January 2026 Mass
Dear Confirmation Families,
As you know, Confirmation Mass will be taking place on Thursday, January 22, at 6:30 PM at St. Patrick. Below you will find key information about various aspects of that evening. Please take note of the action item, and review the remaining information and share the pertinent details with your child. It is also a good idea to forward this information to their sponsor, as well.
Action Item:
Please complete the following RSVP form by Friday, 1/16 so that we know how many seats to reserve for your family at Confirmation Mass. We will be reserving a pew for each candidate, their sponsor, and any family members to sit together that evening: CONFIRMATION MASS RSVP FORM
Confirmation Mass Overview:
Early Arrival for Candidates and Sponsors (6:00 PM):
We do not have a rehearsal for Confirmation Mass. Rather, we ask that all candidates and their sponsors arrive early that evening at 6:00 PM. Upon arrival, each sponsor/candidate pair needs to check in with us in the gathering space upon arrival for instructions. Family members may arrive anytime before 6:30 to join their candidate and sponsor in their reserved pew.
Reserved Seating in the Church:
A pew (or pews) will be reserved for your family to sit together at Mass. Your candidate and their sponsor will be seated at the end of your pew. When it's time for the Rite of Confirmation, Bishop Boyea will come through the aisles and stop at each pew to anoint the candidates- all the candidate and sponsor need to do is stand up!
Pew assignments will be shared with you the day before Confirmation Mass (not any earlier, because there are often last minute changes or adjustments to be made), and we will also have greeters and copies of the seating map available to help you find your seats that evening.
Dress Code:
All candidates should dress in modest attire that is suitable for Church and reflects reverence for this special celebration. For the young women: a dress, skirt, or dress pants are all acceptable options (dresses/skirts should be an appropriate length for Church). Young men should wear a collared shirt- ties are a nice addition, but not required.
Group Photos with the Bishop:
Immediately after Mass, we will take group photos of all the newly confirmed youth with the Bishop. We'll ask everyone to remain seated at the end of the closing song so that we can facilitate this as efficiently as possible. Please note that the Bishop does not typically take individual photos with the candidates.
Reception After Mass:
We are hosting a reception in McCann Hall (downstairs from the Church) after Mass. All are invited to come enjoy cake and other light refreshments! If you are making alternative plans for your family to celebrate elsewhere, you can expect that Mass and group photos will be wrapped up by 8:00 PM.
What Happens During The Mass:
The Mass will proceed as any other Mass does, with the following additions for the Rite of Confirmation.
Presentation of the Candidates: After the Gospel is read, Fr. Mathias will present the candidates to Bishop Boyea. Candidates may be asked to stand, but will not need to do anything else. Bishop will then give his homily.
Renewal of Baptismal Promises: After his Homily, the Bishop will lead the candidates in renewing their baptismal promises (candidates will respond "I do" to each question).
Laying of Hands: The Bishop will extend his hands over the group of candidates and say a prayer over them.
Anointing with Chrism: Finally, Bishop will proceed through the aisles, stopping at each candidate to anoint them with chrism in the following manner. (This information will be printed out for the candidates and sponsors to reference during Mass).
As Bishop approaches where the candidate is standing at the end of their pew, Sponsor will place their right hand on candidate's right shoulder.
When Bishop is standing in front of the candidate, Sponsor will say: "Bishop, may I present [candidate's Saint name]".
The Bishop will make a sign of the cross with chrism on the candidate's forehead and say: "[Saint name], be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit".
The newly confirmed will respond: "Amen".
The Bishop will say: "Peace be with you".
The newly confirmed will respond: "And with your spirit."
After these things take place, Mass will continue in the usual fashion with General Intercessions, Offertory, and Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Please let me know if you have any questions!