Confirmation Preparation 2025

Candidate checklist

Use the checkboxes below as a personal tool to track your progress. They are not submitted electronically.

• Openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in deciding directions and priorities in life.
• Regular participation in the worshiping community: attend and participate in Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation (and more often when possible).
• Attend all Confirmation preparation gatherings and meetings.
• Complete all video and journaling assignments.
• Complete 3–5 Corporal Works of Mercy (see section on Works of Mercy) and demonstrate a generous spirit of service.
• Be enrolled in and participate in parish religious education or St. Paul School the entire school year, including after Confirmation.
• Select an appropriate sponsor who will support and guide you in faith, both now and for life.
• Go to Mass with your sponsor at least once, then share a meal to discuss your Confirmation journey.
• Choose a Confirmation saint name that has meaning to you.
• Attend and fully participate in the Confirmation retreat at Damascus Catholic Camp (October 31–November 2, 2025).
• Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation before Confirmation (opportunity is provided).
• Know the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and what they mean.
• Write a letter to the Bishop requesting to be confirmed (see detailed instructions below).

“As the primary educators of their children, parents are to be intimately involved in the catechesis for Confirmation. This will help them renew and strengthen their own faith, besides enabling them to set a better example for their children.” (NCD, no. 119)

Parent responsibilities

• Ensure that your candidate participates in Mass regularly, ideally with the entire family.
• Be actively involved in your child’s Confirmation preparation.
• Engage in discussions about what your child is learning; share your own understanding and perspective.
• Pray daily for your child’s spiritual growth.
• Support and encourage completion of assignments, activities, and expectations.
• Faithfully bring your teen (and yourself when needed) to classes, retreats, meetings, and special events.
• Volunteer for service work, meetings, classes, spiritual events, and/or social events. Adult help is often required for service opportunities.
• Model responsible and active church membership for your child.

Parent action list

• Register your student for Confirmation (see Registration & Payment section below).
• Register your student and pay for the Confirmation retreat – $155.
• Pay the Confirmation preparation fee – $75: Pay the Confirmation preparation fee.
• Scan or take a picture of your student’s baptismal certificate and email it to dmay@stpaulncanton.org.
• Select a Mass time for Confirmation once the date is announced.
• Check in regularly with your student about their progress.

Role of a sponsor

The sponsor’s primary responsibility is to provide prayerful support and guidance in the candidate’s Christian walk and to “take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament” (Canon 892).

Being a sponsor is a lifelong commitment. A sponsor acts as a spiritual parent who brings the candidate to receive the sacrament, presents them for anointing, and later helps them fulfill their baptismal promises under the influence of the Holy Spirit (Rite of Confirmation 5).

Responsibilities before Confirmation

• Be a convinced, enthusiastic Catholic living a life of faith and ready to fulfill the sponsor role.
• Pray regularly for and with the candidate and model how to pray.
• Attend Confirmation preparation meetings when sponsors are invited.
• Cultivate a supportive, encouraging relationship with the candidate.
• Be involved in the catechetical preparation of the candidate with dedication.
• Know the candidate’s personal faith and share your own faith experiences.
• Lead and guide the candidate to a personal relationship with the Lord and a deeper familiarity with the Holy Spirit (CCC 1309).

Responsibilities after Confirmation

• Maintain regular contact (phone, email, cards—especially on Confirmation anniversaries).
• Pray regularly for and with the confirmed; help deepen their prayer life (e.g., eucharistic adoration).
• Encourage active participation in parish life.
• Continue ongoing catechesis (sharing good books, answering questions, etc.).
• Help the confirmed understand how to bear witness to Christ and live their baptismal promises through the Holy Spirit.

Church requirements for sponsors

• Ideally, the godparent at Baptism is also the Confirmation sponsor, though this is not always possible (Rite of Confirmation, 5).
• Sponsor must be fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) and actively participating in the sacramental life of the Church (Canon 874.3).
• Must be at least 16 years of age (Canon 874.2).
• Parents may not be sponsors for their own children (Canon 874.5).
• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic, regularly attending Sunday and Holy Day Mass and living according to their baptismal promises.
• Must be free from impediments of canon law (e.g., irregular marriage) that prevent serving as sponsor.
• Must have a Sponsor Verification Form signed by their pastor, confirming eligibility to serve as sponsor.

Choosing a Confirmation saint is an important—and often exciting—part of your preparation. A Confirmation saint is a spiritual friend and companion who walks with you and intercedes for you. The Holy Spirit works through this choice to help you grow in holiness.

