Welcome to Saint James the Apostle Confirmation Program, below, please find important dates and information.
Please see link below to print out a copy of the letter to the Bishop Assignment.
Parent/Sponsor Participation: Our hope is that parents and sponsors continue to walk with their children during the Confirmation process, your gift of faith is an extremely important it gives the candidates a living example of God’s love for his children.
Community Service: The candidates are asked to complete at least 20 hours of service to the community. Parish organizations as well as other community groups contact the Religious Education Office throughout the year letting us know of opportunity for our students to serve the community. Parents and sponsors are encouraged to complete some of the time with their candidate. Please check the website for updates.
Confirmation Class: There is a separate curriculum for the Sacrament of Confirmation; class will be on March 20, 2012; April 17, 2012; May 15, 2012. The children gather in the Upper Auditorium at 6:30PM and run through 8:30. The final class will be Sunday, June 3, 2012 starting at 10:30 AM in the Upper Auditorium and concluding with the 12 Noon Mass in the Church. These classes as well as completion of the supplemental book are mandatory.
Name Report: The Name Report is a reflection paper that will be assigned the week of February 12th. The students will be given an instruction sheet outlining the assignment. (Parents will receive the information in an email) The name of the Saint they report on will be their Confirmation Name. Reports will be due on March 20th. Please see below for instructions.
Service Hour Reflection Forms: Candidates should bring completed service forms in on Tuesday, May 15th. Parents will receive verification of total service hours completed at the June 3rd meeting.
Bishop Letter: By early May we will have the name of the Bishop scheduled to preside at the Confirmation Mass, at that time, most of the students will have completed their community service. Candidates will be required to write a letter to the Bishop stating why they feel they are ready to receive Confirmation. The students will receive instructions at the May 15th class explaining the assignment (parents will receive an email) letters are due at the June 3rd class. Class on June 3rd will gather in the upper auditorium, parents meeting will start at 11:15AM. Parents will be given Mass assignments and be asked to verify Confirmation certificate information.
Confirmation Retreat: Date to be determined
Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1. Wisdom: The power to judge things in light of God’s standards and to make decisions and act according to God’s law.
2. Understanding: The power to better understand the mysteries of the religion, to know how to live life as follower of Jesus, and to apply the teachings of the Church.
3. Right Judgment: The power to make good decisions in matters of right and wrong, good and evil.
4. Courage: The power to stand up for your beliefs and the value of Jesus’ message even when it is difficult.
5. Knowledge: The power to know the value and worth of created things and see all of life and creation through God’s eyes.
6. Reverence: The power to treat God and people with honor, seeing people as made in God’s image.
7. Wonder and Awe: The power to recognize how awesome God is and go recognize this awe in his creation.
