For manyChristians, their journey of faith includes confirmation. Confirmation was historically a necessary step in the journey of baptized Anglicans and is now optional. Still, many consider it to be an important sacrament of adult commitment to the Church and a way to reaffirm the gifts of the Holy Spirit conferred at baptism.
Children aged twelve and up are made ready for confirmation through several months of instruction in all things Anglican. Once this is completed and the responsibilities of life in the Anglican Communion are accepted, the confirmand is ready to receive the sacrament of confirmation. The Bishop presides at the Confirmation Service, and laying hands on the confirmand, prays:
"Strengthen, O Lord, your servant (name) with your Holy Spirit; empower him/her for your service; sustain him/her all the days of his/her life. Amen."
The Church encourages baptised people of all ages who find themselves at a significant turning point in their spiritual journey to solemnly renew their baptismal vows and receive the strengthening gifts of the Holy Spirit through the laying-on-of-hands by the bishop.
Not only is this sacramental rite appropriate for those baptised as children who are ready to make a personal, mature commitment to Christ and the Church, but also for adults who come into the Anglican Communion from another Christian tradition or are coming home to active church life after a time away. Depending on a person's circumstances the rite is variously known as Confirmation, Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows, or Reception into the Anglican Communion. At Holy Trinity Cathedral, adults seeking the Rites of Commitment are instructed separately by the Rector while the children attend Confirmation Class during the 9:15 a.m. services throughout the Fall and Spring.
For information about Confirmation for teens, contact The Ven. John Bailey at (604) 521-2511 or rector@shawcable.com.
For adults seeking the Rites of Commitment, contact the Rector, The Ven. John Bailey, through the Parish Office at 604 521-2511.
CONFIRMATION CLASS SCHEDULE 2010-11
Two classes are planned for this season – an older group preparing for confirmation during the Easter season 2011 and a younger group beginning preparation for the 2012 Easter Confirmation. The older group will make use of a curriculum designed in England of twenty sessions, fifteen prior to confirmation and five following confirmation. The younger group will meet at the same time and will focus on key figures in the Bible. The connecting theme between the two classes is Holiness. The classes will meet on Sunday morning between 9:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., prior to our common worship. Leadership will be provided by the parish clergy (The Reverend Christine Magrega and The Venerable John Bailey) as well as Alain-Michel Rocheleau, who is completing his preparation for ordination to the priesthood.
2010
- September 19, 26
- October 3, 17, 31
- November 14, 21
- December 5 (Candidates for Confirmation will be presented to the congregation at the 10 a.m. service today).
2011
- January 9, 16, 30
- February 13, 27
- March 6
- April 3
- May 1, 15
- June 5, 12, 19
