Responsibilities of Parents and Sponsors

The Responsibilities of Parents

are the primary educators of their children
are responsible for initiating their children into the sacramental life
serve as models for their child by being committed Christians
worship with their families regularly
nurture their child in faith
should encourage their child to reflect on and thoughtfully consider the decision to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
are asked to attend meetings, programs, and prayer services that are planned to help their child prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation
are no longer permitted as Confirmation sponsors for their own child
are asked to assist their child with the immediate preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation through prayer, study, and Christian service
can emphasize the importance of the Sacrament of Confirmation by taking an active part in the celebration of Confirmation
should stress the initiation aspect of the Sacrament by encouraging their children to continue learning more their faith
should help their child in understanding that the Confirmation service project is the beginning of a life committed to Christian service

The Responsibilities of Sponsors

support the person to be Confirmed in their commitment to a Christian life
must know the candidate and be willing to serve as a strong and long-lasting Christian influence on the candidate
must belong to the Catholic Church and be fully initiated themselves, having received Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist
should be sufficiently mature in their own faith commitment
may be either male or female for any candidate
must obtain a statement of eligibility from the pastor of their parish
may be a baptismal Godparent, thus emphasizing more clearly the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation
may help the candidate prepare for Confirmation
may assist the candidate in choosing and carrying out the candidate’s service project commitment
must be reasonably informed on current church teachings
may accompany the candidate to special liturgies and preparation programs
may not be the parents of the candidate
can encourage the candidate by growing in a faith relationship
may assist in determining the candidate’s readiness for the Sacrament
may present the candidate to the minister of Confirmation