Confirmation Preparation Registration Dear Confirmation Candidates and Parents, Confirmation is an important step in the lives of all Catholics through which candidates have the opportunity to personally appropriate the faith their parents and godparents received on their behalf at baptism. Candidates, as you grow into adulthood, Catholicism will hopefully continue to nurture your relationship with Jesus as well as be a strong foundation and stabilizing influence throughout your life. We have attached our schedule, which lists all the important events each candidate must attend. Please note that the registration deadline is Sunday, Oct 22, 2017. No registrations can be accepted after this date. (Please use the included checklist to ensure your registration is complete.) Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation; therefore a copy of the candidate s Baptismal Certificate is required. This copy does not have to be certified. Please do not send the original. If you are unable to locate the Baptismal Certificate, please contact the parish where the candidate was baptized. Each Confirmation Program is required to include a retreat, and our retreat is the most exciting and powerful part of our sacramental preparation. It will be at Camp Abbey in Covington on January 27 & 28, 2018. Please contact me asap if your child is unable to attend. Each candidate should select a saint name. The receiving of a name at Confirmation has a number of different sources in the history of the Church, but the biggest one comes from the idea of a name being associated with a change of life. The name of the saint should have some significance to you. Some people take St. Francis because they love nature, or some people take St. Therese of Lisieux because of the simplicity and practicality of her approach to the spiritual life. The list of saints could go on, but the idea is to pick somebody who says something about you. Check out the saints tab at www.americancatholic.org to look up Saints by name, date, or patron. One of the most important parts of Confirmation is choosing a sponsor. Candidates, you should take the time to think and pray on who you think would both challenge you in your faith as well as welcome your questions. Find someone who wants to see you grow and can be available throughout the whole process. In short, pick a sponsor whose faith you would be proud to emulate. Each candidate should schedule a Confirmation Interview. This gives them the opportunity to talk to us about their spiritual life and relationship with Christ and His Church on a more personal level. Interviews may begin being scheduled now via the parish website or by calling the parish office. Red confirmation gowns are worn during Confirmation Mass. If you have one from an older sibling you can use it. If you do not, I will order one for you. Please include your height on the Registration Form. If you have any questions, please contact me. In Christ, Ryan Foulon 504-466-5016 Youth Minister rfoulon@divinemercyparish.org
2017-2018 CONFIRMATION PREPARATION SCHEDULE Registration deadline: Sunday, October 22 The following activities are required in order to be confirmed in May at Divine Mercy Parish. Confirmation Retreat Jan. 27-28 Camp Abbey Cost $75.00 Orientation & 6pm Mass Sunday Nov. 5, 2017, at 4:15pm in the Parish Community Center. We will attend 6pm Mass as a group. Parents (at least one) and Sponsors are expected to attend with candidates. Sessions and Mass Sunday, January 14 Session 1 4:15pm-5:45pm, Community Center Sunday, January 21 10:30am Mass Lunch provided after in the Community Center. Sunday, January 27-28 Retreat Sunday, February 18 Session 2 4:15pm-5:45pm, Community Center Sunday, February 25 Session 3 4:15pm-5:45pm, Community Center Sunday March 4 6pm Mass & Life Night after. The Life Night ends at 8:45pm. Sunday, March 11 Session 4 4:15pm-5:45pm, Community Center Sunday, March 25 Session 5 4:15pm-5:45pm, Community Center Sunday, April 8 Session 6 4:15pm-5:45pm, Community Center Sunday, April 15 10:30am Mass Lunch provided after in the Community Center. Sunday, April 22 Session 7 4:15pm-5:45pm, Community Center Parish Life Each candidate should participate one of the Parish Life events offered during the program. TBA Interviews Each candidate should schedule an interview with Fr. David, Fr. Paul, Ryan, our DRE Jacques Delouche, or any of our Deacons. Interviews can be scheduled now. Call the parish office or visit the parish website to schedule. Rehearsal Tuesday, May 1 at 7:00pm in Church Sponsors are expected to attend rehearsal. If your sponsor cannot make it, please have someone stand in for him/her. Confirmation Mass Wednesday, May 2 at 7:00pm in Church Candidates should meet in the Parish Community Center at 6:00pm The Archbishop will meet with the candidates at 6:30pm. The Mass will begin at 7:00pm. There will be a reception after Mass in the Parish Community Center. Photography during Mass Please inform all family and friends that NO photography will be allowed in church during Confirmation. This includes still photos or video. The Bishop will be available for photos following the celebration.
CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION This form must be returned to the PARISH OFFICE no later than Oct 22, 2017 Confirmation registration fee: $35.00 If you need to order a gown ($20.00) please include your height. CANDIDATE INFORMATION (please print) LAST name FIRST name MIDDLE name SAINT name Age on the day of Confirmation (May 2, 2018) (As you would like it to appear on the certificate) DATE OF BAPTISM CHURCH OF BAPTISM CITY STATE ZIP Home Address City State Zip Home Phone Cell Phone Nickname/Preferred Name Gender Date of Birth Email Address (write legibly) SCHOOL currently attending 2017-2018 grade Years of Religious Education and where Registered member of Divine Mercy Parish? Y N If not, where: (You may not be confirmed at Divine Mercy without written permission from the Pastor of your Parish.) PARENT INFORMATION (please print) FATHER MOTHER NAME NAME MAIDEN NAME ADDRESS ADDRESS EMAIL (write legibly) EMAIL (write legibly) HOME PHONE CELL PHONE HOME PHONE CELL PHONE Minimum prerequisites for Confirmation Preparation: 1) Ongoing previous religious education, 2) Participating regularly in parish worship and sacramental life, 3) Minimum 11th grade, 4) COMPLETE participation in the Preparation Process. I have read and understand all the above prerequisites and am applying for entrance into the Confirmation Preparation Process at Divine Mercy Parish. CANDIDATE S SIGNATURE DATE ATTACH COPY OF BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE (NOT Birth Certificate)
CONFIRMATION PARENT VOLUNTEER FORM Parents, we believe that Confirmation is a process which should be celebrated and supported by the candidate s entire family. We need your help to put on the process! Please check if you are interested in receiving more information regarding helping with: Session facilitators There will be a facilitator orientation meeting to go over the program. Facilitators are asked to be present at the retreat if possible (Jan 27 & 28, 2018 Camp Abbey) Reception support These parents would help with setting up for the reception. Service Project These parents would assist with any number of the service opportunities throughout the program. Please check if you are interested in receiving more information regarding serving in any of the following liturgical ministries for Confirmation Mass (Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at 7pm). Ministers must be actively serving at Divine Mercy Parish. Altar server Lector Eucharistic Minister Thank you for volunteering! Someone will contact you at a later date. Parent s Name: Candidate s full name: Parent s Phone number: Parent s Email address:
Confirmation Sponsor Certificate of Eligibility PLEASE CAREFULLY READ the requirements for sponsorship before signing. Due by Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. Canons 872 and 874 of the Code of Canon Law lists the requirements and qualifications of those who serve as sponsors for the Sacrament of Confirmation. A Sponsor: 1. Must be mature enough to undertake this responsibility 2. Must have received the three sacraments of initiation, namely: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation 3. Must be no less than 16 years of age 4. Must believe all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches, and truly make a serious effort to live a good, moral life worthy of imitation; and sees to the religious instruction of his/her family 5. Must be an actively practicing Catholic, participating at Mass on Sundays and Holy days, and receiving the sacrament of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly 6. Must be canonically free to carry out this office. This means that Catholics publicly living in an invalid marriage [not married in the Catholic Church or have not had their marriage blessed by a priest] and those that are cohabitating [living together without marriage] cannot serve as a sponsor 7. Canon 874.5, sponsor cannot be the father or the mother of the one to be confirmed. Being a sponsor is not just an honor given to a good friend or relative. To be a sponsor means having a true appreciation of the Catholic faith and a sense of responsibility towards the spiritual well-being of the person being confirmed. *************** I declare that I am a member of the Parish listed below and that I meet all the requirements (listed above) to be a sponsor. Sponsor s Full Name: Email: Name of Sponsor s Church Parish: City and State of Church Parish: Sponsor s Signature: Phone #: Name of Child to be Confirmed: Sponsor s Church of Confirmation: Year Confirmed:
2017-2018 CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION CHECKLIST Confirmation registration form Payment for : Registration: $35.00 Robe: $20.00 (if needed) Payment for retreat: $75 Copy of Baptismal certificate (NOT Birth Certificate) Sponsor eligibility form Parent volunteer form (if volunteering) Checks made out to Divine Mercy Parish Registration deadline: Sunday, October 22, 2017