Dear Confirmation I Candidate,

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1 Dear Confirmation I Candidate, It is with great joy and excitement that we welcome you to the first year of preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. You have made an obvious commitment to your faith and have demonstrated your love of God by undertaking this commitment. Keep in mind that this program is designed to lead you to the day you will be celebrating your Confirmation. However, your Confirmation does not end at the Confirmation Mass, it is the beginning of a lifelong process of growth. The ultimate goal of this Confirmation Program is to prepare you not just to celebrate the sacrament, but to living out your life in faith. Our Confirmation preparation process includes intellectual growth, spiritual formation, and Christian service and leadership. Detailed explanations of these components can be found in the pages that follow. Please review this packet with your parents, and make sure you both sign and turn in the agreement at the back of the handbook. This process is designed to assist you in experiencing a conversion of heart and lifestyle prior to receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. It is our hope that the process will be fun, that you will learn and grow with each other. Keep in mind as a candidate for Confirmation, it is your choice to be Confirmed. Participation throughout this year will help you make your decision. This is a life journey to be walked in community with others. The parish looks forward to making this journey with you. If we can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to come to us! The Confirmation Staff Tim Reid Barbara Catiller Alena Franson Director of Youth, Young Adult, Director of Parish Faith Formation Youth, Young Adult, and Confirmation Programs Confirmation Admin. Assistant Confirmation Program Phone Number: (949) Confirmation Program Address: Confirmation@stmirvine.org

2 Confirmation One Class Schedule Monday Confirmation One Classes 7pm - 8:30pm September 11 September 25 October 9 *SUNDAY, October 22 *7pm to 8:30pm* November 13 December 11 January 22 February 5 February 26 March 12 April 16 April 30 May 14 Wednesday Confirmation One Classes 7pm - 8:30pm September 13 September 27 October 11 *SUNDAY, October 22 *7pm to 8:30pm* November 15 December 13 January 24 February 7 February 28 March 14 April 18 May 2 May 16

3 CONFIRMATION ONE REQUIREMENTS 1) Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation 2) Confirmation One Sessions 3) Community Life of the Church (both parish and diocese) 4) Confirmation Events 5) Service Hours 6) The Confirmation Year One Retreat 7) Prayer Life of the Community (including Reconciliation) 8) Participation of both parents and sponsors 1. The following are suggestions of ways in which parents and sponsors can be involved a. Attending Mass with Candidate b. Attending special days of faith formation, prayer, and reflection with candidate c. Participating in Service projects with candidate d. Supporting candidate by helping the program with driving, chaperoning, and other tasks e. Committing to grow together in faith REQUIREMENTS The following are explanations of each of the requirements to be fulfilled during the year. Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation This requirement is due weekly. Mass is our greatest prayer as Catholics and as a Catholic, we are all asked to be present at Mass every week. If there are ever any concerns about this requirement, please reach out to us. The Holy Days of Obligation are: All Saints Day - November 1st Immaculate Conception - December 8th Christmas Day - December 25th Solemnity of Mary - January 1st Assumption of Mary - August 15th

4 Attendance at all Confirmation ONE Classes We will have two classes a month most often, but during some months you will only have one class due to holidays and school vacations. We ask that you are present at these classes because there are so few classes and so much we would like to share with the teens about our beautiful Catholic faith. Candidates must attend 80% of the Confirmation one classes. Please contact the office as soon as possible if you are going to miss a class. We will have a few life nights throughout the year that will be allowed to be a makeup class for a missed Confirmation class. We will keep you posted as they come. Confirmation Year One Retreat This requirement is due by the last Year One Retreat we offer. More information on that will come out at a later date. Participation in the Community of Life of the Church Diocesan Event : This requirement is due May 6, You are only required to do one Diocesan Youth Event per Confirmation Year. Events that are open to an entire diocese and do not occur at St. Thomas More are considered Diocesan Youth Events. We will give as much notice as possible when we find out about Diocesan Youth Events so that you have every opportunity to complete this requirement. Please contact the office if you are not sure if a particular event fits the requirement. Attending Special Confirmation Events a. Candidate/Parent/Teacher Meeting - Sept 11 or Sept 13th: 7pm - 8:30pm Participation in the Prayer Life of the Community A. Sacrament of Reconciliation Each candidate is expected to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once during this school year. This sacrament is offered here at STM every Saturday from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. We recommend going as often as possible. B. Parish Prayer Event - Due May 6th The purpose of this requirement is to expose candidates to different forms of prayer. This is due by May 6th. Some examples of this are: Eucharistic Adoration (Every 22nd of the Month and Fridays from 6:00-7:00pm) Advent or Lent Prayer Services

5 Rosary at the Parish Stations of the Cross Youth Ministry Prayers Services Liturgical Meditations C. Life Night at STM - Due May 6th The purpose of this requirement is to expose candidates to additional ways to grow in their faith during and after Confirmation. Attending Life Nights allows the teens to experience Christ in a way that is different than how they learn in a classroom environment. Service Hours You are asked to complete 2 Service Projects per Confirmation Year. One will be due in December and the other in May. Both can be turned in as soon as you d like. Any service hour that is done voluntarily is considered a valid service hour. We will be sending out s about service opportunities from within the church as we find out about them and you can sign up to volunteer. Please contact the office if you are not sure if a particular service fits the requirement. Additional Important Deadlines: Favorite Saint Report: Simple report to go learn more about the Saints This year you will be asked to choose your sponsor. The requirements for your sponsor are: 1. This person is register at a Catholic Parish 2. At least 16 years of age 3. Has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation 4. If married, this person must be married in the Catholic Church 5. This person is a member in good standing within a parish and is an appropriate choice to sponsor a teen who is receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation