Confirmation Preparation Process

Youth Confirmation

Registration
Registration for our 2011-2013 Youth Confirmation Preparation Process is underway. Registration Packets are available in the parish office and the REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 9^th. New Confirmation Parent Orientations will be held on Monday August 8, Wednesday August 17, and Sunday August 28 from 7:00-8:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend one of these informative program orientations.

Prerequisites
Candidates must be entering 9^th, 10^th, or 11^th grade. Candidates must be Baptized. (Candidates who have not received First Communion will prepare for the Sacraments of First Communion and First Reconciliation during their Confirmation Preparation Process with additional meetings required.)

Length of Preparation Process
Two school years (late September / early October through May each year)

Meetings
At the parish 1-2 Sunday afternoons per month. Most sessions run from 3:00-5:30 pm + 5:30 Mass attendance. (Candidate & Sponsor and Candidate & Parent Sessions are longer.) Year One Schedule.

Attendance
It is preferable for all Candidates to attend every session, but up to three absences a year will be tolerated. No make-up sessions.

Retreats
One weekend each year (Friday evening – Sunday evening). The Year One Retreat is generally held the weekend before Thanksgiving and the Year Two Retreat is generally held in early-mid April. Retreats are held at Camp St. Nicholas in Frazier Park with transportation by charter bus.

Service Requirement
The service requirement for the 2011-2013 Preparation Process will be 30 hours of volunteer service. At least 15 of these hours must be completed through a parish ministry. The other 15 hour can be completed through any organization. (Confirmation Candidates can receive time and a half credit when a parent works with them in parish ministry. Some restrictions apply.)

Cost
$75 annual program fee and $175 fee per retreat. Multiple payments are acceptable and financial assistance is available to those who need it.

Confirmation Sponsor
Each Confirmation Candidate must choose a Confirmation Sponsor. Sponsors must be fully initiated and practicing Catholics, follow the rules of the Church concerning marriage, be at least 16 years of age, and may NOT be a parent or guardian of the Candidate. The Confirmation Sponsor is to serve as a mentor and guide to the Candidate as they live and grow in their Catholic faith during and after their time of preparation for the Sacrament. The Choice of a Confirmation Sponsor deserves considerable thought. Advised by their parents, the Confirmation Candidate is to choose their Sponsor. Sponsors should be able to attend annual Candidate & Sponsor sessions and the Confirmation Liturgy and rehearsal.

Confirmation Liturgy
Our Confirmation Liturgy at which Candidates receive the Sacrament generally takes place in mid to late May at 3:00 pm on a Sunday. Rehearsal for the Candidates and their Sponsors is held the night before.

Volunteer Ministry Opportunities
Small Group Facilitator
Peer Minister
Retreat Chaperone
Retreat Nurse

Contact
Director of Youth Ministry: Andrew Gafvert at (818) 710-1662 or email stbcym@gmail.com

Updated: 8/21/2011