SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR CATHOLIC CHURCH

CONFIRMATION CLASS 2008

REQUIREMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Sunday and Holy Day Mass Attendance

The Mass and the Eucharist are the very center 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 are:

            January 1                      Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

            April 20                        Easter Sunday

            May 25                        Ascension of the Lord **

            August 15                     Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

            November 1                 Solemnity of All Saints

            December 8                 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary *

            December 25               Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas Day)

*  Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year because it falls on a Saturday

** The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated on the following Sunday in many dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Washington

Additionally, the Confirmation class will attend Mass together on the third Sunday of the month at the 5:30 Vigil Mass on Saturday evening. The dates are September 15, October 20, November 17, January 19, February 16, March 15 and April 19.  All Confirmands must be in their seats in the center section of the church by 5:15.

Parent/Confirmand Retreat and Rite of Enrollment

There will be a Parent/Confirmand Retreat on Saturday, September 22 at 1:30pm.  The retreat will end with us all attending the 5:30 Mass.  This is required for all Confirmands and at least one of their parents.

Parents and Confirmands should come to the retreat in comfortable, casual dress but it also must be appropriate for Mass.

Faith Sharing Journey

Each student must complete a Faith Sharing Journey during the year.  Each month they will be asked to reflect on their faith in the areas of Worship, Knowledge and Service.  They will be required to write down their reflections by answering specific questions in these areas and hand them in each month.  The due dates are September 30, October 28, November 25, December 30, January 27, February 24 and March 30.  The completed Faith Sharing should be placed in the envelope on the Confirmation Bulletin Board (located in the CCD hall).

On the schedule each month there is a Tuesday evening “Faith Sharing Help Session”.  The help session can be used if you need help on that month’s Faith Sharing.  The help session is also an opportunity to complete the previous months’ Faith Sharing.  If the Faith Sharing from the prior month has not been handed in, you will be required to attend the help session.  Also, if the Faith Sharing that was handed in was incomplete, your will be notified and required to come to the help session.  The specific help session dates are: September 18, October 16, November 20, December 11, January 15, February 12, March 25, and April 1.

Confirmation Interview

Two Confirmation Interviews will be required for all Confirmands.  The first one will be at the beginning of the year with Father Barry and Mrs. Curtis.  The Confirmand will be accompanied by at least one of his/her parents. This is an opportunity for both the student and his/her parents to understand the requirements of the program and to ask any questions. Students and parents will sign a paper that states that they understand and will fulfill the requirements of the program. Each interview will be no longer than 15 minutes. Students should bring their red folder to the interview.  The second interview will occur at the end of the year, in the weeks before Confirmation.  The Confirmand will meet with Father Barry and Mrs. Curtis.

Sponsors

Historically, sponsors were those Christians who presented their friends as candidates for Christian Initiation. When infant Baptism came into practice, it was usually the parents who presented their children to the community, godparents being chosen in case the parents could not fulfill their responsibilities. 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 September 30, 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. Edward’s by October 28, 2007.

Sponsor/Confirmand Retreat and Rite of Enrollment

All Confirmands and their Sponsors are required to attend a retreat on Saturday, December 1 at 4:00pm.  The retreat will include attending 5:30pm Mass and the Rite of Enrollment for the Confirmands, Sponsors and Parents. The retreat is required for all Confirmands and their Sponsors.  Families should plan on joining the Confirmand and Sponsor for 5:30pm Mass.

Day of Renewal – Retreat

All Confirmands are required to attend our parish’s Confirmation Retreat. It will be held on Friday, April 4, 2008 from 4:30pm to 11:00pm. It is a time of activity, reflections, and prayer directed toward the reception of Confirmation. The retreat is required for all Confirmands.

Confirmation Fee

Each Confirmand will pay a fee of $40.00. This fee will cover the cost of Rental Confirmation Gowns and the Confirmation retreats. The fee is due on September 30, 2007.

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. Edward’s must submit a copy of their Baptismal Certificate by December 30, 2007.

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 one time and that his or her child is at each scheduled activity.

Additionally, we are requesting parent assistance in the following areas:

·        Help at the Sandwich Sunday Service Project

·        Chaperones and Drivers for CCD Class Trip to the Shrine on October 19

·        Help coordinate the food for January 27 Reconciliation Reception

·        Coordinate desserts on March 7

·        Help with serving dinner and snacks during the Confirmation Retreat

·        A parent or parents to help make phone calls to other parents when needed

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 CCD classes on December 18 and March 11. All CCD students are required to attend on both these dates. Catholic school students must also attend if they have not received the Sacrament of Reconciliation during school hours.

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 during the Confirmand/Sponsor rehearsal. 

Saint’s Name

A name identifies us and tells others who we are. Confirmands are asked to check into reasons for their baptismal name if they are not already aware of the reason. They may choose a new name as a sign of growth in faith. One may keep the baptismal name to emphasize the fact that Confirmation is a sealing of the Baptismal Commitment.

