Confirmation Requirements
2007 / 2008
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Confirmation 2008 at St. Rose of Lima Parish will be offered for all students 8th – 12th grade that are interested. These students must exhibit: knowledge of their faith, commitment to practicing their religion, and dedication to their Catholic community.
From the catechism 1309:
Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy spirit – his action, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.
This year Confirmation is considered a satellite program to the weekly Life Teen format. Each student will be provided with a folder with all information, schedules, and forms. A mandatory informational Meeting will be held for all students and at least one of their parents grade 8-12 who wish to make their Confirmation in 2008 on Sunday Morning, between the masses (9:50 – 10:20) August 19, 2007 in the Jo Call Room. There will be another meeting in Spanish after the 11:00 A.M. Mass.
In keeping with spirit of Confirmation, the following requirements are designed to fulfill the need for knowledge of our Catholic Faith, awareness of church practices and laws, and activities to support participation as a mature member of our parish community. Students and parents will sign a paper that states that they understand and will fulfill the requirements of the program.
I. Attendance at Confirmation classes: There will be 7 classes of 2 hr blocks scheduled monthly. These classes directly relate to preparation for Confirmation. Each class will be offered twice (once on a Tuesday 7-9 and once on a Saturday 9-11) and the subjects covered will be:
1. Basic Catechism (September)
2. The Seven Sacraments(October)
3. Morality and the Ten Commandments (November)
4. General History of the Catholic Church (December)
5. Gifts of the Holy Spirit, virtues, works of mercy (January)
6. Miracles, angels, demons, and saints – Lives of Faith (February)
7. In-depth look at Confirmation as a sacrament (March)
These classes fulfill the knowledge of our Faith commitment. There will be a test scheduled December 15th at 9:00am after class 4, right before Christmas Break. Additionally, all students are expected to participate in Life Teen on Sunday evenings.
II. Mass and Holy Days of Obligation: The Mass and Eucharist are the core of our Catholic faith. The obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses and to avoid unnecessary work on those days is a responsibility for all Catholics. We expect all of our Confirmands to understand and accept the rule, which is based on the Third Commandment. In the United States the Holy Days of Obligation in 2007/2008 are:
August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
November 1 All Saints Day
December 8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 25 Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas Day)
January 1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
March 23 Easter Sunday
May 1 Ascension of the Lord (celebrated Sunday, May 4)
III. Confirmation Retreat and Rite of Enrollment: There will be a Confirmand Retreat on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 8:00am. The Rite of Enrollment will follow at the 5:30 Mass. This is required for all Confirmands. This is an opportunity for the student to understand Confirmation and to ask any questions. (This retreat will center around the seven tenets of social Catholic teaching, moral law, and social justice)
IV. Homework : Reading assignments: Each student will be required to read one of the Gospels and “Living the Mass: How one hour a week can change your life” by Fr. Dominic Grassi and Joe Paprocki, Both assignments have worksheets to be completed. Gospel worksheets are due by December 15, 2007, “Living the Mass” worksheets are due by Feb. 23, 2008.
V. General Retreats: All Confirmands are should attend any of our parish’s retreats that are offered for his/her grade level.
VI. Confirmation Interview: A Confirmation Interview is required for all Confirmands. These interviews will be held on in February or March (dates subject to Fr. James’ calendar)
VII. Baptismal Certificates: Baptism is necessary before one can receive any other sacrament. Every Confirmand should know the Church in which they were baptized. All church records are kept at the church of Baptism. All Confirmands who were not baptized at St. Rose must submit a copy of their Baptismal Certificate by November 30, 2007.
VIII. Sacrament of Reconciliation: All students are required to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during both the seasons of Advent and Lent. We will be celebrating this sacrament during the communal penance dates here at St. Rose. All Confirmands are required to attend on both these dates. Additionally, it is desired that all Confirmands and their sponsors be in a state of grace at the time of Confirmation. Therefore, there will be a Penance Service after the Confirmand/Sponsor rehearsal.
IX. Saint’s Name & Report : A name identifies us and tells others who we are. A saint research report will be required of each student. Students must submit their report by January 22, 2008. The Confirmands must explain their choice and report information about the saint that they have chosen. Each saint is known for particular qualities or virtues. The Confirmands will explain how, by imitating this saint, he or she can become a better Christian. You may use our church library, the Public Library, order a book, or the Internet, using such sites as: www.catholiconline.org, http://www.catholic-forum.com/SAINTS/indexsnt.htm, http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/byname.asp, http://www.theworkofgod.org/saints/. Please note that should you choose to use the internet, cutting and pasting is not an option. Plagiarism will be addressed and dealt with accordingly.
X. Sponsors: According to the new Code of Canon Law, Baptismal godparents are preferred as Confirmation Sponsors because of the unity of Baptism and Confirmation. This assumes the godparents are practicing the Catholic Faith. However, other practicing Catholics may be chosen as Confirmation sponsors. The Confirmands will be required to write a letter to their sponsor detailing why they chose him or her and what will be expected of them as a sponsor during the upcoming year of preparation. The sponsor letter is due on by October 20, 2007. Confirmation sponsors must be mature in their faith and at least 16 years old; this means that he/she must feel comfortable answering questions the Confirmand might have and sharing his/her faith. The sponsor must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. A Parent may not be their child’s sponsor. All sponsors must have a form signed by their parish priest stating they are a Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church; if the sponsor is married, he or she must be in a valid marriage according to the Catholic Church. The sponsor certificate will be included in the letter to the sponsor and should be sent back to St. Rose by November 30, 2007.
XI. Service Hours:
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Each Confirmand is required to give ten (10) hours of individual service. These Hours must be turned in on the appropriate form with all required signatures and be linked to one of the corporal works of mercy
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Confirmands must hand in five (5) hours by December 15, 2007. The remaining five (5) hours are due by March 1, 2008. Service hours are not considered complete until they are handed in and recorded by the Religious Education office.
