Confirmation at Saint Mark Parish
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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 Saint Mark Parish, the Sacrament of Confirmation occurs in the spring. The date of Confirmation is usually announced by February from 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 may be directed to
Andrea Wheeler at (724) 625-1665 x 2134 or by emailing [email protected].
Adults interested in receiving this sacrament should email Deacon Ralph Bachner at [email protected] for more information.
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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:- SKY Service Events - Check the calendar for events, dates, and times
- Atria's Senior Living Center - Help with Bingo and other events (under 16 must have a parent present)
- St. Vincent de Paul, Butler—work in stockroom
- The Lighthouse Foundation – stock supplies
- Kilian Cupboard Fellowship dinners – Prep or serve, signup online
- The Saint Mark Fish Fry – MANY opportunities to volunteer
- The Saint Kilian Parish School Celtic Way 5K in the fall has 3 days where volunteers are needed
- Family Fun Day for special needs families, put on by Cranberry Township
- Special Olympics volunteer
- Rosecrest Assisted Living – spend an hour on Thursdays with residents. Activities are provided
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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:
- Participating in the Living Stations Ministry
- Praying the Stations of the Cross
- Visiting a National Shrine or a Basilica
- Attending a Catholic program, workshop, or lecture with a qualified guest speaker
- Visiting travelling relics
- Attending a retreat
- Going on a pilgrimage
- Participation in a healing Mass
- Participation in a group Catholic bible study
- Attending the March for Life with a group
- Visiting the relics at Troy Hill
- Attending a Festival of Praise
- Attending Adoration for a minimum of 30 minutes
- Attend an Ordination ceremony
- Attend a Chrism Mass
- Take a Mission trip
- Join and participate in a prayer group
- Attend "The Silver Ring Thing"
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Confirmation Parent Meeting Dates
Saint Kilian Parish Hall - Tuesday, October 8, 2024 - 7:00 pm
Holy Sepulcher School - Wednesday, October 23, 2024 - 6:15 pm
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Confirmation Forms & Documents
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