A saint research report will be required of each student.  Students who attend Catholic school may submit the saint report they do at school, as long it is on the saint who they have chosen for Confirmation and covers all of our requirements.  Students who attend CCD classes must submit their report by Tuesday, October 23, 2007. In addition, students who attend CCD must participate in the Saint Fairs during CCD classes on Tuesday, October 23 and Wednesday, October 24.  Students who attend Catholic school are also invited to participate in the fairs.  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. We have an excellent set of Catholic Encyclopedias as well as books on the lives of the saints in the CCD office, or you may use the Public Library or 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/

Christian Service Projects

·        Each Confirmands is required to give twenty (20) hours of individual service. Ten (10) of these hours must be done at St. Edward’s church or by participating in one of St. Edward’s ministries; the remaining ten (10) may be done at church or in the community.

·        All Confirmands must participate in a group project. This year our project will be making sandwiches for Sandwich Sunday on the third Sunday of the month (see schedule for specific dates). This is required for all Confirmands.  All Confirmands must meet at 5:15 pm in the church and attend 5:30 mass together as a class. We will make sandwiches for the poor following Mass. These hours will not be counted toward the 20 hours of individual service.

Please review the attached sheet that details the Service Project program. All Confirmands and their parent must sign an agreement to complete a Service Project. Confirmands must hand in twelve (12) hours by December 30, 2007. The remaining eight (8) hours are due by March 30, 2008. Service hours are not considered complete until they are handed in and recorded by Mrs. Curtis.

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 discussed and written on Friday, March 7. 2008.

Lenten and Easter Triduum Requirements

·        All Confirmands must attend Stations of the Cross on Friday, February 8, 2008 at 7:30pm.

·        All Confirmands must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

·        All Confirmands should make every effort to participate in the Easter Triduum, which consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil (March 20 – March 22, 2008).  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 class meeting on March 7, 2008.

Eucharistic Adoration

The Eucharist is the center of our Catholic Faith.  One of the traditions of the Catholic Faith is Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (Eucharist).  Once the Blessed Sacrament has been Exposed (in a Monstrance) there is an opportunity for Adoration of the Eucharist.  There will be many times during the year when the Eucharist will Exposed for Adoration at St. Edward’s.  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 ½ hour at 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 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 time that is good for them.  Once your child has participated in Adoration, please fill out the Eucharistic Adoration form in his/her red folder and hand it in to Mrs. Curtis.

Communications

·        Bulletin Board - There will be a bulletin board in the CCD Hall on which will be posted service hour opportunities, reminders of upcoming events and requirement due dates and other announcements. It is important that you check the bulletin board each week. There will also be a envelope for all Confirmands to submit their service hour documentation and other required paperwork.  Put all of your completed work in this envelope; do not hand it to anyone or put it on the desk or anywhere in Mrs. Curtis’ office.

·      E-MAIL – E-mail will be another avenue of communications.  Reminders, service hour opportunities and updates will be sent via e-mail.  Please send Mrs. Curtis your e-mail address if she doesn’t already have it (it should be the parent’s e-mail, not the student’s).  You may also e-email Mrs. Curtis at any time at mcurtis@stedwardbowie.org.

·        Web-Site – The schedule, requirements and Faith Sharing are all posted on the St. Edward’s web site - www.stedwardbowie.org.

Grace Passes

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 Mrs. Curtis prior to the event.  Once a student uses 2 passes, it is expected that he/she will be at every scheduled activity.  This includes Sandwich Sunday and Class Meetings.  Grace Passes cannot be used for the Parent/Confirmand Retreat in October, the Sponsor/Confirmand Retreat in December or the Student Confirmation Retreat in February.  A Confirmand does not have to use a Grace Pass if he/she is ill.  It is expected, however, that a parent call Mrs. Curtis in advance to let her know that the Confirmand will not be at the scheduled activity.

Confirmation Rehearsals and Date

The date of Confirmation has not been given to us by the Archdioceses.  I will let you know as soon as I am notified.  Confirmation rehearsals for the Confirmands will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm – 7:15pm during the 3 weeks prior to Confirmation.  I will let you know the exact dates when I am notified of the Confirmation date.

Sports and recreational activities are not an excused absence from rehearsals

Confirmand/Sponsor Rehearsal and Retreat

A Confirmand/Sponsor Rehearsal will be held on the Sunday prior to Confirmation.  You will be notified of the date and time once we are notified of the Confirmation date.  The Confirmands and their sponsor or sponsor representative must attend the rehearsal and remain for the entire 2 hours. During the retreat, there will be a Penance Service during which both the Confirmand and Sponsor should plan on receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Sports and recreational activities are not an excused absence from the rehearsal and retreat.

Confirmation Dress Code

The Confirmands will be wearing robes. The dress code under their robes is as follows:

Boys    Dress Slacks

            Dress Shirt/Tie

            Dress Shoes

If they have a Sports/Suit Jacket, they should leave it with their parent

as it would be too hot under the robe.

Girls     Dress or skirt (any color) of an appropriate length for church

            Dress Shoes

            If nail polish is worn, it should be a subdued or pastel color

            NO SNEAKERS

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 and Jacket. Women should wear a skirt or dress of appropriate length or a dress pants suit.

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