Confirmation Preparation Program

Our program, updated in Fall 2006, welcomes high-school students seriously interested in beginning to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The program will often take two years, but can be completed in more time or less. The Confirmation Liturgy takes place in the Fall.

The following components comprise the candidate's preparation. They are meant to be spread out over one's whole program. Click each component for a complete description. Click again to close.

  • Initial Commitment, simply made at one of a few Masses
    Each candidate for Confirmation shall make, only once and always in the fall of the beginning year, a commitment to pursue the program. This is done simply at a parish Mass. In the fall of 2007, any one of these Masses can be the one where this happens:

    • Sunday, October 28, 5 PM Mass, OR
    • Sunday, November 18, 5 PM Mass, OR
    • Sunday, December 9, 11:15 AM mass
    The plan is as follows. Come to the Mass and sit near the front of the church. When the call for candidates to come forward and to sign their names, each one comes and does that. After each Commitment Mass, there will be an optional information session held in the Parish Center for parents and students. These sessions will present an overview of the program, a chance to meet other 9th grade students and parents, an opportunity to meet the students' mentors, and a question and answer period.
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  • Having a Mentor (Guide/Advisor) through the program
    The mentor will take interest in the candidate's preparation over the course of the whole length of its time, up to the Confirmation celebration. From this arrangement should come the candidate's completed letter of intent / request for Confirmation. Students will be notified of the name and contact information of their mentor during October of the first year in the program.
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  • October Completion of a Choice Form for all the variously scheduled events of the coming year
  • Parent/Student Reflection Session
    At least one parent of the candidate must attend, at some time during the first year of the preparation period. In this school year, a few different formats are offered:

    • Reflection Session for Confirmation Parents; Led by Sister Marie LaBollita, with Father George Evans; the same session repeated twice; in St. Julia Parish Center; EITHER Sunday, January 13, 10-11 AM OR Sunday, March 30, 12:15-1:15 PM OR
    • A Personal Visit with one pastoral staff person of St. Julia Parish, either in the family's home or the Parish Center, at a mutually convenient time to be arranged.
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  • 1 Overnight Retreat (offered 1 time every year)
    Intended for every candidate, this well-received and long-established facet of the preparation is offered annually. It is designed to be completed once before Confirmation, preferably after the first year of preparation. If not attended in full, one additional 5-session mini-course must be completed. A retreat fee applies, to cover the special costs. The date of this event for this coming year is:

    • January 26-27, 2008, at Oakhurst Retreat House, Whitinsville, Ma. ($160 fee will be due for this.) Sat. morning through Sun. early afternoon. An information letter will be sent closer to the time of the retreat.
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  • 1 Workshop Series on the Mass (4 meetings and Masses)
    Called a "workshop" since it combines learning about Mass and then attending Mass in one session, this is required at some time during the course of the entire Confirmation program. This four-session series is led this year by Deacon David Greenfield, our deacon intern from Blessed John Seminary. Those desiring Confirmation in autumn of 2008 must have taken this workshop by spring of 2008. These schedules of the same offering are possible to choose in the 2007-2008 school year:

    • Sundays, Oct. 28; Nov. 4, 18; Dec. 2; 3:30 PM, including attendance together at the 5 PM Mass, and a brief discussion following that Mass; OR
    • Sundays, March 16, 30; April 6, 13; 3:30 PM, including attendance together at the 5 PM Mass, and a brief discussion following that Mass
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  • 3 Elected Mini-Courses (Each with 5 meetings)
    These need to be chosen and completed over the course of the entire program, and not necessarily in just one school year. Each mini-course typically consists of 5 sessions, except as otherwise indicated. Here are the choices in the school year 2007-2008 (presented in order of starting date):

