Confirmation Guidelines for Candidates and Parents at St.

John Apostle Catholic Church

Introduction
Welcome! We are looking forward to sharing with you this journey of faith
as you prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. The Confirmation
preparation involves learning, sharing, serving, community, and spiritual
growth! You will be given the opportunity to learn more about your Catholic
faith and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Confirmation is the Sacrament in which one receives the gift of the Holy
Spirit and tied more perfectly to the Church. It strengthens us and obliges us
to be witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the
faith. It is the Sacrament in which one enters into full membership in the
Catholic Church.

Registration Requirements
Who may be confirmed at St. John Apostle?
Confirmation candidates:
Students must be at least 13 years old to register
Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist.
Are practicing their faith in the state of grace
Demonstrate understanding of the responsibilities of a member of the Catholic Church
Are aware of the initiation aspect of the Sacrament of Confirmation and be committed to
continuing the faithful practice and study of their religion

Mandatory Parent Orientation Meetings

Confirmation Parent meetings on Oct. 2nd. Parents and students will meet together for this session. This
meeting is necessary to complete the registration process. Calendars for the year will be distributed at this
meeting.

Communication
Please sign in with an appropriate email for parental information.

Safe & Secure Texting using Remind.com

Safe & Secure texting to follow Call to Protect Protocols
For Confirmation
Text "@sja-2016" to
(503) 967-2948

Classes
See schedule

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Confirmation Guidelines for Candidates and Parents at St. John Apostle Catholic Church

Questions to Begin
Parents:
Are you active and registered members of SJA?
Are you attending mass every week?
Are you available / interested in helping as a teacher, aide, or any other capacity?
Do you pray with your kids each day?
Do you have a Bible?
Do you read the Bible together as a family?
Students:
Are you committed to attending mass every week?
Are you committed to a serious formation of your spiritual and academic faith?
Are you committed to pray each day?
Do you have a Bible?
Are you committed to read the Bible each day?

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS

As the primary educators of their children: parents are to be intimately involved in the catechesis for
Confirmation. This will help them renew and strengthen their own faith, besides enabling them to set a
better example for their children.(NCD, no. 119)

Because parents:
Are the primary educators of their children
Are responsible for initiating their children into the sacramental life
Serve as models for their child by being committed Christians

Parents should expect to:

Worship with your families regularly

Engage in discussions about the material being studied including sharing your understanding and
perspective.
Pray for your childs spiritual growth every day.
Support and encourage completion of assignments, activities and expectations.
Emphasize the importance of the sacrament of Confirmation by taking an active part in the
celebration of Confirmation.
Assist in retreats, service work, meetings, classes, spiritual events and social events.
Faithfully bring your teen (and when necessary yourself) to meetings, programs, and prayer services
that are planned to help your child prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation

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Confirmation Guidelines for Candidates and Parents at St. John Apostle Catholic Church

Behavior Expectation
1.

Respect yourself, the teacher & others

Please pick-up after yourself.
Respect yourself and the rest of us by using appropriate language and wearing appropriate
clothing. E.g. no jeans with holes in them that show skin
Please refrain from particular relationships with girlfriends/boyfriends, no hand holding, hugging,
kissing, etc. This behavior hurts the community by making others feel uncomfortable.
Put forth your best effort at all times
Always do your own best work.
Be prepared for class each day
A Pen for writing and your confirmation books/Bible
Follow directions when given
When directions are given, do your best to follow them the first time. If you are confused or have
questions, ask.
Pay attention, participate and ask questions
Engage in what is going on in the classroom. If you have a question, ask it! There are no stupid
questions, and chances are, if you are wondering about it, someone else in the class is to.
Preserve a positive learning environment
Be on time
Student actions that interfere with teaching or learning in the classroom will NOT be tolerated.
Take responsibility for your actions
If you are confronted about a rule infraction, own up to it. Dont deny it, lie, or blame others
Take responsibility for missed assignments.

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7.

CLASS RULES
1.) Turn off cell phones & electronic devices
Electronic devices (Ipods, cell phones, etc.) are NOT permitted in my classroom.
Cell Phones should be turned off and invisible during the class period. If I see or hear your phone
it will be taken away and held until the end of class. If it happens a second time, a parent will
have to collect it from the parish office.
2.) Arrive to class on time & ready to learn
You should immediately begin on the warm up activity or journal entry.
Be physically and mentally present in the classroom
3.) Use polite and appropriate language
Offensive, derogatory, and profane terms are not tolerated. In order to have a safe classroom
environment where all students feel comfortable, no put downs, swear words, or slang words with
demeaning connotations will be accepted.

