Sacrament of Confirmation Mass & Ceremony 2018
Saturday, May 19th
4 pm – Saint Julia Church
Celebrant: Bishop Robert Reed
Rehearsal & Dinner
Friday, May 18th
7-9pm – Saint Julia Church & Parish Center Hall
Registration for this year is now DUE! Please fill out a form and submit if you have not already done so.
Candidates in second year of preparation DO need to fill out a registration form again this year. Thank you!
CONFIRMATION PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS:
Over the course of two years, candidates will be expected to attend classes, attend one retreat, complete at least one service event per year (see details), and attend at least one Mentor Meeting per year. It is expected that candidates regularly attend Mass and adhere to all other Precepts of the Church according to their abilities. For the class component, candidates have two options:
1) Take FOUR courses covering all four topics
-or-
2) Take THREE courses & complete a Stewardship Project the spring of their confirmation year
Topics will rotate year to year in order to accommodate schedules.
In order to complete a course, candidates must not miss more than one class session. Make-up assignments will be given.
Extraordinary Circumstances:
Candidates in Catholic high school who regularly receive religious instruction will only be asked to complete one course, or a Stewardship project. They must also take part in a service event and Mentor Meeting once per year.
Candidates who would like to complete their preparation at home will be given home-schooling materials with which to complete the desired courses. A parent and/or sponsor must oversee this process. Service events and Mentor Meetings will still be required. Home-schooling options can also include a Stewardship Project.
Candidates with special circumstances may request individualized preparation according to their needs. Special circumstances may involve illness, learning disability, lack of family support or other situations at the discretion of the Formation Director.
Signing up for Courses:
While registration for the program will be handled through the Formation Office as usual, candidates will be expected to sign up for the courses they intend to take. Sign-ups will take place through Sign-Up Genius (links provided in Youth Ministry emails and online).
Service Events:
Service events may be attended at the parish, but can be completed through other organizations or independently. At the discretion of the Formation Director, events will be deemed proper service activities if they are direct Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy. Candidates must submit a written reflection for each service event indicating what the event was, which Work of Mercy they performed, and how they encountered Christ through this work.
Mentor Meetings:
Candidates will meet one-on-one each year of formation with the Formation Director or other trained adult mentor to discuss (among other things) their faith life, reasons for desiring Confirmation, ways to deepen their prayer life, and discern their talents and gifts. Mentor Meetings will usually take place on Sunday afternoons or weekdays after school, according to availability.
Stewardship Project:
“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Candidates in their second year of Formation may opt to complete a Stewardship Project during the winter/spring instead of taking a course. Working in conjunction with the Formation Director, candidates will discern their unique gifts and design their own project that reflects their personal commitment to use these gifts at the service of God and the Church. Proposals will be due by Feb 1st and must be approved by the Formation Director. They can be completed individually, or within a small group. Examples of Stewardship Projects could be:
1) Make a documentary about a personal service project
2) Serve as an assistant catechist
3) Host a prayer or service event for the parish
4) Serve as a liturgical musician/cantor/lector
5) Create a work of religious art/music
Stewardship Projects will be featured at the Rehearsal Dinner on May 18th, 2018. Candidates will prepare a brief presentation of their project to be given and/or displayed at this event.