    • Book Discussion Group, based on The Holy Longing by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser. Confirmation candidates are welcome as fellow readers or as just listeners/auditors in this group consisting mostly of parish adults. 5 Wednesday evenings, Oct. 17, 24, 31; Nov. 7, 14; 7:30-8:45 PM. Led by Fr. George Evans
    • The Rosary: Understanding and Praying It, Exploring its background in the Bible; Led by Tom Bell, 5 Sunday mornings, Oct. 21, 28; Nov. 4, 18; Dec. 2; 10-11:15 AM
    • Growing Spiritually: Not Just For Monks or Nuns, Learning About How Some Groups of Christians Have Prayed and Lived; Led by Seminarian Michael Parr, assisted by Fr. George Evans; 5 Wednesday evenings, Oct. 24; Nov. 7, 14, 28; Dec. 5; 7:30-8:45 PM
    • Jesus, The Bread of Life, Insights from John's Gospel, C. S. Lewis, Pope Benedict. Led by Viola Lynch; 5 Sunday evenings, Oct. 28; Nov. 4; Dec. 2, 9, 16; 6:00-7:15 PM
    • Gospel of John, in Scriptures-for-Teens Bible Study format; Led by Art Kluge; 5 Sunday evenings, Jan. 6, 13; Feb. 10; March 9, 16 [Snow date: March 30]; 6:00-7:15 PM
    • Christian Morality; Basic principles and reflections on living rightly as followers of Christ; Led by Mary Gilberto; 5 Sun. evenings, Jan. 6, 13, 27; Feb. 10; March 9 [Snow Date: March 16] 6-7:15PM
    • Making Progress: Becoming the Christian You Want To Be, Led by Tom Bell, 5 Sunday mornings, Jan. 6, 13; Feb. 3, 10; March 9 [Snow: March 16]; 10-11:15 AM
    • Christianity and Islam, Led by Carol Ritter; An adaptation of the study undertaken last year by St. Julia parishioners; an exploration of heritage, main beliefs and practices, both similarities and differences. 5 Wednesday evenings, Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6 [Snow date: Feb. 13]; 7-8:15 PM.
    • Baptism and Confirmation, What it means to be baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church; Led by Carol Ritter; 5 Sunday evenings, March 9, 16, 30; April 6, 13; 6-7:15 PM
    • Holy Week, The High Point of our Church's Year: Learning About and Attending the 3 Nights of Celebrations; Led by Fr. George Evans; 2 Monday evenings, March 10 & 17 at 7:30-8:45 PM; combined with 3 Holy Week evenings, March 20, 21, 22 at St. Julia Church at 7:30 PM onward.
    • About Sexuality: A Realistic Catholic Perspective, Team taught, Led by parishioners trained by Chastity Education Program; Contact Person: Christopher Connell (781-899-2611; parish office); 5 Sunday evenings, May 4, 18, 25; June 1, 8; 6-7:15 PM
    • Downtown Boston Catholic Heritage Tour: An All-In-One-Day Full Mini-Course on Highlights of Boston-area Catholic History and Life: After an early-morning introductory overview of basic information, this will be a day-long tour of important places in the life of Catholics in Boston. A visit to the sites of the earliest Masses and churches in Boston, to the Holy Cross Cathedral, to the first Catholic burial place, and to the Mission Church. Sat., March 29, meeting at St. Julia Church at 8:30 AM, returning at 4 PM. Led by Fr. George Evans and Sr. Marie LaBollita. Minimum Number: 5; Maximum Number: 10.
    • Youth Group Participation: Led by Jean Pelletier, Parish Youth Minister, and by Linda Russo, Master's Degree Candidate from Watertown. A chance for high-school youth of all grades to explore becoming involved in various aspects of the life of the parish and the Catholic Church. Participation will count as one mini-course for those who attend at least 6 meetings, all at 6-7:15 PM on these Sunday evenings throughout the year: Sept. 23; Oct. 21; Nov. 18; Dec. 2; Jan. 13; Feb. 10; March 9; April 6; May 4.
    • Altar Serving: Participation during the high-school years will count as one mini-course if performed steadily throughout preparation, with willingness to serve at various Sunday and other Masses, including some special celebrations in either church of the parish.
    • Archdiocesan Catholic Leadership Institute, in a Mon.-Fri. slot to be announced for the summer of 2007, with residence at a site within a few hours of driving distance (fee required; some financial assistance from the parish possible). This will count as 2 mini-courses, owing to length and depth of experience. Registration in advance is needed, as is advance personal planning to be free to attend.
    • Catholic-High-School Religion Courses: These count in place of the 3 mini-courses and the Workshop on the Mass, but these school courses need to be individually verified and approved, no earlier than at the end of 2 years of Catholic high school. Contact the parish's Religious Education Office. [Attendance at retreat and at 3 one-time sessions is still required, as is participation in the mentor-led activities.]
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  • 6 Elected 1-Time Sessions (service, Gens. of Faith, etc.)
    Six sessions need to be attended over the course of the whole program, but not necessarily in one school year. For this coming school year, here are the possibilities.

