Welcome to the Confirmation Preparation Process for youth at the Catholic Parishes of Arlington, where our mission is to “form loving disciples who will change the world.” Over the course of the process, we will journey together and explore and enrich our faith by following Christ and being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation is not just a catechetical program where we instill knowledge in the minds of young Catholics. It is a process where young people experience God in their lives through the signs, symbols, rituals, and Sacraments of the Church. By our Baptism, we are all called to be disciples of Christ in our world. The Sacrament of Confirmation is an extension of our Baptism and First Communion, where we realize the gifts that the Holy Spirit has instilled in us and we go forth and use those gifts for the glory of God, however we may be called to that.

At CPARL the Confirmation Preparation Process is a 2-year process for ALL young people (in public, private, or Catholic school, or homeschool) and is open to young people in grades 6 - 12. 

• Seek for Children is a Vacation Bible School-style experience designed for children in grades K-5. Through songs, activities, and teachings children will get to know a God who is love and be given a shared vocabulary to begin conversations of faith with their parents.
• Seek for Teens is a youth night-style experience designed for teens (grades 6 - 12) as they journey with their parents in the first steps of formation. Through games, discussions, witnesses, and teachings teens will get to know a God who is love, be grounded in their primary identity as children of God, and be given a shared vocabulary to begin conversations of faith with their parents.
• Seek for Parents is a small group experience designed for parents as they journey with their children in the first steps of formation. Through discussions, activities, reflections, and video witnesses and teachings parents will get to know a God who is love and be given a shared vocabulary to begin conversations of faith with their children. 

 

• Root for Families (grade 8 and below) is designed for families with children in grades K-8. Through 6 at-home Family Meetings led by their parents and 6 at-church Family Sessions, children will get to know the Trinity and the essential teachings of our faith contained in the Creed. This experience is designed to be accompanied by Root for Parents.
• Root for Teens (grade 9 and above) is designed for high school teens. Through 6 self-led mini-series (each is 5 (15-minute) modules), 6 self-led Teen and Sponsor Meetings, and 6 at-church Family Sessions, teens will get to know the Trinity and the essential teachings of our faith contained in the Creed.
• Root for Parents is designed to meld into the fast-paced lives of modern parents. Through 6 self-led mini-series (each is 5 (15 minute) modules), 6 at-home Family Meetings (grade 8 and under), and 6 at-church Family Sessions, parents will get to know the Trinity and the essential teachings of our faith contained in the Creed. They will be given a vocabulary of faith and empowered with the knowledge to share the faith with their families.

After Seek and Root, families who are ready can request that their family begin preparation with their child for the celebration of the Sacrament of
Confirmation. 

• Zeal for Families (grade 9 and below) - Led by their parents in 7 at-home Family Meetings, children will grow in relationship with the Holy Spirit and a life of discipleship, through a variety of hands-on activities and meaningful conversations. Families will dive deeper into the incredible gift God gives us of Confirmation, with Zeal. They will also participate in 1 at-home Sponsor Meeting, 3 at-church Family Sessions, and 1 at-church Family mini-Retreat
• Zeal for Teens (grade 8 and above) - Over 10 at-church sessions, including 4 family sessions and 6 small group sessions for teens, young people will be awakened to a sense of belonging to the Church, led toward a more intimate union with Christ, and be given a lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit, in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life.

Towards the end of Zeal, young people can formally request to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is done by sending a letter to our pastor, Fr. Marc Bishop, and an in-person conversation with Meredith, Scott, Fr. Marc, Fr. Alwin, Fr. Chris, or their small group leader. After formally requesting to celebrate Confirmation, young people will begin Immediate Preparation for the Sacrament. 

Immediate Preparation

• Immediate Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will begin with the young person making a Profession of Faith. Young people will participate in 4 to 5 at-church sessions with their small group where they will explore the Sacrament of Confirmation specifically and prepare to celebrate the Sacrament!