Questions to help you choose

• What are my interests, hobbies, and passions?
  Look for saints who loved what you love: athletes, musicians, scientists, homeschoolers, saints who used the internet, and more.
• What circumstances in my life are significant?
  You might connect with saints who share experiences similar to yours: blended families, suffering, disabilities, joys, or particular struggles.
• What work do I feel called to do for the Lord?
  Think about the kind of work you want to do: serve refugees, fight injustice, work in politics, or work for healing in the Church.
• What sins or struggles do I face?
  Some saints struggled with anger, fear, or other challenges and can show you how God works through weakness.
• What kind of story inspires me?
  Look for saints whose lives draw you in—adventurers, quiet workers, martyrs, missionaries, students, ordinary people who loved God deeply.

There is no “wrong” choice. Your Confirmation saint is your saint for life, but you can continue adding more saints to your “crew” as you grow.

Great resource:
For a large list of saints, visit: https://lifeteen.com/biggest-best-list-confirmation-saints-guys-girls/ (click on any of the saints to read more about them).

When Catholics serve others, we give witness to Jesus Christ. The Works of Mercy are acts of love that help us care for the needs of others in body, mind, heart, and soul. Jesus asks us to see him in every person, especially those who are suffering or in need (Matthew 25).

The Corporal Works of Mercy (body)

• Feed the hungry.
• Give drink to the thirsty.
• Clothe the naked.
• Visit the imprisoned.
• Shelter the homeless.
• Visit the sick.
• Bury the dead.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy (mind, heart, soul)

• Admonish the sinner (give corrections to those who need it).
• Instruct the ignorant (share knowledge with others).
• Counsel the doubtful (give advice to those who need it).
• Comfort the sorrowful (comfort those who suffer).
• Bear wrongs patiently (be patient with others).
• Forgive all injuries (forgive those who hurt us).
• Pray for the living and the dead.

Ideas and resources for Works of Mercy

• Practical ideas: Practical Suggestions for Practicing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
• CAST Students: https://caringandservingtogether.com/cast-students/
• Patient wish list for Akron Children’s Hospital: Akron Children’s Patient Wish Lists
• 50 ideas for your summer: 50 Corporal Works of Mercy Ideas

Remember, St. Paul Parish always needs volunteers for VBS, Religious Education, babysitting, Main Street Festival, Donut Sundays, Pancake Breakfasts, and many other events throughout the year. Serving your parish is serving your community.

Catechism on love for the poor (CCC 2443–2447)

The Church’s love for the poor is part of her constant tradition. Love for the poor is inspired by the Gospel and the poverty of Jesus and is one of the motives for working “so as to be able to give to those in need.” Love for the poor is incompatible with selfish use of riches.

The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in spiritual and bodily necessities. Among these, giving alms to the poor is a chief witness to charity and a work of justice pleasing to God.

Each candidate writes a personal letter requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation. Letters are addressed to both Bishop Bonnar and Fr. Zwilling.

Basic requirements

• Begin with the greeting: “Dear Bishop Bonnar and Fr. Zwilling,”
• At least three paragraphs, no more than two pages.
• Attach or paste a digital picture (school picture preferred) in the top left corner of the first page.

What to include

• Introduction: Who you are, where you go to school, and some details about your life and family.
• Request the sacrament: Clearly state that you are asking to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and give several reasons why.
• Your preparation: Describe your prayer life, celebration of the other sacraments, your acts of mercy, your sponsor (name and why chosen), and your saint (name, one interesting fact, and why you chose this saint).
• Living your faith: Explain the difficulties young people face today and how you plan to live a life of service to God and others through the power of the Holy Spirit after you are confirmed.

Submitting your letter

Email your letter to dmay@stpaulncanton.org at least one month prior to Confirmation. All letters will be placed in a binder and shared with Fr. Zwilling and Bishop Bonnar.

Schedule of required gatherings

Primary contact for Confirmation preparation: Mrs. Ellie Chamblee.

4 mandatory videos for students and sponsors

Students watch each video and discuss it with their sponsor. Students should take notes on these conversations to share main points at Confirmation meetings.

Watch by June 30, 2025

The Story of Salvation: Creation, Fall, Redemption

Discuss with your sponsor:

• Why are we in need of a Savior?
• Just because we believe in Jesus, are we automatically guaranteed heaven? Why or why not?
• According to this video, what is God’s part in our salvation, and what must we do?

Watch by July 30, 2025

Catholic Social Teaching: Building a Civilization of Love

Discuss with your sponsor:

• How is Catholic service to the less fortunate different from “just nice people” helping others?
• Do we have a responsibility to the poor and less fortunate, or is it enough just to pray for them?
• What are some ways we can serve others?
• What does social justice mean to Catholics vs. the world?

