Confirmation celebrates the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit on a baptised person, completing and strengthening the grace given by the Spirit in Baptism. It marks the Christian as a follower of Christ and a full member of the Church.

In our parish, children normally celebrate Confirmation in Sixth Class. Much of the preparation is carried out in school with the parish offering a complimentary preparation programme.

At Confirmation the Bishop/priest prays that the gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the living out of the Christian life will grow in each person being confirmed. These are the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Right Judgement, Courage, Reverence and Wonder and Awe in God’s presence. Growth in these gifts is a lifetime’s experience and leads the Christian to share in the mission of Jesus Christ. Young people preparing for Confirmation are encouraged to be involved in some form of service in their parish.

The decision to be confirmed is not one to be taken lightly, for it involves both faith and commitment.

Who Can Receive?

Any baptised Catholic wishing to advance on the path of developing their faith. For young people, this is usually part of the 5th/6th class primary school programme.

For adults who were not confirmed as children, it means taking part in the Rite of the Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)

A sponsor stands behind the candidate for Confirmation at the Confirmation ceremony and places their hand on the shoulder of the candidate as a sign that they will support them in living out their baptismal promises. However, the role of the sponsor is not just for one day. The sponsor undertakes to assist the confirmed person in growing in the fullness of their faith and in their membership of the Catholic Church.

A person qualifies as a sponsor by being a reasonably mature adult, who is at least 16 years old, and has already received the Sacraments of Initiation, (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) themselves.

The Confirmation sponsor may be one of the people who was a sponsor at Baptism (subject to the notes here).

Choosing a sponsor ~

To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

• Be appointed by the candidate, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role have the intention of fulfilling it.
• Be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or the minister considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made.
• Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken.
• Not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared.
• Not be either the father or the mother of the candidate.

Name

The tradition of taking a new name at Confirmation emphasises the new identity of a Christian being called to witness to their faith. People are encouraged to take the name of a saint or a person from the Bible who inspires them in some way.

Oil

The oil used is called the Oil of Chrism. It is olive oil mixed with balsam that is blessed by the bishop and priests of the diocese in the Cathedral at the ‘Chrism Mass’ on Holy Thursday. The Sacrament is conferred with the anointing with this ‘Oil of Chrism’ on the forehead as the Bishop says ‘Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit’.

Programme for Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the Brendan Pastoral area.

• Mid August – Meeting of Pastoral Team (Priests & Pastoral Ministers) to plan schedule for the year ahead.
• Mid August – We prepare all the paper work (printing enrolment forms and letters for each school in the Pastoral Area, Worksheets to be used throughout the year together with readings and prayers of the faithful for use at 6 Sacramental Masses (October to March)
• First week of September Enrolment Forms and Letters of Invitation to Parents sent home through schools.
• Third week of September meet with Teachers from 2^nd & 6^th Class together with Principals to confirm dates for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
• Last Week of September, meet Parents in each Parish. Parents invited to bring their enrolment forms to this meeting.
• First Weekend in October, Enrolment Weekend. Children and parents invited to attend Mass in their Parish where enrolment takes place and children are invited to bring  a Nameplate to the Altar which will be displayed in the church for the year ahead.
• Second week in October, Sacramental Masses start. The Sacramental Masses will happen on the same weekend in each parish.  Prior to each Mass, Joan (Birr), Vonnie (Coolderry & Kinnitty) and Tara (Shinrone & Clonlisk) will call to the schools to remind the children that their Sacramental Mass is happening the following weekend and we bring Worksheets, 2^nd Reading & Prayers of the Faithful.
• Early February our Pastoral Team run Confirmation Retreats for all the Confirmation Children in the Pastoral Area.
• Pastoral Minister liaise with the Teachers regarding First Reconciliation Services, First Holy Communion & Confirmation Ceremonies and assist with preparation of booklets for ceremonies.

Confirmation Ceremonies – Saturday 21st March, 2026 @ 11am Crinkill N.S./ Killeen N.S. & Parish Preparation Programme

Confirmation Ceremonies –  Saturday 21st  March, 2026 @ 3pm  St. Brendan’s P.S./Mercy P.S. & Carrig N.S.