THE SACRMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Saint Patrick Parish follows the two-year Diocesan approach to Sacrament Formation. First Year of Confirmation Preparation is 7th Grade, and Second Year of Confirmation Preparation is 8th Grade, culminating in reception of the Sacrament.
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life that calls us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. We receive the message of faith in a deeper and more intensive manner with great emphasis given to the person of Jesus Christ, who asked the Father to give the Holy Spirit to the Church for building up the community in loving service.
Confirmation completes the Sacraments of Initiation for those who have previouly received the Sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. The bishop (or delegated priest) confers Confirmation through the anointing with chrism on the recipient's forehead, which is done by the laying on of hands while saying "Be Sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit which seals and confirms the baptized in union with Christ and calls them to greater participation in the worship and apostolic life of the Church. (Excerpt is taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church for Adults).