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Rectory Phone: 412.279.7070                                                              Religious Ed. Phone: 412.276.0277
School Phone: 412.279.6611                                                                       email: rectory@olgscott.org
                                                  Weekly bulletin

Confirmation

From the Catechism:

1306: Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that “the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time. “ for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete.

1307:  The Latin tradition gives “the age of discretion” as the reference point for receiving Confirmation. But in danger of death children should be confirmed even if they have not yet attained the age of discretion

1310: To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer should prepare one to receive the strength  and graces of the Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.

1311: Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents>
(Diocese of Pittsburgh Confirmation Sponsor Guidelines).

1316: Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.

1317: Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian’s soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one’s life.

1318: In the East this sacrament is administered immediately after Baptism and is followed by participation in the Eucharist; this tradition highlights the unity of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. In the Latin Church this sacrament is administered when the age of reason has been reached, and its celebration is ordinarliy reserved to the bishop, thus signifying that this sacrament strengthens the ecclesial bond.

1319:  A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in a state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.

at Our Lady of Grace:

     Confirmation is presently  conferred in the eighth grade. Formal preparation at Our Lady of Grace School  and in the Religious Education Program begins in the seventh grade continuing  and intensifying in eighth grade.

    The seventh grade curriculum examines Jesus in the New Testament and the Mystery of God while the eighth grade discusses Morality-Life in Christ and the Church and the Sacraments.

    In addition to  class-room preparation, candidates for Confirmation are presented to the parish  community during Mass on Witness Sunday. All candidates are also interviewed by  either of our priests, or our deacon, the religious education coordinator, or  selected catechists. These interviews provide an opportunity to gauge the  maturity and preparedness of the candidate while being able to review and  discuss the Sacrament with the candidate.

    Candidates also explore the life of the Saints by visiting St. Anthony’s Chapel (Troy Hill, PA) home of the second largest collection of relics outside the Vatican. This visit, along with a research paper on the life of a specific saint, allows the candidate to gain a deeper appreciation for the  Saints.  Two  informational parent meetings are usually held in January to discuss problems  areas, review Catholic teaching on the Sacrament, review the Diocese of  Pittsburgh's Policy on Confirmation Names, explain the candidate interview  process, and address concerns.

    Spirit Day, a  parish day of reflection for our candidates follows as the date for Confirmation  draws closer. (The date for Confirmation is announced by the Bishop's Office  usually after the New Year) During Spirit Day, the candidates practice and walk  through the ceremony while also being presented with three talks on various  themes of Confirmation.

Diocesan Confirmation Sponsor Guidelines
 

Mass Schedule
(all times AM)

Monday-Friday
6:45 & 9:00

Saturday
9:00 & 6:00 (PM)

Sunday
8:00, 9:30, &
11:30

Eucharistic
Adoration
9AM-9PM
Last Wednesday
of every month.
Benediction
8-9PM