Confirmation/First Communion celebrations with Bishop Bolen 
Information for parishes
Confirmation/First Communion celebrations with Bishop Bolen
Parking: Please designate and clearly mark a parking spot near the church for the Bishop. Due to carrying vestments, mitre and crosier, etc., therefore two or three loads, he greatly appreciates having quick and easy access to the Church to prepare for the celebration.
Lunches: Please avoid fish or mark it very clearly as Bishop Don has a serious allergy to fish.
Rehearsal: Candidates for the sacraments are very young so rehearsing the rite of both sacraments with them is essential so they will be comfortable and better able to enter into the celebration.
Readings, Intentions: Given the age of the candidates, we strongly encourage having the readings proclaimed by adults. The celebration can be made more special for the candidates by including them in the processional, having them be gift bearers, and reading intentions if they are capable.
- When Confirmation/First Communion is celebrated on Sunday, the readings of the day are used. Readings to be used for weekdays are attached.
- Some suggestions for appropriate psalms are given. These are suggestions only.
- Suggestions for Prayers of the Faithful are attached.
Information to be provided to Bishop Don prior to the celebration:
- If the parish does not have the oil for anointing, please inform the Bishop.
- Will the Lord Have Mercy and Gloria be spoken or sung?
- The normal practice at the parish for Eucharistic Ministers and the distribution of Holy Communion.
- If there are candidates for Reaffirmation of Faith –suggested ritual for reaffirmation is attached.
- How the recessional will be organized.
Celebration:
Red vestments are to be worn at all celebrations.
Ribbons in the Sacramentary, for weekday celebrations, set to Confirmation ( p 1126 ff in the New Missal) for prayers and Preface (Holy Spirit 1 or 11, p.1331 or 1334)
Procession: Candidates may be included in the processional or be already seated in the front pews. Candidates are too young to be seated as a group without adults. Sponsors may be seated directly behind or with the candidates and families.
If possible, have the candidates seated together during the homily so they can focus on the Bishop more easily. They will return to sit with parents or sponsors during the remainder of the celebration.
Sprinkling Rite: The sprinkling rite, a reminder and renewal of our Baptism, is particularly appropriate for the Easter season and the celebration of sacraments of initiation. That being said, it is not required. If the sprinkling rite is part of the celebration, please have holy water and aspergillum (sprinkler) available. If there is a large congregation the priest is to assist with the rite. A suitable hymn or musical accompaniment is appropriate at this time.
The Homily:
The questions Bishop Don will ask the candidates will centre on the Paschal Mystery, the Life, Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Sending of the Holy Spirit. Questions will focus on
- what Jesus did during his ministry,
- what he taught,
- the signs he worked,
- what led people to follow him.
- what happened the night before he died (story of the Last Supper)
- what happened three days after he died
- what happened after that (Ascension and Pentecost)
- ideally catechesis would introduce them in a simple way to the Trinity
There is no need for candidates to know the gifts of the Holy Spirit
Presentation of the candidates for anointing: Following the Liturgy of the Word candidates are presented to the Bishop. (Rite of Confirmation is attached)
- The presentation of the Candidates will be based on form C with the Bishop wording the questions to suit the celebration. Follow the lead of the Bishop. A copy of form C has been attached.
- Have baptismal names clearly visible on the clothing of the candidates so the Bishop can call them by name during the rite.
- Each candidate is to lead his/her sponsor (and family if appropriate) to the front where the Bishop will be waiting to receive them.
- Candidates place their right hand on the staff alongside the Bishop’s hand.
- Sponsors place their right hand on the candidate’s right shoulder. Parents (families) may also come forward and place their hands on the candidates’ shoulders as space permits.
- A reasonable distance needs to be maintained between candidates to emphasize the solemnity of the anointing.
- Singing is permitted during the anointing but silence or soft music should be considered to allow the words of anointing to be heard. An appropriate hymn may follow immediately after the anointing.
If the parish wishes and the numbers allow, the newly initiated may gather around the altar for the Lord’s Prayer and the Sign of Peace, after which they return to their seats.
First Communion: Children will receive Communion for the first time. It is the norm of the Diocese to have Communion under both species. Candidates need to practice beforehand. As with the anointing at Confirmation, every effort should be made to honour the solemnity of the moment and to help children enter prayerfully into the celebration.
Recessional: Parish preference will dictate whether candidates are included in the recessional.
Eastern Rite Catholics: Children of the Eastern Rites will generally have been chrismated (confirmed) as infants. They are not to be confirmed again but may be invited to come forward with their peers to receive a blessing. Please have these children follow after the candidates and indicate, by crossing hands over their chests, that they are being blessed, not confirmed, by the Bishop.
Photographs: There is to be one designated photographer who may take pictures discreetly during the liturgical celebration. After the celebration itself all are welcome to take pictures with the Bishop. Cameras without flash are strongly encouraged.
Registration of Confirmation: Confirmations are to be registered in the parish where the sacrament is celebrated.
- Use Form C-RN (attached) refer to attached letter from chancery for details.
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