Confirmation
Welcome! We are excited that your child will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation this year. The church teaches that parents are the first and foremost catechists of their children. As your teen progresses through this sacrament preparation class, there are many opportunities for you to assume some of the responsibility for their formation. Here are a few ideas to help you prepare your teen for full Christian living:
- attend and participate in parent meeting
- carefully read and help your candidate follow the Confirmation requirements
- ask your candidate "What they did at class?"
- guide your candidate's choice of a sponsor
- help your candidate research and chose a saint name
- attend Mass every weekend as a family, invite a friend or sponsor
- pray with your candidate - at meals, before bed ... anytime is a good time to pray
- support your candidate's service pursuits
- volunteer at a parish function or community event as a family
Confirmation classes
Classes will be held every Wednesday evening 6:30 to 7:45 pm (please see calendar).We believe that it is important to build a sense of community within our Faith Formation program. The Confirmation candidates will then participate in any and all large/small group Faith Formation events, such as; All Saints Day, Live Rosary, Advent Wreath lightings, Reconciliation during Lent, Live Stations of the Cross, Adoration, Passover Seder meal and Personal Safety class. We are using "Anointed in the Spirit" from Saint Mary's Press and YDisciple for our small group sessions.
Candidate/Parent Meeting
The Candidate/Parent meeting will be scheduled sometime in early September. Watch for details. This meeting will give you information you need for the coming year, a chance to meet with all the candidates and parents and time to meet their Catechist, Mike Wagner.
REQUIREMENTS:
Confirmation sponsor
It is desirable that the sponsor (godparent) of the candidate at baptism is also the sponsor at Confirmation, although another person may fulfill this role. Church law states that sponsors must be the following:
- at least 16 years of age
- a Confirmed Catholic
- living in accordance with the Catholic faith
Your sponsor should be able to be with you at your Confirmation in the spring and it is best if they can be an active part of your life, especially during your time of preparation.
Confirmation/Saint name
Your packet contains a letter that helps explain why it is important to choose just the right confirmation/saint name. There is a saint name selection worksheet to help you in your decision. The internet is just full of websites that can assist you in researching a name.
Letter to the Pastor/Archbishop
We are asking our candidates to write a letter of intent to receive the sacrament of Confirmation . The letter should include reasons why you want to be confirmed, how you know you are ready, ways you have prepared yourself. It may include areas of service, interests in the Church, personal experiences in Faith, and something that reveals their own personality. It should be a warm and friendly letter that is neatly written and/or typed on appropriate stationary. Included in your packet is an outline to help you write your letter and a sample of a past letter. The candidate may also be interviewed by our pastor at a date TBD.
Retreat
Our Confirmation retreat will be held at the ARC Retreat Center in Osceola, WI. We have reserved March 8 & 9, 2025 as the weekend of our retreat, This is a mandatory event. Please look for permission form at the back of your folder. The cost of the retreat is included in your tuition. Details will be discussed as the dates get closer.
Service
Service opportunites for the year will be an ongoing process. Below is a list of a few of them with more to come.
The service projects are:
- At this time we are actively looking for meaningful service opportunties for our Candidates.
Additional requirements: Dates TBD
Rosary
Adoration
Teaching Mass
Passover Seder
There are often times when a situation occurs ( illness, family emergency) when a candidate cannot fulfill the required service or attend an in class requirement. "These will be handled on a as needed basis."
Questions?
Please contact Cindy Buckland at the parish office 651-436-7817 or by email at cindyb@stfrancislscbmn.org
CONFIRMATION THIS YEAR IS SATURDAY MARCH 29, 2025 CATHEDRAL OF ST PAUL - 10:00am