·        Registration and fee – Due May 19, 2008

·        Baptismal Certificate (copies only, no originals please!)  Due May 19, 2008

·        Weekly Participation – Students will participate on a weekly basis.  Twice a month, we will hold classes during PSR time (Sunday morning 10:10-11:30).  On alternating Sundays, Confirmation Students are asked to participate in LifeTeen (Sunday evenings 6:30-8:00). 5:30 Sunday Mass is a weekly requirement, regardless of whether a class or LifeTeen is being held that day.  A calendar of class dates and LifeTeen sessions will be provided for your convenience.

·        Sponsor Form – Will be mailed to your sponsor (Sponsors, please submit to your pastor to sign, then mail or fax to St. Joseph Church) You may print a copy of the sponsor form here

·        Research Paper – Will be completed in class

·        Signed Service Hour Forms – Due February 1, 2009

·        Completed Book and Sponsor booklet --  Due August 10, 2008

·        Intensive Weekend –  Students will participate in a one-weekend intensive program during the weekend of August 9 and 10, 2008.  Please reserve both full days in your calendar.

·        Retreat – Students will participate in a day retreat in the Spring of 2009.              More information will be provided in the Fall of 2008.

·        Please plan to join us on June 1 and June 8, 2008 for LifeTeen (Sundays 6:30-8 pm).  Additional Confirmation material will be given during these sessions.

·        Comprehension Test – Will be given in Spring 2009.

Registration Form and Fees

Please complete the enclosed Registration Form (both sides) so we have an accurate record for your family and the appropriate medical information needed in the event of an emergency. With your registration, you will need to pay a one-time fee of $75 (this is your only fee during the duration of the Confirmation Program).  Your fee covers the cost of retreats, supplies, books, sponsor materials, and Confirmation Robes.  Your fee covers all costs during the Spring of 2008 and the School Year of 2008-2009.

A copy of your Baptismal Certificate is needed at the start of the Confirmation Program.    After you receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we use the information listed on your Baptismal Certificate to notify your Baptismal Parish that you have been Confirmed.   

Sponsor

            Student and Sponsor books

You will need to choose a sponsor who will help lead you through the Confirmation Process.  Your sponsor needs to be 16 years of age (or older), Confirmed, and a practicing Catholic.  You may choose a relative, but not one of your parents.  It is not necessary to choose someone who lives locally, but you will need to choose someone you are able to contact easily and with whom you have a close relationship.  Your sponsor will be required to show that they are active, participating and supportive in their parish (The form is signed by your sponsor and your sponsor’s pastor. The form will be sent to your sponsor using the address submitted on your registration form.  Please notify Nicole Aitken if you need to make any changes).

You will receive two books:  A Confirmation student textbook and a sponsor book that follows the same format and material as the student book.  In person or on the phone, you need to complete your book with your sponsor.  Both books should be submitted on August 10^th, 2008 during the Intensive Weekend.

This paper will be written in class, but research should be done before you come to class.  Please bring all materials with you to class on August 31, 2008.

25 service hours are required over the course of your 8^th and 9^th grade Confirmation Participation.  All hours must be completed between May 19, 2008 and February 1, 2009  (Hours may be submitted as they are completed.)

Community Service—10 hours.  Please choose organized events to volunteer in your community.  These may include beach cleanups, working with Senior Citizens, volunteering at elementary schools, etc.  Hours that are used as community service for school may also be used for credit for Confirmation.                                     

Ministry Service—10 hours.  This type of service involves you participating in ministries in our church community.  There are many ways you can be active at our Parish, including assisting with PSR, Arts and Environment committee, helping with Vacation Bible School or events like Pancake Breakfasts, etc.  We have compiled a list of church ministries you can contact to volunteer!                                                                        

Liturgical Ministry—5 hours.  These hours are completed during Mass (1 Mass=1 hour of participation).  You may volunteer to serve in Mass in a variety of different ways.  You may sign up to be a lector, usher, greeter, music (band or choir), altar server, etc.  You will be able to sign up during Confirmation Class.  Some ministries may involve separate training.

* START NOW.  There are many opportunities to serve and there are so few hours to complete!  You’d be surprised how quickly February comes!  All service hours, both church and community, must be scheduled and recorded by the student.  Please submit all hours on your service forms.  Your hours are due February 1, 2009, but you may submit hours as you complete them.

Students must also plan to attend an Intensive Preparation Weekend on August 9 and 10, 2008.

Attendance at Classes

Church Attendance

Attendance at the 5:30 Sunday Mass is a weekly requirement for each Confirmation student.  Families and friends are welcome – and encouraged -- to join us!  If you cannot attend Mass with us at 5:30 on Sunday, the student must find another Mass to attend during the weekend and have a bulletin signed by the priest who is celebrating the Mass.  A list of these Mass times can be found on www.sjcflorida.org or in our church bulletin.

Comprehen-sion Test and Basic Prayers

Each student is required to pass a basic comprehension test (now required also for receiving the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion at St. Joseph Church) before they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Don’t worry!  You will be given a copy of the exact test, as well as the answers to help you study.  You will also need to be able to recite the The Sign of the Cross, The Our Father, The Hail Mary, and The Glory Be in English. 

Confirmation Mass

All students who complete their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation in the St. Joseph Community will be Confirmed in the Spring of 2009 by Bishop Barbarito in St. Joseph Church.  Our Confirmation Mass will be held on Sunday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m.