Confirmation
Confirmation brings to completion the grace received through baptism. By this sacrament the baptized are more perfectly bound to the church and are enriched by the strength of the Holy Spirit. This gift conforms believers more fully to Christ and strengthens them to bear witness to Christ for the building up of his body in faith and love.
The partner parishes of St. Ambrose, St. Matthew and St. Sylvester are part of a region in the Diocese of Greensburg that consist of St. Mary, Freeport, Christ the King, St. Gertrude, Our Lady, Queen of Peace, and St. James. The confirmation preparation and schedule is under the direction of the regional faith formation coordinator, Tina Komarinski. ([email protected])
The Diocese of Greensburg has specific qualifications of confirmation sponsors as well as several guidelines and/or recommendations. Go to https://www.dioceseofgreensburg.org/parishes/confirmation/ to learn more.
Qualifications of Confirmation Sponsors
- Be designated by the candidate, by the parents or guardians or the pastor.
- Have the qualifications and intention of performing the role of sponsor.
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Be a fully initiated Catholic (received baptism, confirmation and Eucharist).
- Lead a life in harmony with the faith and role of a sponsor (i.e., be a member of a parish, attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, not in an irregular marriage, etc.).
- Not be bound by a canonical penalty.
- 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:
- There is normally one sponsor for the sacrament of confirmation.
- It is recommended that a baptismal godparent exercise the role of confirmation sponsor.
- A non-Catholic may not serve as a sponsor for the sacrament of confirmation. (It is discouraged that a spouse serve as confirmation sponsor).
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.
Letters of approval to serve as a sponsor cannot be issued to persons who find themselves in one or more of the following categories:
- Persons married outside of the church.
- Divorced persons who have remarried without an annulment.
- Unmarried persons who are cohabiting.
- Catholics who no longer practice the faith.