strengthen their personal spiritual life through participation in the Catholic Church’s traditions and/or Sacraments.
All candidates must complete 20 service hours over the course of the program. Service hours can be obtained in two categories:
Service towards others: This can be done through our parish, community, or family. Examples below.
Strengthening the spiritual life: This can be done through participation in Catholic Church liturgies apart from the Mass. By participating in these events now, candidates will know what is available to them to continue strengthening their spiritual lives after they get confirmed. Examples below.
*Total service hours (20) should be a mixture of the 2 categories.
Recording Service Hours: Volunteer forms must be filled out for all the services provided and/or participation in the parish. We recommend that candidates complete their volunteer forms immediately after each event to avoid the stress of trying to recall details at the end of the year.
*All volunteer forms must be signed by an adult in charge. Parents can sign for participation in Adoration, stations of the cross, etc.
-
To be a sponsor is a great honor and responsibility. The sponsor’s role is to help the confirmed grow in their Catholic faith through personal example and spiritual support. Sponsors are called to draw deeper into the heart of Jesus to gain WISDOM in guiding the candidate. We can’t do these things on our own, but through leaning on Christ, He gives us the wisdom and strength to be role models for our youth.
Sponsors will accompany candidates during Confirmation and present them for anointing.
When choosing your sponsor: Reflect on adults who will strive to have a strong and long-lasting influence in your life. A sponsor is expected to affirm all of the following:
I have received the Catholic Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist.
I am not a parent of the person being Confirmed.
I attend Mass regularly and do my best to maintain my prayer-life.
My manner of life is in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.
How Can I get Service Hours?
Service Towards Others (parish, community, and family)
Parish: Within our parish there many opportunities for candidates to receive service hours:
Participation in Children’s Mass
Teacher’s Helper for Prk-2nd Grade Faith Formation Classes
Sing or Play Instrument with band during 10:30am Mass
Be an Altar Server
Coffee/Donuts Sunday
Parish Picnic
Pancake Breakfast
Breakfast with Santa
Family Ministry Events
Women’s Ministry Events
Hospitality Ministry Events
The Giving Tree (Advent)
Help with First Communion Mass
Youth Ministry Events
Community: Any voluntary service candidates do as individuals or as a group to help out the community in which we live:
Cleaning Local Parks/Areas
Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen
Food/Clothes Drive
Boy/Girl Scouts
Knights of Columbus Events
Meadowbrook
Help in Youth Sports/Groups
Tutoring/Babysitting
Helping Neighbors
Family: (Only 5 Hours allowed) Voluntary service helping family beyond what normal chores are. Family members include immediate, grandparents, uncles/aunts, cousins, etc:
Cooking Dinner
Yardwork
Car Cleaning
Cleaning Sibling’s room
Strengthening the Spiritual Life
In addition to the Mass, the Catholic Church offers rich traditions & liturgies that are available to all of us. Receive up to an hour of service for participating in the following: (Candidates are encouraged to bring friends or family as well!)
Adoration (Mondays at 5pm)
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Saturdays 4-4:45pm)
Stations of the Cross (Lent)
Youth Bible Study (dates on calendar)
Praying the Rosary (at home or with a group)
Mass during Holy Tridium: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, &/or Holy Saturday
Steubenville East Youth Conference