CLASS CONSEQUENCES
1.
Verbal warning
2.
Call home
3.
Referral to pastor
* Serious offenses can, at the teachers discretion, result in more severe consequences regardless of
previous steps taken

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Confirmation Guidelines for Candidates and Parents at St. John Apostle Catholic Church

Confirmation Candidate Expectations

1.) Attend Mass every week
Participate in Mass on Saturday evening or Sunday each week. The Confirmation candidate and his or
her parents must have a sincere intention of participating in Mass every week. Participating in the
Eucharistic life of the community is both a privilege and an obligation of Confirmed Catholics.
2.) Class Attendance
Attendance at the Confirmation classes is extremely important in preparing the candidates for
reception of the sacrament. When a class is missed, the candidate loses time for fellowship and prayer
as well as the material covered that day. We expect that you will make these gatherings a priority and
therefore make a sincere effort to adjust your other obligations accordingly. Students are expected to
be prepared for the classes, which includes completing any assigned readings or homework.

Excessive absenteeism can affect whether the candidate will be permitted to

receive their confirmation on time.
Two Main Sessions Parts
Part I: The Kerygma Person and Mission of Jesus
For teenagers preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, this period of time will introduce them to the
teaching and mission of Jesus.
Part II: The Didache Teachings of the Catholic Church
This period of time will reintroduce and deepen their understanding of the basic tenets of the Catholic
faith. It is a new-evangelization for the teenagers and an opportunity for continued conversion to Christ.
For some it will be a review, and for others it may be the first time many Catholic beliefs are explained
and introduced.
3.) Choose a qualified sponsor and meet regularly with him/her
The confirmation sponsor should be a person who has been a strong role- model as a faith-filled
Catholic. This person will be a companion in your faith journey and will vouch for your readiness to
receive the sacrament. The sponsor should therefore be able to meet regularly with the candidate,
spend time building a bond with the teen, help him/her prepare for the sacrament through prayer,
study, service and discussion and be in physical attendance at the rehearsal and the confirmation.
Attendance by proxy is allowed in certain situations, such as the sponsor living out-of-town and being
unable to travel to the celebration. Requests for proxy should be directed to the Coordinator of Youth
Ministry.

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Confirmation Guidelines for Candidates and Parents at St. John Apostle Catholic Church

Who can be a sponsor?

Canon Law: Minimum requirements for the role as identified by canon law. Sponsors must have
the following qualifications (based on canon 893, which in turn refers to Canon 874, a description
of the qualifications for baptismal sponsors):
A sponsor must be at least 16 years old.
A sponsor must be a fully initiated Catholic (one who has celebrated
Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) who leads a life in harmony with the faith and the
role to be undertaken.
A sponsor must not be bound by any church penalty.
A sponsor is not the parent of the one to be confirmed.
What are sponsors being asked to do?
To commit to a lifelong faith relationship with the confirmandi.
To meet with their candidate on a regular basis and discuss the candidates spiritual
journey.
Be a listener, guide, and confidant.
To represent, in a personal way, the witness and support of the Parish community.
Along with this guide you will find a Confirmation Sponsor Information Form. This
form is due back at the end of October.
4.) Write a Letter of Intent
Each candidate must write a letter of intent, addressed to the Pastor and Confirmation Coordinator.
The purpose of this letter is for the candidate to demonstrate in writing his/her desire to be Confirmed,
and willingness to make this commitment. Please use the following as a guide for the letter:
First: Begin with your greeting: Dear Fr. Maxy DCosta & Mr. Felix Barba,
Second: Introduce yourself and share some information about yourself, such as your family, your
interests and hobbies, and a little about your background.
Third: State that you would like to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and explain (in one or
two paragraphs) why you want to be confirmed. It may help you to think about a) the ways in which
this sacrament will strengthen your relationship with Jesus, b) the role of faith in your life, c) what it
means to you to be a part of our parish community and/or d) how the Holy Spirit empowered the
apostles to be witnesses for Jesus (read and reflect on the Acts of the Apostles.)
Fourth: Conclude your letter with a quotation from Scripture which will serve as your inspiration
during your preparation for Confirmation. This can be a sentence or a few sentences. Include an
explanation as to why you chose this passage. This letter must be turned in by the end of September.

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Confirmation Guidelines for Candidates and Parents at St. John Apostle Catholic Church

5.) Participate in Confirmation retreats

The first retreat will focus on an experience of Christ through of fervent prayer, song, teaching, and
the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession). The second retreat focuses on the seven virtues, and
offers teenagers an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.be regularly involved in
social justice activities
6.) Write a letter to the Bishop.
It has been customary for the Bishop to request that each candidate write a personal letter to him
requesting Confirmation. The students will be given time to do this on the second retreat
7.) Participate in the Confirmation rehearsal.
All candidates and their sponsors (or a proxy) must attend the Confirmation rehearsal which is
typically the Friday before Confirmation. (see calendar) The sponsors will also give witness to the
candidates at this time.
8.) Participate in the Confirmation liturgy!

All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the
Holy Spirit you freed your sons and daughters from sin and gave them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their Helper and Guide. Give them the
spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the
spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in
your presence. -Rite of Confirmation 25

Revised 10/5/2016