Confirmation

Preparation is to be a process of study, prayer, and service to others. Candidates should understand that this process is a model for Christian living throughout their adult lives.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6) We aim to discover that Jesus is the Way by removing obstacles and presenting the gospel message; the Truth by discovering who Jesus is and learning to follow Him; and the Life by committing to a life of discipleship.

• This is a 2-year preparation plan.
• All preparation will take place on Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:45 p.m. (see schedule).
• Adult education will occur at the same time.

Attendance and Participation at St. Joseph Parish

• The celebration of Mass is the source and summit of our faith.  Attending Mass weekly is the minimum expectation of all Catholics and, therefore, is an expectation of all Confirmandi and their parents.  Confirmandi will need to sign attendance sheet in Gathering Space.  If your schedule finds you needing to attend Mass elsewhere, please return a bulletin signed by the presiding priest to your teacher.

• A minimum of 1 full year of involvement in the St. Joseph religious education program or that of another parish prior to beginning the 2-year preparation for Confirmation is required.  Preparation will occur 9th and 10th grade years.

• Absences should only occur in instances of illness or family emergency/longtime scheduled event.  Material missed on such occurrence will need to be made up. 3 unexcused absences will require a meeting with Father. 

• 10 hours of service are required during preparation and are to be performed for the parish, diocese or Catholic Charities.  Opportunities will be shared throughout the year but each is responsible for finding their 10 hours.  Track your hours on the attached form and return upon completion.

• Participation in a parish ministry of your choice 5 times (ex. choir, usher, lector, altar server, greeter) is required and does not count as part of the 10 hours of service.   These are to occur between November 1, 2019 and October 1, 2020.  

• Confirmation candidates are to select a patron saint and prepare a report about their Saint. (see attached form for details)

• Retreats offer an excellent opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a life-changing way and explain why you want to be confirmed.  An opportunity to experience an overnight or weekend retreat is included in the 2nd year of the preparation program.  We host our own retreat and it will take place on a weekend prior to Confirmation.  The retreat for this years sophomore classes will be October 25th  and 26th.  

Sponsor Selection and Involvement at St. Joseph Parish

• The Sponsor Eligibility Form (form attached)  is to be completed and returned by April 22, 2020 for freshman and ASAP if not already for Sophomores. Qualifications for sponsors are on the back of the form.

• A sponsor’s job is to be an up-close-and-personal witness of the Christian Catholic life for the candidate.  His/her task does not end when the teen is confirmed; rather, the sponsor agrees to help the teen “grow in faith,” to help in his or her Christian walk throughout life, and to seek out the candidate if he or she ever goes astray. 

Parental Involvement at St. Joseph Parish 

• Attend weekly Mass with your teen.

• In a recent study conducted by the National Study on Youth and Religion, the majority of teenagers named their parents as their number-one spiritual influence.  Parents provide a child’s first glimpse of the unconditional love that is at the heart of the gospel.  They are also the first to show their children, by example, what it means to be a disciple of the Lord.  For better or for worse, a teen’s faith tends to mimic that of Mom and Dad.