Confirmation FAQ
Q. How should I prepare my child for their Confirmation?
A. As a family, go to Mass each week (in person or virtual from home) 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 he is Confirmed.
Q. Who is the Confirmation coordinator at All Saints Church?
A. Vickie Taylor is the Confirmation coordinator. She can be reached at 703-393-2142 ext. 249 or vtaylor@allsaintsva.org.
Q. What are the registration requirements for the sacrament of Confirmation?
A. To completely register your child for Confirmation, the following is needed:
- Completed registration application, due January 15, 2021
- 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 if there is an inability to pay. Please contact Vickie Taylor at 703-393-2142 ext. 249 or vtaylor@allsaintsva.org for more information).
Q. When is the Registration deadline?
A. The registration deadline for the 2020-2021 catechetical year is January 15, 2021. The electronic registration form, the copies of the Baptismal and First Communion certificates, and the sacrament registration fee must all be submitted to complete the registration.
Q. How do I get the Confirmation registration form 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 form and email the scanned copies (or photos) of both sides of the Baptismal and First Communion certificates to: Vickie Taylor at vtaylor@allsaintsva.org. Payment can be made at the time of registration 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 not able to submit forms electronically, they should call Vickie Taylor at 703-393-2142 ext. 249.
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
- Have received the Sacraments of Initiation
- If married, they must be married in the Catholic Church
- NOT be the mother or father of the candidate to be confirmed
The sponsor certificate will be found in the Section 2 Confirmation Sponsor Folder that will be emailed to families registered for the sacrament of Confirmation.
If a candidate does not have an approved sponsor by this date, one may be assigned.
The candidate and sponsor will then be able to select from a list of activities different ways to share their faith and grow together in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
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. In spring 2021, Confirmation candidates will have two options for their retreat:
- One day, in-person Confirmation retreat
- Online virtual retreat for Confirmation
Q. What is the format / location of the in-person Confirmation retreat?
A. The Confirmation candidates will be separated by grade and gender. Each retreat will be held during the day at Linton Hall School in Bristow, VA.
The high school candidates’ retreat will be held on March 6, 2021.
The 8th grade boys’ retreat will be held on March 13, 2021.
The 8th grade girls’ retreat will be held at on March 20, 2021.
Further information about the in-person Confirmation retreats will be emailed to families who are registered for the sacrament and the in-person retreat.
Q. How will in-person Confirmation retreats be held in light of coronavirus?
A. The retreat participants will be placed in groups (pods). We will make every possible effort to keep these pods distanced from each other and the groups will not mix for the duration of the retreat. All Saints Church will follow all safety protocols that are in place at the time, including but not limited to, the wearing of masks.
So that we can adhere to the current social-distancing protocols, each candidate will be expected to provide their own transportation both to and from the Confirmation retreat center at the designated start and completion times.
Further information about the in-person Confirmation retreats and safety procedures will be emailed to families who are registered for the sacrament and the in-person retreat.
Q. What is the format / location of the online Confirmation retreat?
A. Each Confirmation candidate that is signed up for the virtual, online retreat will be given the link/login credentials for the retreat. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
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 write and submit a report on the patron saint they want to choose for Confirmation, being sure to include the particular information as listed on the Saint Report Guide. This guide will be found in the Saint Folder that will be emailed to families registered for the sacrament of Confirmation.
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 March 15, 2021, one may be assigned by the pastor.
Q. Will the Confirmation candidates have an interview with a priest?
A. All candidates will have an interview in early spring 2021 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 in small groups and they will be held in the Parish Activity Center where social-distancing protocols will be followed. School attire is appropriate for the interviews. Study guides will be found in the Resources Folder that will be emailed to families registered for the sacrament of Confirmation.
Q. When are the Spring 2021 Confirmations?
A. It is our hope that Confirmation will be celebrated at All Saints Catholic Church on May 21 and May 22, 2021, by Bishop Michael Burbidge. Each Confirmation will have its own designated rehearsal. All Saints Parish will be developing the spring sacrament procedures once the safety protocols for spring 2021 are known. Further information about the Confirmation date will be emailed in advance of Confirmation to all families of children registered for the sacrament.
Q. How will Confirmation be held in light of coronavirus?
A. All Saints Parish will be developing the spring sacrament procedures once the safety protocols for spring 2021 are known. Further information about Confirmation and safety procedures will be emailed in advance of Confirmation to all families of children registered for the sacrament.
Q. What are the expectations for attire for Confirmation?
A. It is our hope that each Confirmation candidate will wear a Confirmation robe. These would be borrowed from All Saints Church and returned at the conclusion of Confirmation. All Saints Parish will be developing the spring sacrament procedures once the safety protocols for spring 2021 are known. Further information about attire and robes will be emailed in advance of Confirmation to all families of children registered for the sacrament.
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 will be developing the spring sacrament procedures once the safety protocols for spring 2021 are known. Further information will be emailed in advance of Confirmation to all families of children registered for the sacrament.