• Register at SSM as a parishioner
• Register for religious ed (Axis for Gr. 10,  Summit for Gr. 11 & 12 or Catholic school or home school)
• Register for Ignite. $240 fee includes $60 class fee plus $180 overnight retreat fee (bus transportation, meals, and lodging).
• Request a reduced rate for financial hardship or if your teen is attending a retreat other than the SSM retreat.
• Email your teen's photo to help the Ignite Team learn who's who.

Baptism at St. Stephen Martyr

• If your teen was baptized at St. Stephen, Martyr, simply email Ignite Records Coordinator your teen’s name and baptism date.

Baptism at another Catholic Church

• If your teen was baptized at a Catholic church other than SSM, contact that church to request an Official Copy of your teen’s Sacramental Record which includes both Baptism and First Eucharist information (date, church, city and state). 
  • The Official Sacramental Record remains at the church your teen was baptized for the rest of their life. 
  • It is not the certificate you have at home. 
  • An Official Sacramental Copy must include both front and back sides and have a raised seal and be issued within six months of Confirmation. 
  • If the church of Baptism does not have your teen's First Eucharist notation, then you must also call the church they received First Eucharist and ask they provide that information to the church your their baptism. The church of baptism can then send the Official Copy to SSM with the First Eucharist notation on the back.
  • Churches get this request frequently, so they’ll know exactly what to do. Ask that it be mailed to SSM at the address below.

Baptism at US Military Installation

• If your teen’s baptism was performed on a U.S. Military Installations, request an official copy of Military Sacramental Records from the Archdiocese of Military Services. Request that it be mailed to SSM at the address below. 

Non-Catholic Baptism

• If your teen has a non-Catholic baptismal certificate, mail a copy to SSM or email it to Ignite Records Coordinator. Provide the date, church, and city and state they received their First Eucharist. 

Missing Sacraments

• If your teen has not yet been baptized and received Reconciliation and Eucharist, contact Youth Journey Coordinator.

At least one parent must attend the: 

• Ignite Parent Session on Sunday, October 6th from 4:15 - 5:15 PM.

• Confirmation Interview Sign up for a 15-minute Confirmation Interview between 6:00 - 8:15 PM on Thursday, October 17, or Tuesday October 22. 

• Parent & Candidate Orientation and Discernment Session
• Concurrent enrollment in Religious Ed program
• Confirmation Intake Interview with Candidates and Parent(s)
• Confirmation Catechesis
• Retreat 
• Selection of sponsor
• Assessment of Readiness to receive the Sacrament (Letter of Intent)
• Confirmation Practice    

The beginning of the Confirmation preparation is known as the Inquiry Phase.  During this phase, the parents and the candidate should discern the teen's readiness and disposition to receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. An essential requirement of the Inquiry Phase is an interview with the pastor or his designated catechist.  During the 15 minute interview, the pastor or catechist will meet with the candidate and his/her parent to discuss the candidate's:

• spiritual development

• understanding of the Catholic faith, and 

• regular participation at Sunday Mass.

Knowledge of the faith is important, but more important is a proper disposition demonstrating a willingness or eagerness to growing closer to Jesus through the sacrament of Confirmation.

A sponsor is a spiritual mentor who will coach you over the next several months on the art of living a Catholic life. The current Rite of Confirmation recommends that the sponsor for Confirmation be the baptismal godparent. Sponsors must be:

• At least 16 years old (unless the pastor has granted an exemption for a just cause)

• A Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist

• Not bound by a canonical penalty

• Leading a life of faith befitting the role to be undertaken (for example, regularly attending Sunday Mass; if married, be in a marriage recognized by the Catholic Church)

• Not a parent of the confirmand

You should choose your sponsor now and have conversations with him/her over the next several months.

• Provide your sponsor's name and email to Ignite Records Coordinator as soon as possible.

• Give your sponsor the Sponsor Attestation form. After the sponsor fills it out, it must be signed by their parish priest. The sponsor then mails it to the address below or emails it to Ignite Records Coordinator.

Since Confirmation stands in relationship to Baptism, any discussion of a Confirmation name must be placed in that context. The current Rite of Confirmation recommends that the sponsor for Confirmation be the baptismal godparent. It presumes that the candidate for Confirmation will be addressed by his or her baptismal name. Nowhere does the rite mention the custom of choosing a separate Confirmation name; neither does the Code of Canon Law. Only in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is there mention of a rite whereby a catechumen may receive a “baptismal name.” 

While the affirmation of one’s baptismal name is thus preferred, one could choose another saint’s name or a mystery of the Lord to be pronounced by the bishop in addition to—not in place of—one’s baptismal name (e.g., “John Sebastian Smith” or “Jane of the Incarnation Smith”). There is no restriction as to the sex (male or female) of the saint, just as in many cultures baptismal names may be combined (e.g., “Peter Mary” or “Ann Daniel”).

The custom of choosing a patron saint or taking an additional name for the Rite of Confirmation should be accompanied by catechesis regarding the communion of saints. The candidate should demonstrate knowledge of the saint or mystery of the Lord that he or she has chosen. It should be emphasized that if a name is chosen, it is to honor a saint or mystery of the Lord, rather than to honor a loved one.

Email Ignite Records Coordinator sharing your choice of confirmation name:

• Baptism Name
• Saint's Name
• Mystery of the Lord

Candidates and their sponsors (or proxy) must attend Confirmation Practice on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM  at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

Provide your name and email to Ignite Records Coordinator.  

• At least 16 years old (unless the pastor has granted an exemption for a just cause)

• A Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist6

• Not bound by a canonical penalty

• Leading a life of faith befitting the role to be undertaken (for example, regularly attending Sunday Mass; if married, be in a marriage recognized by the Catholic Church)

• Not a parent of the confirmand.

A sponsor is a spiritual mentor who will coach the conferment over the next several months on the art of living a Catholic life. You will meet with your confirmand over the next several months to guide them along their spiritual journey.

Confirmation Practice is Saturday, March 22 at 1:00 PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, located at 621 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322

Confirmation is Wednesday, April 2 at 7:00 PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.