Confirmation preparation 2021-2022
Safety Procedures
Our diocese has been working with the other dioceses in our area and the State of Illinois to ensure that we are following all health and safety guidance. While our programs will look different, our hope is that we can still gather together as a community, share our stories, and experience how God is present in our lives through our Catholic tradition. Please take time this week to talk with your family about our new procedures to ensure that we are able to meet safely throughout the year.
The Diocese of Joliet has released updated guidance especially for faith formation programs with children. You can review the full document here but highlights are below:
All individuals must remain at home when sick or experiencing any symptoms to minimize the chance of
spreading COVID-19 or other germs and viruses.
In keeping with state of Illinois mandates and with the recommendations of public health authorities, we will start the school year requiring masks for all individuals while inside education buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
Exposed students and staff who are masked and three feet from a confirmed case indoors are not considered close contacts in the new CDC guidance. Therefore, consistent, and correct mask use will drastically reduce the number of students and staff needing to quarantine. No masks are required outdoors, regardless of vaccination status.
All eligible students, teachers and staff are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as an act of charity. Fully vaccinated individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and are asymptomatic are not required to quarantine. Proof of vaccination will be required to avoid quarantines.
Arrangement of desks should allow for three feet physical distancing from center point of chair to center point of chair (mouth to mouth). Seating charts should be maintained in all classrooms in the event they are needed for contact tracing purposes. Staff and students should use hand sanitizer every time they enter a room.
When eating inside, schools or religious education programs should strive to achieve as much physical distancing between students as possible, although students no longer need to face in the same direction. When space and weather permits, have the students eat outside to reduce the risk of transmission.
Fully vaccinated students/teachers/staff do not need post-travel COVID-19 testing or self-quarantines if they are not symptomatic and provide proof of vaccination.
Unvaccinated students/teachers/staff must follow the prevailing post-travel quarantine recommendations when traveling to Orange States. This currently means a 10-day quarantine OR proof of a negative test no earlier than 72 hours prior to returning to Chicago (or anytime post return, though an individual must quarantine until a negative test result is received). A negative test = no quarantine required.
The Diocese of Joliet has released updated guidance especially for faith formation programs with children. You can review the full document here but highlights are below:
All individuals must remain at home when sick or experiencing any symptoms to minimize the chance of
spreading COVID-19 or other germs and viruses.
In keeping with state of Illinois mandates and with the recommendations of public health authorities, we will start the school year requiring masks for all individuals while inside education buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
Exposed students and staff who are masked and three feet from a confirmed case indoors are not considered close contacts in the new CDC guidance. Therefore, consistent, and correct mask use will drastically reduce the number of students and staff needing to quarantine. No masks are required outdoors, regardless of vaccination status.
All eligible students, teachers and staff are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as an act of charity. Fully vaccinated individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and are asymptomatic are not required to quarantine. Proof of vaccination will be required to avoid quarantines.
Arrangement of desks should allow for three feet physical distancing from center point of chair to center point of chair (mouth to mouth). Seating charts should be maintained in all classrooms in the event they are needed for contact tracing purposes. Staff and students should use hand sanitizer every time they enter a room.
When eating inside, schools or religious education programs should strive to achieve as much physical distancing between students as possible, although students no longer need to face in the same direction. When space and weather permits, have the students eat outside to reduce the risk of transmission.
Fully vaccinated students/teachers/staff do not need post-travel COVID-19 testing or self-quarantines if they are not symptomatic and provide proof of vaccination.
Unvaccinated students/teachers/staff must follow the prevailing post-travel quarantine recommendations when traveling to Orange States. This currently means a 10-day quarantine OR proof of a negative test no earlier than 72 hours prior to returning to Chicago (or anytime post return, though an individual must quarantine until a negative test result is received). A negative test = no quarantine required.
Confirmation Preparation Guide
Overview
“Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.” (CCC 1309)
Our hope is to help young people to understand the sacrament of Confirmation in the context of Initiation and full participation in the life of the Catholic Church. This process began at Baptism and has been supported throughout the years by parents and faith formation. Our program is composed of four components including prayer, service, community, and catechesis that provide a comprehensive approach. Active parishioners will begin their immediate preparation for Confirmation in 9th grade.
Annual Checklist
“Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.” (CCC 1309)
Our hope is to help young people to understand the sacrament of Confirmation in the context of Initiation and full participation in the life of the Catholic Church. This process began at Baptism and has been supported throughout the years by parents and faith formation. Our program is composed of four components including prayer, service, community, and catechesis that provide a comprehensive approach. Active parishioners will begin their immediate preparation for Confirmation in 9th grade.
