For Confirmation Registration please print and fill out the documents above and deliver them to the church office. Or fill out the online registration below. If the online registration option is chosen, please be aware that the Medical and Communication Release forms must still be printed and filled out and delivered to the church office. In addition to these forms, a copy of the candidate's Baptismal certificate and a check of $90 made payable to St. Angela Merici Church are required. If you have any questions or are in need of financial assistance, please contact Director of Youth Ministry Cullen Burton at [email protected].
John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5).
Though we’ve often heard youth referred to as the “future of our Church,” the truth is, parish youth are essential members of our Church community now. As such, it’s important that our faith community find continuous ways to engage and form parish youth in the faith throughout their life, encouraging them to discover and utilize their God-given talents for His glory.
One of the natural opportunities to accomplish this is through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The third and final sacrament of Christian Initiation, Confirmation marks a period of maturation in the Christian life. Baptismal promises are renewed and the candidate receives a new outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Through the laying on of hands and anointing by the bishop, the confirmandi are sealed and confirmed into full union with Christ. They are then commissioned to go out and share the Good News of Christ by both word and example. This is only truly possible, however, if the confirmandi have first entered into a personal relationship with the Lord themselves.
Here in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Confirmation traditionally takes place during the eleventh grade or junior year of high school. Our Confirmation program is open to any age-appropriate youth who is already a member of St. Angela Merici parish or who lives within our parish boundaries and has received at least two years of continuous faith formation prior to the sacrament. Confirmandi wishing to be confirmed at St. Angela Merici Church but who live outside our parish boundaries must first obtain a written letter of permission from their registered parish pastor or become a registered parishioner.
Here at St. Angela Merici, we seek to adopt first and foremost a relational approach. Our hope is that Confirmation candidates will develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that will sustain them throughout their adult life. That they will come to know, love, and serve Christ and His Church, fully embracing a life of active discipleship.
To facilitate this process, Confirmation candidates must participate in our sacramental preparation program, which occurs within small group gatherings known as Discipleship Groups (D-Groups). These D-Groups are gender-exclusive, consisting of two safe-environment trained adult mentors and roughly 8-10 youth. They will meet a total of 8 sessions (roughly twice a month) at the date, time, and location determined by that particular group from September-late January 2023-2024.
Candidates must also attend a mandatory Confirmation retreat, scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 9:00-4:00 p.m., and a Day of Service scheduled for Saturday, January 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Candidates will also attend an interview with either Fr. Beau Charbonnet, pastor, or our parochial vicar Fr. Lawrence Murori the week of 1/21-1/26 to determine their readiness to receive this important sacrament.
Below, you will find a summary of all important dates and preparation requirements as well as the necessary forms and waivers to register for this year’s Confirmation program. Registrations are due by Thursday, August 17, 2023, and there is a mandatory orientation for both parents and candidates on Thursday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. in the Gym.
For more information about the 2023-2024 Confirmation Program, please contact coordinator Cullen Burton at [email protected].