[NYer]

From EWTN ..

As a result, the preparation and reception of the Sacraments of Initiation throughout the Diocese of Phoenix will be: Baptism: in Infancy, Reconciliation: Second Grade, Confirmation and First Eucharist: Third Grade.

The Restored Order of Sacraments of Initiation - Diocese of Phoenix

[ContraryMary]

The Church in the U.S. has seen a real drop in the number of young people receiving Confirmation. When my daughter was confirmed there were around 80 kids receiving the sacrament. Five years later when my son was confirmed the number was 40. Yet their First Communion classes were comparable in number.

As the Church has pushed Confirmation later and later -- in my diocese it's tenth grade -- it has become more difficult to get the kids involved. And the requirements have become more stringent. Recently in my parish the service hours requirement went from 24 hours over two years -- the Confirmation program is two years long -- to 60 hours over the two years with 30 hours per year.

I have known parents who opted out of having their kids confirmed because they weren't able to make the necessary time commitment. The Church has made it difficult for parents and kids alike. I was Confirmed in fourth grade; that it makes a difference in kids' lives whether their confirmed in fourth grade or tenth grade is not borne out.