Annual Checklist
- Register with our Office
- Attend Chosen Formation Sessions and makeup any absences
- Submit at least 20 hours of service experiences each year on our website
- Attend annual retreat
- Participate in small group community, spiritual, and service activities
- Choose Confirmation Name and Sponsor and submit online by 10/1/2021
- Submit service hours on our website by 03/01/2022
- Letter to the Pastor and Service Learning Reflection sent by email to the Youth Ministry Office by 03/01/2022
- Schedule Confirmation Interview and complete by 05/1/2022
- Please prepare using this list of questions - Confirmation Interview Questions
catechesis
Youth are expected to be actively involved in regular catechesis throughout their preparation. These sessions will continue in small groups throughout freshman and sophomore year. They will incorporate a general instruction in the Catholic tradition as well as sessions on sacramental theology. This is the core component of preparation for Confirmation and attendance is mandatory.
See Chosen Calendar
See Chosen Calendar
service learning
See the Service Learning Guide
Chosen digital platform
choosing a sponsor
The Catechism suggests that confirmands should choose a spiritual mentor to help them prepare for Confirmation. It is most appropriate for that sponsor to be one of the baptismal godparents to emphasize Confirmation as part of sacraments of Initiation and connected to Baptism. If that is not possible, a sponsor may be chosen who is a confirmed, active Catholic over the age of 16 who is free from any impediment of law to fulfill their role as sponsor and not the parent of the candidate.
christian name
Our diocesan policy states:
Candidates whose given/baptism name is not Christian should choose a Confirmation name from the names of canonized saints. Other candidates may choose a Confirmation name. Whether they keep their baptism name or choose a confirmation name, the candidates should have a good knowledge of their patron saint (even if they have chosen the name to honor a relative or friend).
Candidates whose given/baptism name is not Christian should choose a Confirmation name from the names of canonized saints. Other candidates may choose a Confirmation name. Whether they keep their baptism name or choose a confirmation name, the candidates should have a good knowledge of their patron saint (even if they have chosen the name to honor a relative or friend).
rite of calling & sponsor meeting
This is on hold during Covid restrictions.
annual retreat
Each year, our Peer Ministers facilitate retreats for the freshmen and sophomores. The retreat includes large group activities, small group discussions, prayer experiences, and meals. Please talk to all coaches, teachers, or activity leaders in advance to let them know you must attend this retreat.
The Freshmen Retreat will take place on November 5th from 6:00-11:00 PM and November 6th from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is mandatory for all freshmen.
The Sophomore Retreat will take place on February 25th from 6:00-11:00 PM and February 26th from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is mandatory for all sophomores.
The Freshmen Retreat will take place on November 5th from 6:00-11:00 PM and November 6th from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is mandatory for all freshmen.
The Sophomore Retreat will take place on February 25th from 6:00-11:00 PM and February 26th from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This is mandatory for all sophomores.
letter to the pastor
To demonstrate their preparedness to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, confirmands are expected to submit at least a one full page reflection explaining how they have been prepared and their reasons for wanting to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. This reflection is for the benefit of the confirmand and helps them to understand how they are responding to God’s call. It should be submitted to the Youth Ministry Office and addressed to Fr. Max prior to the Confirmation Interviews. Here is an example from a previous confirmandi - Letter to the Pastor Guidelines
Service learning reflection
In order to help confirmandi integrate learning from their service work, they should incorporate theological reflection into the process. Each sophomore must submit a two page theological reflection paper based on a teaching of the Catholic tradition and their experience of service. You must use the process described on our website. All service hours and reflections will be turned into the Youth Ministry Office for review before interviews sophomore year.
interviews
Confirmands will meet with the Director of Youth Ministry or Pastor to review their preparation to be confirmed in March or April. If you need to make other arrangements, please email us. Please prepare using this list of questions - Confirmation Interview Questions.
Rehearsal
TBD
Dress Code
Please have the boys wear dress slacks, shirt and tie. The girls should wear dresses, skirts or dress slacks. Please remind the girls to maintain modesty in regard to the length of their skirt and the neckline. Sponsors should be encouraged to follow a similar dress code. Please be sure that the name tag is clearly visible to the Bishop and not covered by hair or clothing.
Confirmation MasS
TBD