Confirmation

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation

Open to registered parishioners Grade 8 and older.


Forms and Documents


Confirmation Requirements

  1. You already know (through prior Faith Formation, specifically 7th/8th grade sessions):
  • How to use Scripture and the basic Catholic approaches to the Bible;
  • Catholic tradition and history (overview and identification of major people & events); and,
  • Traditional Catholic prayers (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Nicene Creed).
  1. You have completed 20 service hours PRIOR to enrolling in the program [10 hours in 7th grade and 10 hours in 8th grade].
  2. You are attending Mass weekly and on Holy Days of Obligation.


Precepts of the Church:

  • Attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from unnecessary work on those days.
  • Go to Confession at least once a year.
  • Receive Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter season.
  • Observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
  • Provide for the Church’s material needs, each according to his/her own ability (CC2041-43).

 


EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS YEAR:

Candidates must complete all of the following  PRIOR  to the Rite of Sending.

(Some candidates may be able to complete everything in one year. Others may take 2-3 years. You are welcome to take as long as you need to. We confirm  as early as Spring of 9 th  grade .)

  1. Participate in Faith Formation sessions and Rites ( Missing more than two Formation sessions and not making them up, will result in being dropped from the program this year. You may rejoin the program next year without additional cost. Missed sessions must be made up by completing written assignments. See Cindy for those assignments.)
  2. Complete the  Sponsor Candidate Reflection Form
  3. Attend two retreats
  4. Attend Sharing and Caring Hands Service Project
  5. Attend all 3 Triduum Masses/Services [Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil] (This can be done over the course of 7th/8th grade and Confirmation years) ; complete and submit the Triduum Attendance Form .
  6. Complete 20 service hours and submit the Service Hours Record and Reflection Form . (Hours must be completed during the year of Confirmation preparation; a minimum of 5 hours must be directly to the St. William's Parish Community) :
  • Personal/Individual: help elderly, sick, or homebound friends/neighbors (rake leaves, clean, cook meal, read or play games) or help other family friends in need (errands, pet care, mother's helper, babysitting)  (not at your own home and not for pay)
  • St. William’s Parish Community: Liturgical Ministry (Usher, Greeter, Lector, Altar Server or Music ministry), Hospitality (coffee/donuts) or Faith Formation (assist in Atrium on Sundays or at youth Faith Formation on Wednesdays). ( Must be accompanied by an adult for the Sunday Liturgy Ministries)
  • Parish or Local Community: volunteer at other Parish or community events (dinners, socials, fundraisers, school carnival), volunteer at another outreach ministry (Feed My Starving Children, Catholic Charities, Sharing and Caring Hands) or teach, tutor or coach younger children (Scouts, Kiwanis, VBS)
  1. Meet with sponsor at scheduled sessions (and at home as needed to complete assignments). For each Sponsor/Candidate session it is best that the Sponsor be there, but if they can’t, a parent may come in their place. It is important to have an adult accompany the candidate at the sponsor/candidate sessions. 
  2. Provide a copy of Baptismal certificate (if not baptized at St. Williams) -  provide at your earliest opportunity but no later than six months prior to the Rite of Confirmation.