Confirmation is celebrated within the parish each year. Through this sacrament, the candidate is strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, made a true witness of Christ in word and deed, and initiated fully into the life of the Church.
Confirmation helps to nurture idealism, affirms the promise of the young men's and women's lives, and immerses them into the Christian vision of building a community of love and justice in the world. The candidates are the present, future, and the promise of our Church. It is our responsibility to be role models of the faith and lead them into a life of discipleship.
Confirmation preparation takes place over two years in Catholic school or faith formation classes. Our Confirmation students will use the "Chosen" program from Ascension Press, in combination with a corresponding website that includes course instruction, lessons, journaling, and quizzes. The Year 1 students will complete chapters 1-11 and Year 2 students will do chapters 12-24. Please note that both years need to be completed before being confirmed. All Year 2 students must complete Year 1 before enrolling for Year 2, regardless of grade level.
Confirmation preparation also includes elements of service, Catholic encounters, participation in the SKY youth group, and Catholic Vision of Love (CVOL) lessons. Students are cautioned that while working at their own pace, they should stay caught up with their work.
Parent participation is always welcome and strongly encouraged! Engage your student in conversation about the various topics, watch the videos with them, and work through their Challenges for each lesson together.
At Holy Sepulcher and Saint Kilian Parishes, the Sacrament of Confirmation occurs in the spring. The date of Confirmation is usually announced in December or January by the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Parents are emailed once we receive that date. The Rite of Confirmation does not include a Mass and usually lasts 90 minutes or less.
All questions about confirmation at Holy Sepulcher or Saint Kilian may be directed to Andrea Wheeler at (724) 625-1665 x 2134 or by emailing awheeler@saintkilian.org.
Adults interested in receiving this sacrament should email Deacon Ralph Bachner at rbachner@saintkilian.org for more information.
Holy Sepulcher & Saint Kilian Year 1 and Year 2 Confirmation Preparation (7th & 8th Grade)
Our Confirmation preparation is a two-year program designed for those students in 7th & 8th grade wishing to be confirmed. Older students that have not made their Confirmation are also welcome. Year 1 is typically for 7th grade and Year 2 is typically for 8th grade. If you are in 8th grade and have not completed the 7th grade material, you will need to go through Year 1 before proceeding to Year 2 . All options below will use the program from Ascension Press curriculum called “Chosen.” Click below to view all options for Confirmation preparation for the 2022-2023 faith formation year.
Jesus calls us into a lifetime of discipleship, so the Youth Ministry provides several opportunities for you to do service for others. Our activities are directed toward performing Corporal Works of Mercy which include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, visiting prisoners, burying the dead, giving alms to the poor.
A service element needs to be a part of the Confirmation preparation, so we strongly encourage all 7th and 8th graders to do service! The idea is to "go out" into the community to help others and share God's love.
There are many options that will be available to you throughout the year. Watch your email for service and other activities planned through SKY.
Additionally, there are many other ways that you can volunteer and perform service. Here are some examples of service:
Catholic Encounters are events or devotions that bring you into the life of the Church. As you approach your Confirmation, it is important to become a member of your Catholic community and contribute in some way to the Body of Christ. The purpose of this element of Confirmation preparation is to bring you into contact with the various ways that we express our faith as Catholics through traditions, devotions, sacramentals, and community interaction. Opportunities for Catholic Encounters are numerous and are not limited to what happens here at the parish level.
7th & 8th grade Confirmation students are encouraged to experience Catholic Encounters.
The following are some examples of Catholic Encounters:
The dates for this year's Confirmations are Wednesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 4, at 7:00 pm at Saint Kilian Church. Families will need to register for one of these dates. Our Sign Up Genius will go live at 9:00 am on Saturday, March 4. If one dates fills, you will need to choose the other.
Click here to register (on or after March 4.)
Please note that anyone signing up for both dates will be deleted from both dates.
If you have questions, please contact Andrea at awheeler@saintkilian.org.