CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

1. Participate in the Liturgy of the Mass each weekend, and receive the sacraments frequently. This is a time of spiritual preparation for you, when you should give more attention to developing your spiritual self.

2. Attend class each session, either on Monday from 5:00 to 6:30, or Tuesday or Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:30. We expect that you will make this class a priority, and adjust work and other obligations accordingly. You may not miss more than 2 classes throughout the year. Please see the schedule of classes and other pertinent dates. It is your responsibility to keep track of these dates, as other notices will not be given.

3. Complete the work in your textbook, and all other required work, both in class and at home. Be sure to have your book with you each week, as well as a folder and pencil or pen.

4. Perform a minimum of 20 hours of community service, including at least 10 hours performed here at Holy Redeemer. It is your opportunity to discover your own talents and gifts, using them in service to other people and to God. This is what we mean by Christian service and ministry, and should be your introduction to a life of giving yourself to others as a part of the Body of Christ. You will discover the joy it brings to those you serve and, perhaps surprisingly, to yourself as well. What kind of service are we talking about:

a) Service projects you perform as part of a school club or community organization. This does not include fundraisers for that organization, but service performed without monetary benefit. You must submit a letter or form from the adult advisor of the service project, listing the service performed and the hours given.

b) Service in one of our parish ministries, such as altar server, lector, choir, or CCD aide.

c) Participating in any service or social function in the parish, such as the Fall Festival, Project Bethlehem, providing child-care during parent meetings, serving at breakfasts, dinners, or receptions. We will inform you in class of upcoming service opportunities in the parish.

 

You all should be thinking about the 75 hours of community service you will need to perform before graduation from high school. Any and all service performed here at Holy Redeemer counts toward that requirement.

5. Attend the Confirmation Retreats. This is a mandatory part of your Confirmation preparation.

6. Choose a sponsor, following the guidelines on the Confirmation Sponsor Recommendation Form.

7. Complete assignments with your sponsor. These will be given and discussed in class.

8. Research the saint whose name you will choose as your Confirmation name. Prepare a presentation of your research as determined by your catechist. Research suggestions: Catholic.org; Catholic-pages.com; Catholic-forum.com; Americancatholic.org; Cin.org

9. Write a letter to our pastor requesting Confirmation, following a specified format that will be given in class. This should be considered a major undertaking, and you will be guided through each of the five parts in class. Letters should preferably be computer- or type-written, or very neatly handwritten in ink.

10. Attend the Confirmation Rehearsal with your sponsor.

11. Your Confirmation will be celebrated here at Holy Redeemer on a date yet to be determined.

PARENT REQUIREMENTS

1. You and your Confirmation candidate (and hopefully the rest of the family) must commit to attending Mass every week. If this has not been your family's practice in the past, I can assure you that you will notice the benefits by the time Confirmation comes around.

2. Assist your child in attending all class sessions and other required events. Class and pertinent dates are listed on the schedule given. Other notices will not be given, so please put these dates in your calendar now.

3. Commit to pray for your child every day, to assist in his or her spiritual development. This may not be any easy time for your candidates, and they all will need the strength and support your prayers will give.

4. Promote an open communication with your child regarding his or her spiritual life. Our spirituality is an integral part of ourselves which is easily ignored in today's hectic life. More is learned every day about the impact of our spiritual nature on every other aspect of our lives, from morals and ethics to how quickly we heal. Your child may be less aware of this part of him or herself, so be prepared to initiate the communication.

5. Attend specific liturgical celebrations with your child.

6. When this time of preparation is over, you must let your child decide whether or not to be confirmed. This may be the most important decision your child has to make regarding his own life, and should be made after much reflection and discussion with you. As a parent, you can require your child to participate in classes, service and retreats; these all lead to making an informed choice. Being confirmed is a major step, when the candidate makes all the promises that you made for him at Baptism and chooses to live as a disciple of Christ. It is a life choice that only the candidate can make.