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Acts of the Apostles Confirmation – “What is Confirmation?” Confirmation is the last sacrament of initiation. The other two are Baptism and Eucharist. Through these sacraments Jesus Christ pours out the Holy Spirit into the hearts of his children. As we have been grafted into Christ’s life--the only life that can conquer death--through Baptism, so does Christ continue his work of “perfecting” us by sending the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk 12:12, Jn 3:5-8, 7: 37-39 and Acts 1:8). Confirmation should help the individual grow into a fuller, more conscious, and more willing participation in receiving and celebrating the Eucharist, Christ’s gift of his own flesh and blood. Confirmation is the sacrament of the Holy Spirit. We celebrate the active presence of the Spirit in the person and the community. It brings the person into a deeper relationship with Christ and enables the person to spread God’s presence to others. Confirmation leaves an “indelible spiritual mark which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked a Christian with the seal of his Spirit by clothing him with power from on high so that he may be God’s witness.” (Catechism, # 1304). We hope your teen will not miss out on this vital sacrament for their Christian growth. Confirmation News: St. Mary's has a two year Confirmation program, beginning in the 7th grade. Our teens participate in catechesis, serve in Christian love, attend a weekend retreat, are interviewed by a member of the St. Mary's staff and participate in the liturgical life of the parish. Through all these things, the Confirmandi learns what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in the world today. Contact the Religious Education Office at 703-978-4283 or Toni Haaland at 703-978-4141 to enroll your son or daughter in the Confirmation program. Blessings, Youth Minister
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