Confirmation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently asked questions about the Sacrament of Confirmation for students in their second year of Confirmation preparation.
Q. How should I prepare my child for their Confirmation?
A. As a family, attend Mass each week with your child. Here is a link for the All Saints Mass Schedule: https://allsaintsvachurch.org/praying/worship/
Pray every day with your child. Children must know the basic prayers of their Catholic faith.
Read the Bible with your child. All Saints especially encourages parents to read and discuss the Sunday readings with their family. Attend the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly with your child, particularly before the Confirmation.
Q. Who is the Confirmation coordinator at All Saints Church?
A. Vickie Taylor is the Confirmation coordinator. You can reach Vickie at 571-516-3152 or [email protected].
Q. What are the registration requirements for the sacrament of Confirmation?
A. The following information is required for a complete a Confirmation registration package:
Q. When is the Registration deadline?
A. The registration deadline for the 2023-2024 catechetical year is January 18, 2024. Please submit the complete registration package by the due date; this includes the (electronic or paper) registration application, the copies of the Baptismal and First Communion certificates, and the sacrament registration fee.
Q. How do I get the Confirmation registration application document?
A. Click on the Registration button under the Confirmation tab on the All Saints Religious Education webpage. https://www.allsaintsreligiouseducation.org/confirmation.html
Q. How do I submit my Confirmation registration documents?
A. Complete the online registration application and email the scanned copies of both sides of the Baptismal and First Communion certificates to Vickie Taylor at [email protected]. The Confirmation fee is due at the time of registration and can be paid via Stripe, the secure site used by All Saints Parish. Parents may also stop by the RE Office M-F 9-12, 1-4 to make a cash, check, or credit card payment. If parents are unable to submit forms electronically, they should call Vickie Taylor at 571-516-3152.
Q. What are the requirements of the Confirmation Sponsor?
A. Each candidate must choose one Confirmation Sponsor. The Confirmation Sponsor must:
The sponsor certificate is located in the Sponsor Information and Forms packet found in the Confirmation Folder.
If a candidate does not have an approved sponsor by this date, one may be assigned.
Q. Will there be a Confirmation retreat? Is it required? How do I sign up for a retreat?
A. A Confirmation retreat is required for all Confirmation candidates.
Q. What if I miss the Retreat?
A. Please contact Vickie Taylor, the Confirmation Coordinator, if your candidate is unable to attend the All Saints Confirmation Retreat.
Q. Does the Confirmation candidate have to choose a saint name?
A. Confirmation candidates choose one among the many deceased saints who lived their life in a way that the candidate sees as a great example of living in a Christ-like manner. Candidates must answer particular questions on the patron saint they want to choose for Confirmation. This question page is located in the Confirmation Folder.
Reliable sources of information are available, but not limited to, the parish library. There are also reliable Catholic sources on the Internet.
If a candidate does not receive approval for a selected patron saint by February 22, 2024, one may be assigned by the pastor.
Q. Will the Confirmation candidates have an interview with a priest?
A. All candidates will take a Confirmation test that may be followed by an interview in early spring 2024 with one of the parish priests or deacons to determine the readiness to receive the sacrament. Scheduling information for these interviews will be emailed as it becomes available. The interviews
will be held individually and they will be held in the Parish Activity Center. School attire is appropriate for the interviews. Study guides are located in the Resources and Additional Information Folder that will be emailed to families registered for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Q. When are the spring 2024 Confirmations?
A. Confirmation will be celebrated at All Saints Catholic Church on May 11, 2024, by Bishop Emeritus Paul Loverde. The Confirmation time will be emailed by the Confirmation Coordinator to all families of children registered for the sacrament.
Q. What are the expectations for attire for Confirmation?
A. Each Confirmation candidate will wear a Confirmation robe. These robes will be borrowed from All Saints Church and returned at the conclusion of the Confirmation reception.
Q. Can my family hire a Photographer/Videographer for Confirmation?
A. At their Confirmation, the confirmation candidates are receiving the Holy Spirit. This is first and foremost a sacred moment, therefore it is not appropriate to take pictures or video during the Confirmation. Professional videographers and photographers will not be permitted to set up any equipment, including tripods, to record or photograph the Confirmation.
Q. Can my family come early or stay after Confirmation to take pictures?
A. All Saints Parish and campus will be available for taking photos on Confirmation day. Additionally, Bishop Emeritus Loverde will be available for a photo during the reception.
Q. How should I prepare my child for their Confirmation?
A. As a family, attend Mass each week with your child. Here is a link for the All Saints Mass Schedule: https://allsaintsvachurch.org/praying/worship/
Pray every day with your child. Children must know the basic prayers of their Catholic faith.
Read the Bible with your child. All Saints especially encourages parents to read and discuss the Sunday readings with their family. Attend the sacrament of Reconciliation regularly with your child, particularly before the Confirmation.