Watch by August 30, 2025

Why Do I Need the Church? The Mystery of the Catholic Church

Discuss with your sponsor:

• How did Christ institute the Church?
• Why do we need the Catholic Church?
• Why do we specifically attend the Catholic Church and not just any Christian church?
• What are the four marks of the Church?

Watch by September 30, 2025

Walk Through the Mass

Discuss with your sponsor:

• Why is it necessary to go to Mass?

Signing up or logging into FORMED.org

New users

1. Go to formed.org/signup.
2. Select your parish using your zip code: St. Paul North Canton 44720.
3. Register with your name and email address.
4. Check your email for a link to begin using FORMED.

To watch on Apple TV or Roku, see: https://help.formed.org/support/home

Existing users

1. Go to formed.org.
2. Click “Sign In” in the upper right corner.
3. Enter your email address and click “Next.”
4. Check your email for a one-time code.
5. Enter the code and begin using FORMED.

1. Confirmation registration and preparation fee

1. Register for Confirmation:
   CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR CONFIRMATION (Parish will provide or update this link on the website.)
2. Pay the Confirmation preparation fee – $75:
   CLICK HERE TO PAY THE PREPARATION FEE

2. Registration for the Damascus Confirmation retreat ($155)

1. Before registering, create an account: Account creation link (Parish will insert the correct Damascus account link here.)
2. Then, use the pre-order link for students to register: Student retreat link (Parish will insert the active student link.)

Group Code (for students only): CPAULCAN25

For step-by-step directions, see: UltraCamp Registration Steps

Helpful video tutorials (Damascus/UltraCamp)

• Making an Account
• Navigating Account
• Registering
• Group Code
• Make a Payment

3. Camp fee scholarship information (St. Paul Parish)

If your family is able, please pay the full amount for camp at registration. If finances are a struggle, St. Paul offers scholarships to be used during the Damascus checkout process.

How to use a scholarship code

1. Complete the camp registration process online.
2. When asked about payment, select “Pay in full.”
3. Type the scholarship code into the promo code box.
4. Check the box next to your reservation.
5. Enter payment information (this is required by the system, even with a scholarship).
6. Submit the registration.

Scholarship codes for St. Paul Parish

• CPAUL75CAN25 – $75 scholarship (family pays $80 for camp).
• CPAUL100CAN25 – $100 scholarship (family pays $55 for camp).
• CPAUL130CAN25 – $130 scholarship (family pays $25 for camp).

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

At Baptism we receive seven special gifts from the Holy Spirit. These gifts are sealed and strengthened in us at Confirmation. They help us respond to the presence of the Holy Spirit, make good choices, and serve God and others.

• Wisdom: Helps you know the right choices to live a holy life and avoid what leads you away from God.
• Understanding: Helps you grasp the meaning of Church teachings and be compassionate toward others.
• Right Judgment (Counsel): Helps you make choices as a faithful follower of Jesus.
• Courage (Fortitude): Helps you stand up for your faith and overcome obstacles to practicing it.
• Knowledge: Helps you choose the right path and avoid what keeps you from God.
• Reverence (Piety): Fills you with confidence in God and a joyful desire to serve Him and others.
• Wonder and Awe (Fear of the Lord): Moves you to love God so much that you do not want to offend Him.

Fruits of the Holy Spirit

When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, these qualities appear in our lives as signs that the Holy Spirit is at work in us.

• Love: Unselfish devotion and care for God and neighbor.
• Joy: True happiness found in knowing and following Christ.
• Peace: Inner calm that frees us from worry over trivial things.
• Patience: Treating others with thoughtfulness and tolerance.
• Kindness: Treating others as we want to be treated.
• Goodness: Avoiding sin and striving to do what is right.
• Generosity: Sharing our gifts and possessions with others.
• Gentleness: Acting calmly and avoiding actions that provoke anger or resentment.
• Faithfulness: Living out our commitment to Jesus and the Church.
• Modesty: Purity in thoughts, words, and dress.
• Self-control: Overcoming temptation and seeking to do God’s will.
• Chastity: Using the gift of sexuality wisely, according to God’s plan.

Confirmation dress code

Candidates and sponsors should dress in a way that is modest, respectful, and appropriate for the dignity of the sacrament. (Parish may insert specific bullet points, examples, and images here based on the existing dress code visuals provided in the guidebook.)

Final reminder for sponsors

All Confirmation sponsors should complete and send in the Sponsor Verification Form to their parish to be signed by their pastor and returned to St. Paul Parish.