    • Pancake Breakfast, Throughout Sunday morning, November 4, 2007. Money raised supports the Thanksgiving Baskets made for poor families. This worthy cause has long been part of the St. Julia Confirmation Preparation experience. Those choosing this choose it just once during the years of preparation. Led by Mary Gilberto. [NOTE: Mini-courses or the Mass Workshop meeting on the same day cannot be skipped.]
    • Thanksgiving Basket Preparation, Sunday, November 18, 2007, 6-7:15 PM. Students gather to assemble, from food items donated by parishioners, Thanksgiving Baskets for distribution to poor families for the holiday. This has long been part of the St. Julia Confirmation Preparation experience. Those choosing this choose it once during the years of preparation. Led by Jean Pelletier, Youth Ministry Coordinator. [Mini-courses or the Mass Workshop meeting on this same day cannot be skipped.]
    • December 2007 Generations of Faith Event, for all parishioners and thus open to Confirmation candidates: Sunday, December 9, 2007 at either 12:15-2:45 PM or 6-7:30 PM (one time on that day, not both) (Meal is provided.)
    • Christmas Concert and Sing-Along, for all parishioners and thus open to Confirmation candidates: Sunday, December 23, 3:00 PM in St. Julia Parish Center
    • Sex Has A Pricetag: based on viewing an excellent video by Pam Stenzel, one addressing decision-making about the gift of sexuality; Led by Carol Ritter; Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7-8:30 PM
    • Preparing and Serving a Meal at Bristol Lodge: A one time session on Sunday, January 20th. Meet at 4:00pm at the Parish Center to caravan over to Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen in Waltham. Follow-up discussion and prayer at the Parish Center afterwards. Pick-up at 6:15 PM.
    • March 2008 Generations of Faith Event, for all parishioners and thus open to Confirmation candidates: Sunday, March 2, 2007 at either 12:15-2:45 PM or 6-7:15 PM (one time on that day, not both) (Meal is provided.)
    • Soup and Stations of the Cross, for all parishioners and thus open to Confirmation candidates: Friday, March 14, at 6 PM, meeting in St. Julia Church (Meal is provided.)
    During the year, additional Single Session events may become available to be attended and counted toward Confirmation preparation. Watch bulletin announcements for these opportunities.
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  • 1 Rehearsal / Reflection Session (Near Confirmation)

Although not listed above, weekly attendance at Sunday Mass is essential to the Confirmation candidate's preparation for this sacrament.

Some basic points about this revised program

  • The program is not more time-consuming than the previous program, but it involves more features. Besides the retreat, 40 meetings were required in the past; now there are 30, completed in various ways.
  • Volunteer teachers need not have to commit to an entire year of teaching.
  • The program is now more intentional (allowing for candidates' more conscious choice of program specifics and of the sacrament itself) and flexible (allowing various ways of "getting to goal": Confirmation).
  • Confirmation preparation for the high-school years is not structured by grade levels but by the scheduling choices of the candidates. Students of any high-school grade can take part in the different features of the program.
  • Candidates can take faster or slower approaches to Confirmation, depending on arrangement and completion of the program's features.
  • There is now more choice of class topics and times. Confirmation will hereafter be in fall annually, for prepared candidates of any grade.
  • Choices can be made as the program progresses, and not just at the start. The mentor's help to individual candidates can make it user-friendly.
  • Program choices for the year ahead should be made, in consultation with one's mentor, near the start of each school year. These choices, on a form sent to the Religious Education Office, can be changed in consultation with mentor as the year goes on.

These are the facets of the program

  • As before, at a parish Mass each new candidate for Confirmation will simply and publicly express commitment to beginning the program.
  • A workshop on the Mass will have four sessions, each linked to attending a Mass, it will be offered more than once during each year.
  • Three mini-courses, of five sessions each, are to be chosen and completed.
  • The overnight retreat, on a Saturday/Sunday each year, is a requirement. If it is not completed, one more mini-course must be chosen and completed.
  • Six one-time sessions must be chosen from many possibilities each year, including guest speakers and a few service opportunities, as well as Generations of Faith and some other events open to all the parish.
  • The mentor will help candidates explore Confirmation's meaning and help them prepare a statement of request for Confirmation, and will be a candidate's link to the program and will support each one's progress and program choices.
  • One session for parents of each candidate is required only once for each candidate, and it will be scheduled more than once every year. This may be fulfilled also by a home visit by a member of the parish staff.
  • A rehearsal, with reflection time, is to be completed close to Confirmation.
  • A record of each candidate's progress will be kept in the CRE Office, while each candidate should also keep a personal log of the same.