Religious Education

CONFIRMATION

1. ATTENDANCE

Each candidate must attend Confirmation classes for two consecutive years in order to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. The candidate will not have more than four (4) absences in the two years of their Confirmation preparation (extended illnesses excepted). Any homework or activity missed as a result of the absence must be made up at the direction of the teacher. Exceptions to this policy can only be made by the Pastor.

2. CONDUCT

Candidates are expected to abide by the conduct and discipline guidelines as set forth in the Parent/Student Handbook. If the teacher feels a student’s behavior is disrupting the class, the student will be sent to the CCD office to do written work and will be issued a FIRST WARNING.  In the event that the student would be sent to the CCD office a second time, they would be readmitted to class only after parental contact with the Pastor.

  
3. HOMEWORK

The candidate will thoughtfully and diligently complete and turn in all homework assignments by the due date.

4. PARENTS’ MEETING

One or two parents’ meetings will be held each year. At least one parent must attend each scheduled meeting unless excused with just cause by the Religious Education Office prior to the meeting.  This should be done by telephoning the Religious Education Office at 697-3545.  Failure to notify the office or to attend the required meeting could result in the child not being confirmed. 

5.  CONFIRMATION APPLICATION AND FEE FORMS

A Confirmation Application Form, Retreat Forms, and a Fee Form will be sent to each family prior to the winter Parent Meeting in the eighth grade year. It is the responsibility of the candidates and parents to ensure that these forms and fees are returned to the Religious Education Office by the parent meeting.

6.  BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE

A Baptismal Certificate is required only if the candidate was not baptized at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  All other candidates must bring the original Baptism Certificate to be photo copied.

7.  SPONSOR 

Each Confirmation candidate must have a sponsor to assist them in their preparation and to stand with them at the Confirmation ceremony. It is the responsibility of the parents to guide the candidate in choosing a sponsor who is a confirmed Catholic, at least 16 years of age, who attends Mass regularly and participates in community and church activities. Parents may not serve as sponsors, but siblings and other relatives may. A parent may NOT be a proxy for a sponsor who is unable to attend Confirmation. The church recommends that the candidate choose one of his/her godparents as a sponsor because Confirmation completes the work of the Holy Spirit begun in Baptism. Sponsors are required to submit a Sponsor Verification Form signed by their Pastor if they are not a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishioner. Ideally Sponsors should be chosen BEFORE the start of the Eight Grade year.

8.  SERVICE HOURS

Each candidate will be required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of service time by their due date. (The date will be given to the student in the beginning of the eight-grade year.) The required (20) hours should be divided as evenly as possible between church service and community service.  Altar servers may apply up to 5 hours of church service in the two-year period. The candidate will record the hours on a Service Hour Slip and transfer this information to the Report Form in the red Confirmation binder to be initialed by their teacher.

9. SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES

Each candidate will be required to complete a minimum of 4 Spiritual Activities by their due date.  The candidate must complete a minimum of 1 activity in each of the 7th and 8th grade years.

Examples of activities:  Attending daily Mass, saying the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, participating in novenas or devotions, (Chaplet of Divine Mercy (prayed at St. Elizabeth’s the 3rd Sunday of the Month at 3:00, attending 40 hours devotions, spending time at one of the perpetual adoration chapels, (St. Therese, St. Patrick’s Carlisle, St. Catherine Laboure) or visiting a shrine.

10.   PATRON SAINT REPORT

The candidate will research and write a thoughtful, biographical report on the Patron Saint of his/her choosing. Guidelines for completing the report and sheets containing suggested saint names are included in their red Confirmation binders.  Candidates may use the Internet to research their saint, but any report taken directly from the Internet will not be accepted.  The report must be in the candidate’s own words. The Saint Report is due at the time designated by their teacher. The date will be given to the student in the beginning of the eight-grade year.)

Note:  Saint Joseph’s students may submit the report they are required to do in their eighth grade year.  (All Saint reports must be submitted with their Confirmation interview folders)

11.  CONFIRMATION RITE OF INTENTION CEREMONY

The Investiture Ceremony is held in the eighth grade year and attendance is required by the candidate and at least one parent. The candidates pledge to commit themselves to a course of study intended to deepen their understanding of the faith and develop a concern for the needs of others.

12. RETREAT

All candidates are required to attend a retreat in their eighth grade year, either at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton or a neighboring church. The retreat is intended to place the candidate in a proper spiritual frame of mind for Confirmation. If unable to attend the primary retreat, the candidate will make the necessary arrangements with the Religious Education Office to attend another retreat.

13.  INTERVIEW

Each eighth grade candidate will be interviewed toward the end of their classes to evaluate their readiness for the sacrament. The interview will seek to assess the candidate’s understanding of the basic teachings and prayers of the Catholic faith, the meaning of Confirmation, and their commitment to the Church.

14. RITE OF ENROLLMENT

For Candidates, together with their parents, catechist and sponsors.  Held approximately 4—6 weeks prior to Confirmation as part of the Sunday Liturgy.  This provides a way in which the Church can declare officially that it has chosen candidates for Confirmation who  have completed their preparation for this sacrament.

15.  CONFIRMATION REHEARSAL

Normally, a Confirmation rehearsal for candidates and their sponsors is held during the five (5) day period prior to Confirmation. The candidates must attend this rehearsal unless excused beforehand with just cause by the Religious Education Office.

FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL RESULT IN THE CANDIDATE NOT BEING CONFIRMED, UNLESS EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES APPROVED BY THE PASTOR DICTATE OTHERWISE.