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.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1315-16
Confirmation
Confirmation for Children
Eligibility
Eligibility for Confirmation requires that candidates:
Be baptised in the Catholic faith;
Have completed First Reconciliation;
Have completed First Holy Communion;
Live in St. Michael’s parish;
Be in at least Year 6.
Commitment & Formation
In preparation for Confirmation all candidates are required to:
Attend a Commitment Mass preceded by an activity and information session in the parish hall.
Attend three Confirmation formation sessions, each beginning with Sunday Mass at 9:30am, followed by a parent & child Confirmation lesson in the parish hall.
Attend rehearsal and Reconciliation.
Ceremony Selection
We celebrate two Confirmation liturgies (ceremonies). The online Registration Form will ask you to choose which of these you would like to attend. When we reach sixty participants at any one liturgy, availability closes for that liturgy and the remaining candidates are allocated to the alternative liturgy.
Reconciliation & Rehearsal
To ensure that candidates receive the sacrament of Confirmation in a State of Grace, all candidates need to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation before his or her Confirmation.
Reconciliation and rehearsal will take place during school hours for students of St. Michael’s Primary.
Reconciliation will be available before rehearsal for candidates from public and independent schools.
Please note that candidates must attend the rehearsal and Reconciliation that corresponds to their Confirmation Mass selection.
Confirmation Name
Candidates are required to choose a Confirmation name. A Confirmation name is the name of a Catholic Saint who has inspired the candidate. During the ceremony the bishop will use the Confirmation name when Confirming the candidate, for example, if Mary Smith were to choose St. Bernadette as a Confirmation name, when Confirming Mary the bishop would say, ‘Bernadette, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.’
Selecting a Sponsor
In preparation for your child's Confirmation please note that all candidates must have a sponsor. The sponsor plays an important role in the candidate’s faith and brings the candidate to receive the sacrament, by presenting him or her to the bishop for anointing.
The role of the sponsor is to assist and help the candidate fulfil their baptismal promises faithfully. Therefore, it is important for the candidate and parents to select a sponsor who is spiritually fit to take this important responsibility.
As such the sponsor must have the following qualities:
The sponsor must be a person aged 16 years or older.
Be a practicing member of the Catholic Church, and have undergone their own Christian initiation through Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
Be in good standing with the Church.
Candidates may choose one sponsor. Please note parents cannot be a sponsor for their child; however may in exceptional circumstances present their child for Confirmation as a proxy for the absent sponsor.
Attendance
Full attendance is expected. Missing the Commitment Mass, lessons, Reconciliation, or rehearsal will delay Confirmation until the program runs again next year. We consider the spiritual formation of the children more important than other commitments, and we trust that parents recognise this too.
2027 Important Dates
Saturday 7th August, 4:00pm-6:00pm— Activity and Information followed by Confirmation Commitment Mass (5:00pm)
Sunday 15th August, 9:30am—Mass followed by Confirmation Formation Session 1 in the Parish Hall
Sunday 22nd August, 9:30am—Mass followed by Confirmation Formation Session 2 in the Parish Hall
Sunday 29th August, 9:30am—Mass followed by Confirmation Formation Session 3 in the Parish Hall
Wednesday XXth September—Retreat Day for St. Michael’s Primary School Confirmation Candidates
Wednesday 15th September (TBC)
6:00pm-6:30pm—Reconciliation for public and independent school candidates (Liturgy 1)
6:30pm-7:30pm—Rehearsal for public and independent school candidates (Liturgy 1)
Thursday 16th September (TBC)
6:00pm-6:30pm—Reconciliation for public and independent school candidates (Liturgy 2)
6:30pm-7:30pm—Rehearsal for public and independent school candidates (Liturgy 2)
Friday 17th September (TBC)
5:00pm—Rite of Confirmation with Bishop X (Liturgy 1)
6:30pm—Rite of Confirmation with Bishop X (Liturgy 2)
Connect
For further help please contact our Sacramental Co-Ordinator on 9427 2034 or at sacraments@stmichael.org.au
For help with payments please contact our Financial Administrator on 9418 3487 or lisal@stmichael.org.au
Adult Confirmation
Eligibility
Eligibility for adult Confirmation requires that the person is a baptised catholic.
Please speak to Father or our Sacramental Co-Ordinator Lisa Rossi before registering.
Commitment & Formation
To prepare for Confirmation and demonstrate commitment, candidates join our RCIA group (those preparing to become catholic) for the sessions covering the sacraments.
These sessions will cover Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders.
Prior to Confirmation candidates are prepared for and make their Confession (Reconciliation) and First Holy Communion.
Mass Selection
Two Confirmation Masses are available for Adult Confirmations. The online Registration Form will ask you to choose which of these you would like to attend. Our Sacramental Co-Ordinator Lisa Rossi will register you with St. Mary’s Cathedral for your choice of Confirmation Mass. Please check with Lisa to confirm that you are registered.
Confirmation Name
Candidates are required to choose a Confirmation name. A Confirmation name is the name of a Catholic Saint who has inspired the candidate. During the ceremony the bishop will use the Confirmation name when Confirming the candidate. For example, if Mary Smith were to choose St. Bernadette as a Confirmation name, when confirming her the bishop would say, ‘Bernadette, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.’
Selecting a Sponsor
All candidates must choose a suitable sponsor. The sponsor plays an important role in the candidates' Catholic faith and brings the candidate to receive the sacrament, by presenting him or her to the bishop for anointing.
The role of the sponsor is to assist and help the candidate to fulfil his or her baptismal promises faithfully. Therefore, it is important for the candidate to select a sponsor who is spiritually fit to take this important responsibility.
As such the sponsor must have the following qualities:
The sponsor must be a person aged 16 years or older.
Be a practicing member of the Catholic Church, and have undergone their own Christian initiation through Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
Be in good standing with the Church.
Provided the sponsor satisfies the aforementioned conditions, the sponsor can be a spouse.
Where
The Confirmation Masses take place at:
St. Mary’s Cathedral, 2 St. Mary’s Road, SYDNEY NSW 2000 Australia
2026 Important Dates
Sunday 24th May, 10:30am—Confirmation Mass 1 (Arrive at 10:00am to be seated)
Sunday 25th October, 10:30am—Confirmation Mass 2 (Arrive at 10:00am to be seated)
Connect
For further help, please contact our Sacramental Co-Ordinator on 9427 2034 or at sacraments@stmichael.org.au
“In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance...”