Confirmation takes place in 8th grade. If you have any questions, please contact Gloria Hughey at ghughey@sjvfishers.com

General Information

Confirmation is the fulfillment of Baptismal graces. We have been cleansed from our sins, and welcomed to God’s family; and your church, your family at St. John Vianney, will help you to cultivate your spiritual well-being. As your primary educators, your parents will be there to support you in your preparation process of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Those who wish to be Confirmed must “profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the Sacrament and be prepared to assume the role of a disciple and witness to Christ, both within the Church and in temporal affairs.” (CCC 1319)

Are you willing to take on this commitment?

SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION AT ST. JOHN VIANNEY CATHOLIC CHURCH

Learn

Confirmation sessions meet every Sunday from 9:05-10:15 am in Portable 3 (check calendar for the dates). Students will watch a series of video presentations by Matthew Kelly about their Catholic faith and their roles as disciples of Jesus Christ. Students will spend time in small groups to discuss their faith experience.

Grow

Confirmation students will attend one retreat during the school year. Retreats are a great opportunity for students to encounter Christ in word, sacrament, and community.

Retreat Date 2017-18: February 23-24, 2018

Serve

Confirmation students are encouraged to participate in the scheduled outreach days.

We have scheduled service projects for the students to participate in. Check the calendar for the dates. The students also have the option of doing their outreach with family or friends. Outreach is an opportunity for students to learn and grow in their faith by serving others.

Confirmation requirements:

• Sunday and Holy Day mass attendance
• Confirmation retreat
• Full attendance at Confirmation classes
• Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation
• Submit a letter request to Most Reverend Timothy Doherty (Bishop of our Diocese)
• Write a saint Paper
• Attend Confirmation Rehearsal and Confirmation Mass
• Fulfill the required stewardship hours
• Spend time in adoration

CERTIFICATE OF BAPTISM

THE CANDIDATES FOR CONFIRMATION MUST HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. IF THE STUDENT IS BAPTIZED AT ANOTHER PARISH, A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF BAPTISM SHOULD BE TURNED AT THE PARISH OFFICE.

CHOOSING A SAINT NAME

In our Catholic tradition we have honored the holy men and women before us with patronage by choosing a Catholic saint name for our Confirmation. Our bishop has asked that boys choose male saints and ladies choose female saints. A great option is to use your Baptismal name (if you were chosen after a saint) to strengthen the sacramental connection for Confirmation. The student will write a report on why the saint was chosen and how the student will emulate the saint. Deadline for saint name is December 17, 2017.

Confirmation Retreat

An overnight retreat will be held to ignite their spirit, celebrate mass, and to promote formation, preparation, reconciliation, and community building. Therefore, it is important that each of our students attend their required retreat. The retreat venue will be St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Letters of Request

The student will write a letter to the Most Reverend Bishop Timothy Doherty requesting the Sacrament for him/herself. The deadline for the letters will be no later than January 14, 2018. Sponsors/parents must proofread the letter before submitting. The candidate should include in the letter an explanation of his/her desire to be confirmed. Why does he/she want to be confirmed? What motivated him/her to enter the Confirmation process? It could also include highlights of the Confirmation preparation; or how the candidate’s life has changed since starting the process. What kind of Catholic would he/she like to become?

Parents’ Role in Confirmation

When it comes to faith, parents are the primary educators of their children. This role started at the child’s Baptism, and continues throughout his/her teenage and young adult life. Children learn from their parents’ faith examples. The two most important ways you can help form your children are to practice your faith and to pray. Show your children your commitment to prayer, your intentional participation at mass, and regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Confirmation is an important time for parents to be well versed in the content of the material uses to have a better idea to help their children prepare worthily for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Parents are encouraged to read and discuss with their son or daughter the material from Decision Point. Have a regular discussion about spiritual growth, morals, and most especially your Catholic faith.

Parents are expected to attend the introductory parent meeting. They are also expected to participate at liturgy with their children, and to encourage their children to participate in the Parish and Community Stewardship hours.

Parents can also help with other hospitality tasks of confirmation preparation, such as driving carpools for Community stewardship trips, preparing food for overnight retreats, and arranging refreshments.

Confirmation Sponsor

A sponsor for Confirmation must be 16 years of age or older, a practicing Catholic, and have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. If the sponsor does not belong to St. John Vianney, a letter is needed from their parish stating that they are an active and practicing Catholic. The sponsor cannot be a parent. A sponsor helps the candidate by sharing his/her faith examples for Confirmation preparation and guiding the candidate to live as true witness of Christ. The sponsor should be chosen and the letter be submitted to the parish office by December 3, 2017.

Confirmation Stewardship Hours Requirement

Stewardship hours requirement is 20 hours, which must be served between September 10, 2017 and February 25, 2018.

The two categories for the stewardship hours are Parish Stewardship hours and Community Stewardship hours. You must do 10 hours of service from each category. Examples of Parish Stewardship hours: Lector/read for our masses, serve as the Sacristan and set up for masses, or serve at a parish event. Examples of Community Stewardship hours: Visit a nursing home, visit the sick at a Hospital, volunteer at the Lord’s pantry, or volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul.

Service project guidelines

• Sunday and Holy Day mass attendance
• Service to non-family members only.
• You cannot accept payment for any of your service hours.
• Don’t double up Confirmation service hours with your school service hours.
• Fill out Confirmation service hours form, and have an adult in charge sign your service hours form.

Confirmation at St. John Vianney will be March 4, 2018.

Dates to Remember:

December 3, 2017 Confirmation Sponsor submission
December 17, 2017 Saint Name-Paper written 
January 14, 2018. Letter of Request to the Most Reverend Bishop Timothy Doherty
February 23-24 Overnight Retreat @ 6:00 pm- 5:30 pm 
February 25, 2018 Stewardship hours due

Check out the Confirmation Calendar for Community Stewardship opportunities.

Youth Minister: Gloria Hughey – ghughey@sjvfishers.com

CONFIRMATION CALENDAR
 

St. John Vianney Confirmation Calendar:

Sunday mornings, starting at 9:05 am & ending at 10:15 am