Q. Who is the Confirmation coordinator at All Saints Church?
A. Vickie Taylor is the Confirmation coordinator. You can reach Vickie at 571-516-3152 or [email protected].
Q. What are the registration requirements for the sacrament of Confirmation?
A. The following information is required for a complete a Confirmation registration package:
- Completed registration application, due January 18, 2024
- Copy of BOTH SIDES of your child’s baptismal certificate, including the Church seal
- The full and current address of the Church of Baptism
- Copy of the child’s First Communion certificate, including the Church seal
- The full and current address of the Church of First Communion
- Registration fee of $100 (No child is denied sacraments due to an inability to pay. Please contact Vickie Taylor at 571-516-3152 or [email protected] for more information)
Q. When is the Registration deadline?
A. The registration deadline for the 2023-2024 catechetical year is January 18, 2024. Please submit the complete registration package by the due date; this includes the (electronic or paper) registration application, the copies of the Baptismal and First Communion certificates, and the sacrament registration fee.
Q. How do I get the Confirmation registration application document?
A. Click on the Registration button under the Confirmation tab on the All Saints Religious Education webpage. https://www.allsaintsreligiouseducation.org/confirmation.html
Q. How do I submit my Confirmation registration documents?
A. Complete the online registration application and email the scanned copies of both sides of the Baptismal and First Communion certificates to Vickie Taylor at [email protected]. The Confirmation fee is due at the time of registration and can be paid via Stripe, the secure site used by All Saints Parish. Parents may also stop by the RE Office M-F 9-12, 1-4 to make a cash, check, or credit card payment. If parents are unable to submit forms electronically, they should call Vickie Taylor at 571-516-3152.
Q. What are the requirements of the Confirmation Sponsor?
A. Each candidate must choose one Confirmation Sponsor. The Confirmation Sponsor must:
- Be a practicing Catholic
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Has received the Sacraments of Initiation
- If married, must be married in the Catholic Church
- NOT be the mother or father of the candidate to be confirmed
The sponsor certificate is located in the Sponsor Information and Forms packet found in the Confirmation Folder.
If a candidate does not have an approved sponsor by this date, one may be assigned.
Q. Will there be a Confirmation retreat? Is it required? How do I sign up for a retreat?
A. A Confirmation retreat is required for all Confirmation candidates.
- Candidates that are in 8th grade may choose to attend the overnight retreat at Hunting Ridge Retreat Center in Winchester, VA or the day-long retreat at Renaissance Montessori School in Nokesville, VA. Students attending the overnight retreat will travel to and from the retreat center via chartered bus. Students attending the day-long retreat will travel to and from the school via parent drivers. Please see the Retreat Permission Form for specific dates and times for 8th grade boys and 8th grade girls.
- Candidates that are in high school will have a one day-only retreat. This retreat will be held at Renaissance Montessori School in Nokesville, VA. Please see the Retreat Permission Form for specific dates and times for high school boys and high school girls.
Q. What if I miss the Retreat?
A. Please contact Vickie Taylor, the Confirmation Coordinator, if your candidate is unable to attend the All Saints Confirmation Retreat.
Q. Does the Confirmation candidate have to choose a saint name?
A. Confirmation candidates choose one among the many deceased saints who lived their life in a way that the candidate sees as a great example of living in a Christ-like manner. Candidates must answer particular questions on the patron saint they want to choose for Confirmation. This question page is located in the Confirmation Folder.
Reliable sources of information are available, but not limited to, the parish library. There are also reliable Catholic sources on the Internet.
If a candidate does not receive approval for a selected patron saint by February 22, 2024, one may be assigned by the pastor.
Q. Will the Confirmation candidates have an interview with a priest?
A. All candidates will take a Confirmation test that may be followed by an interview in early spring 2024 with one of the parish priests or deacons to determine the readiness to receive the sacrament. Scheduling information for these interviews will be emailed as it becomes available. The interviews
will be held individually and they will be held in the Parish Activity Center. School attire is appropriate for the interviews. Study guides are located in the Resources and Additional Information Folder that will be emailed to families registered for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Q. When are the spring 2024 Confirmations?
A. Confirmation will be celebrated at All Saints Catholic Church on May 11, 2024, by Bishop Emeritus Paul Loverde. The Confirmation time will be emailed by the Confirmation Coordinator to all families of children registered for the sacrament.
Q. What are the expectations for attire for Confirmation?
A. Each Confirmation candidate will wear a Confirmation robe. These robes will be borrowed from All Saints Church and returned at the conclusion of the Confirmation reception.
Q. Can my family hire a Photographer/Videographer for Confirmation?
A. At their Confirmation, the confirmation candidates are receiving the Holy Spirit. This is first and foremost a sacred moment, therefore it is not appropriate to take pictures or video during the Confirmation. Professional videographers and photographers will not be permitted to set up any equipment, including tripods, to record or photograph the Confirmation.
Q. Can my family come early or stay after Confirmation to take pictures?
A. All Saints Parish and campus will be available for taking photos on Confirmation day. Additionally, Bishop Emeritus Loverde will be available for a photo during the reception.