Church of the Catholic Parish of Jersey

Catholic Community of Jersey

Confirmation

People born into Catholic families are usually baptised as babies.  This is when the family and friends promise to bring up the baby as a Roman Catholic Christian.  When the person is old enough to make their own decisions they can be confirmed. 

A person being confirmed will say that they believe in God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, commit themselves to their active membership of the Catholic Church  and ask for strength and courage to live as Jesus would want to and to tell other people about their faith.  Before a person gets confirmed they will be asked to a confirmation preparation programme where they will learn more about their faith, what it means to be a Catholic today and the meaning of the promises they will make.

For detailed information about registration, and programmes  please contact Mary Cahill, our Youth Formation Officer who co-ordinates the all island confirmation programme. m.cahill@catholicchurch.org.je

We hope this general information below will be of assistance to you:

• Immediate preparation takes place during the year of Confirmation.  Study includes the Sacraments of Initiation ( Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist), Pentecost, the Holy Spirit in Scripture and in the history of the church, and the explanation and meaning  of the Rite of Confirmation. 
• Like all Sacramental preparation, the intent is not only to gain knowledge of the Sacrament, but also to help the candidate grow into a deeper relationship with Christ and His Church. We try to continue to emphasise service to others and to encourage this as an integral pat of the Christian life style.
• Preparation is a process and combination of study, prayer and service to others.  The candidate should understand that this process is a model for Christian living throughout one’s adult life.
• We organise a retreat for the candidates prior to Confirmation, giving the youth a time and place in which to reflect upon and internalise that which during the year has been spoken about Christ and His Church.
• Meetings with parents and sponsors help the candidates better understand their role in the Confirmation process and helps them to deepen their relationship with those being confirmed.
• The all island congregations are part of the preparation for the celebration of the Confirmation sacrament by means of our weekly newsletter, the Sunday homily and prayers by the community for the candidates.
• As we have a significant Portuguese community, a Portuguese Bishop as well as the Bishop of our Portsmouth diocese comes to the island to concelebrate the Confirmation Masses with the Jersey Catholic clergy.