Confirmation

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General Overview The Sacrament of Confirmation celebrates the completion of one's initiation into the Catholic Church. This initiation began with Baptism and is constantly being renewed and nourished through participation in the Eucharist. Confirmation is not a "graduation" from Religious Education. It is a special moment of grace in our relationship with God in which the Holy Spirit is sent to help us understand our faith and help us live out the mission of the Church. Confirmation calls us to actively take part in a relationship with God and be involved in the Church. Put simply, the Sacrament of Confirmation celebrates our connection to God and the Church, and it gives us the Holy Spirit as an advocate and companion in our lives. The Confirmation Program at St. Peter is designed to foster growth in all aspects of faith, including a student's relationship with God, their understanding of the Catholic Church, and their unique and integral role as a member of our faith community. Each level and experience in the program builds upon what came before it in an effort to help students better understand what being Confirmed truly means. Trying to respect where students are with their faith journey as well as busy schedules and other needs, the Confirmation preparation process allows them to work through the program at their own pace. It is not about herding as many students as possible through the program. You decide to make the commitment to begin the Confirmation preparation process. You decide how long it will take you to complete the preparation; it could last anywhere from two to four years. Hopefully, participation in the program will help students build a solid faith that will last a life time. IMPORTANT: Enrollment in the Confirmation Program requires prior participation in either Junior High Religious Education (Grades 6-8) or attendance at a Catholic Middle School (Grades 6-8).

CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2011 September 2010 – February 2011 Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday night groups meet twice each month Times and dates vary Baptismal Record Request – Due November 1, 2010 (Parent Handbook, Pages 17 or click here for a Baptismal Record Request.) Confirmation Sponsor Form– Due Monday, January 3, 2011 (Parent Handbook, Page 19 or click here for Confirmation Sponsor Form) Confirmation Name & Saint Report – Due Monday, January 3, 2011 (Parent Handbook, Page 21 or click here for Confirmation Name & Saint Report) Catholic Education Commission Letter – Due February 1, 2011 (Parent Handbook, Page 23 or click here for Sample CEC Letter Format) LITURGY PRACTICE INFORMATION *Confirmation Practice and Liturgy Dates are not known at this time. Once we have received our dates from the Diocese, we will take the following action/s within 48 hours: Email contact to catechists; Postal letter to parents; Dates published on web site; outgoing youth ministry voicemail with date POST CONFIRMATION SMALL GROUP SESSION After the Confirmation Liturgy, there is one final small group session for the students to attend. At this session they will have the opportunity to explore how to be involved in Church once Confirmed and have the opportunity to provide feedback on their Confirmation experience. CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2012 August 2010 – Registration Opens (Click here for a Registration Packet. Forms also available at the Parish Center.) Sunday January 2, 2011 – Large Group Session for Parents & Students January – May 2011 Small Group Sessions meet June-August 2011 – Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy Projects for all students September 2011 – February 2012 Small Group Sessions resume *Confirmation Practice and Liturgy Dates are not known at this time **After the Confirmation Liturgy, there is one final small group session for the students ***During their Confirmation preparation, students are asked to participate in a high school retreat (See Retreat Page).