WHAT IS A SPONSOR?
The role of sponsorship for the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation is a life long relationship. It is a relationship based on faith, support and dependability. The sponsor may be male or female, may be the Baptismal sponsor, may not be the parent of the candidate. The sponsors and candidates begin their journey together this year. You re called to a great honor in being a sponsor. Here are some important points to consider as you help your candidate on his/her journey.
*As a sponsor, at Confirmation you witness the commitment to Christ which your candidate is making. You will present him/her to the Bishop (or his representative) and stand with him/her at the anointing with Chrism.
*As a sponsor, you are meant to be a model of how a person of faith lives in today’s world.
You are called to be an example of someone striving to follow Jesus and His teachings, and to be a mentor. A mentor is like a coach – someone who gives advice, challenges your candidate to try harder and helps develop talents and overcome bad habits.
THE ROLE OF SPONSOR
The sponsor is :
| a. | A model of how a person of Catholic Christian faith lives in today’s world. |
| b. | A friend who knows the candidate, and can witness to the maturing faith of the candidate before the community. |
| c. | A guide, confidant, and listener. |
| d. | A learner who is interested in his/her own growth as he/she walks the faith journey with the candidate. |
| e. | One who will continue after Confirmation to walk the faith journey with the candidate and invite him/her into fuller participation in parish life and service. |
EXPECTATIONS OF SPONSORS
| a. | To attend meetings, workshops or training sessions for sponsors. |
| b. | Participate in all Liturgical Rites of the Confirmation process. |
| c. | To meet monthly with the candidate to encourage and assist the candidate to grow in knowledge, in prayer, in service, in worship, and in participation in the Parish Community. |
| d. | To turn in a written report stating the growth witnessed during the period of preparation. |
QUALIFICATIONS OF SPONSORS
| a. | The sponsor should be a mature person of faith and a Confirmed Catholic in good standing. |
| b. | The sponsor should reflect Catholic Christian values in word, worship, and service. |
| c. | The sponsor may be male or female and may be the Baptismal Sponsor but may not be the parent of the candidate. |