FAQ’s of Confirmation

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about making the Sacraments in our Parish

Q – What is the Sacramental Program process?

A- After you complete the Enrolment form and have returned it to the Parish office with the Child’s Birth Certificate and Baptism, the Sponsors Confirmation Certificate and Payment receipt, you will receive a welcome email. This email includes all the important dates and information you will need for the Sacramental Program. The first event will be a Parent Encounter with the Parish Priest. The Sacramental Program begins in February each year and runs until November.

Q- What are the Sacraments being made?

A- We do our Sacramental Program in a slightly different order to some other Catholic Churches.  These means all 3 Sacraments are made in the same year, which has been tried and tested and has works well in our Parish. We do Confirmation, followed by Reconciliation and Holy Communion. To make your Holy Communion you MUST have made your Reconciliation prior. But that is the only Sacrament with a "pre requisite" in this program, besides being BAPTISED before starting the program.  So if your child would like to make Confirmation this year but cannot commit to making both the Reconciliation and Holy Communion- they can join the program and make the other 2 sacraments the following year.

Q - Who can be a Sponsor?

A- We follow the policies of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, and as such a Sponsor can be anyone over 16 years old, that is NOT the child’s parent, and has completed their Confirmation in a Catholic Church. Ideally it should be the child's God Parent, but we understand this isn't always feasible.

Q – The Sponsor has been Confirmed but has not got a Certificate, is this OK?

A- Unfortunately not. However the Godparent can request a reprint of the Confirmation Certificate by contacting the Parish they were Confirmed in. 

Q – What is the cost?

A – Each Sacrament (First Communion, Confirmation and Penance) cost $50 each - so a total of $150 for the program in it's entirety.

Q – Can an adult be Confirmed?

A – Of course, we welcome all ages to be Confirmed, the process of Sacramental Preparation is a little different. We ask that you contact the Parish Office for further details.

Q – My chosen Sponsor comes from another Country/State, do they need to be physically present?

A – No, they we will still need all paperwork from the Sponsor to be officially listed as a Sponsor and the person who “stands in” for the Sponsor needs to be Baptised in a mainstream Christian Faith and produce a Baptismal Certificate.

Q - Can my student partake in only 1 Sacrament?

A- Yes, we recognise we do our Sacraments in a different order to some other Catholic Churches. So if you have done one/some Sacraments eg - Reconciliation & Holy Communion at another Church. You can join us in doing Confirmation.  Please fill in the form and in the bottom section, write which part of the program you will be taking part in, add which sacraments have been already done and add their certificates to the email. If not doing the program in its entirety - each Sacrament is $50 

Q - What is the format of the Program

A - The program is done in "workshops" held after 10am Mass at Mary Mother of Mercy with work booklets or online courses. Most workshops run for 20-30 mins. While we understand that families are very busy, but if you make the commitment to do the Sacramental Program we ask you to commit to attending "most" of the workshops to ensure you and your child understands what is being undertaken. 

Term 1 - Involves 2 parent meetings done with the Parish Priest in groups and a welcome Mass.

Term 2 - Confirmation- students workshops and either a work booklet or online course work and Confirmation Liturgy.

Term 3- Reconciliation- parent workshop, student workshop and either a work booklet or online course work and Reconciliation Liturgy.

Term 4 - Holy Communion - student workshops and Holy Communion Mass.