XII. Letter to the Bishop: Confirmands are required to write a letter to the Bishop indicating a desire to receive, and reasons for wanting to receive, the Sacrament of Confirmation. It should be a statement of future commitment to study the faith and to advance the cause of Christ Jesus through His Church. Specific guidelines for the letter will be available. The Bishop Letter is due by February 23, 2008.
XIII. Lenten and Easter Triduum Requirements (March 20, 2008 – March 22, 2008)
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All Confirmands must attend one of the Ash Wednesday Services
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All Confirmands must attend one Stations of the Cross on a Friday, during lent.
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All Confirmands must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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All Confirmands must participate in Holy Thursday and Good Friday events. You may then choose to attend either the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday Mass. This is the holiest time of the year for our Church. The services on these days are rich in the traditions of our faith. We will discuss with the Confirmands how they can fully participate in the Triduum during the confirmation classes in February.
XIV. Parent’s Participation: The participation of the parents in the Confirmation program is vital. It is important for you to set the example for your child as he or she takes on the responsibility of a Confirmed Catholic. The example of the parents’ prayer life and attitude toward Jesus Christ and His Church is the best teaching sons and daughters will ever have. Although it is the Confirmand’s responsibility to complete all requirements, it is the parents’ responsibility to assist by making sure all assignments are done on time and that his or her child is at each scheduled activity.
Additionally, we are requesting parental assistance in the following areas:
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Sign Mass attendance cards with your student
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Attend Reconciliation with your student
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Help with your student’s service hours
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Chaperones and Drivers for retreats
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Help with providing dinner and snacks during the classes and retreats
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Help at Confirmation rehearsals
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Parents to help make phone calls to other parents when needed
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Additional help as needed
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A sign-up sheet will be available at the informational meeting
XV. Eucharistic Adoration: The Eucharist is the center of our Catholic Faith. This is a time of quiet prayer, reflection and adoration. To help you with your prayers and reflection, you can bring the bible, a prayer book, or a book of readings or reflections of a Saint or other holy person. Some people find it helpful to reflect on the hymns; after all, hymns are prayers. Each Confirmand will be required to participate in Eucharistic Adoration at least once during the year while he/she is preparing for Confirmation. Confirmands should plan on spending at least ˝ hour at Adoration. Each family is strongly encouraged to participate in Adoration with the Confirmand as a family. This is not a group activity; each family should decide on a month and time that is good for them. Each month there is a sign-up sheet placed in the church for members of the parish to sign up for specific slots. Please sign up for one of these slots during the month you are planning to participate in Adoration. Once your child has participated in Adoration, please fill out the Eucharistic Adoration form in his/her Confirmation folder and hand it in to the Religious Education Office.
XVI. (Optional) The Life in the Spirit seminar (January or February) – weekend retreat open to the whole parish. A weekend retreat, which embodies the first 4 sessions of the full Life in the Spirit seminar. No information is yet available.
XVII. Follow-up Meeting (Mid May): Your New Life as a Catholic discussion and sharing of "Now what do I do?"
XVIII. Communications
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Posting Area: There will be an area in the narthex devoted to Confirmation. Here we will have an attendance box for Mass and other required events, post service hour opportunities, post reminders of upcoming events and requirement due dates, and other announcements. It is important that you check this area each week. There will also be a bin where you can submit forms etc to the Religious Education Office.
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E-MAIL: E-mail will be another avenue of communications. Reminders, service hour opportunities and updates will be sent via e-mail. Please provide your address (it should be the parent’s e-mail, not the student’s). You may also e-email us at any time.
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Web-Site: We are also working on setting up space on the parish web-site where the schedule, reminders, updates and service hour opportunities will be posted. You will be notified when this is ready.
XIX. Absences: All of the above activities are required for all Confirmands. However, there are times when family or other obligations can prevent a Confirmand from attending a scheduled activity. Therefore, each Confirmand will be given 2 Grace Passes to be used during the year. In order to use this pass, a parent must call the office prior to the event. Once a student uses 2 passes, it is expected that he/she will be at every scheduled activity. Grace Passes cannot be used for one of the 7 classes (as you can schedule on the other date it is offered), the Confirmation Retreat, or Confirmation Rehearsal. A Confirmand does not have to use a Grace Pass if he/she is ill. It is expected, however, that a parent will call the office in advance to let us know that the Confirmand will not be at the scheduled activity and why (If this is one of the class dates, please reschedule to the other available date.) Should illness cause a student to miss a large amount of requirements, please contact Leslie Skelton or Pete Espil. This is your responsibility as a parent – if we do not hear from you, your child will be dropped from the Confirmation roll and you will need to meet with Father James to be re-enrolled.
XX. Confirmation Fee: Each Confirmand will pay a fee of $30.00. This fee will be applied to the cost of books. This fee is in addition to the regular Religious Education Fee.
XXI. Confirmation Rehearsals and Date: Confirmation 2008 will hopefully be held at St. Rose. The date of Confirmation has not yet been given to us by the Diocese. We will let you know as soon as we are notified.
A Confirmation rehearsal will be held. We will let you know the exact dates when we are notified of the Confirmation date.
Confirmation Dress Code: The Confirmand dress code is as follows:
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Boys Dress Slacks
White Dress Shirt/ red Tie
Dress Shoes
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Girls White Dress or skirt of an appropriate length for church, no strapless tops
Dress Shoes
If nail polish or jewelry is worn, it should be a subdued.
The sponsors should also be appropriately dressed since, in their role, they are an official representative of the Church. Men should wear Dress Shirt/Tie. Women should wear a skirt or dress of appropriate length or a dress pants suit.
