Steps towards Confirmation

toddler's standing in front of beige concrete stair

Step One – Enrol

When you’re ready to commit, complete the online registration form. But first, be aware of the requirements for Confirmation and the the dates for sessions; this will help candidates in choosing which preparation group to join! Also, candidates who weren’t Baptized at St. Joseph Church will need to provide a copy of their Baptismal Certificate.

Enrol here

Other important dates

For this project, choose a saint you admire whose faith witness inspires you to live a life of greater faithfulness, someone who can be your model and spiritual companion for the rest of your life. You will take on the name of this saint as your Confirmation name! Choose a saint with qualities you admire. (i.e. courage in the face of difficulties, dedicated to a rich prayer life, helping the poor, etc.) Choosing a Saint is a prayerful process. Ask God to inspire you in your prayers and reflections as you discern the name of a Saint for this project.
Here are a few suggestions:

  • Begin by finding Saints who share your first, middle or sometimes last names. Read the stories of these Saints and see if their lives attract you in some way.
  • The Internet is an easy way to search for the life stories of Saints.
  • Think about your interests. For example – if you are interested in music – look up the patron Saint of musicians.
  • Research the Saint whose feast day is the same as your birthday.
  • Talk to your parents and sponsor about their choices and their patron Saints.

If possible, choose a saint who is unique and special to you. It is important to learn about your chosen Saint and to share the life of your saint in your own words. Please do not just copy and paste the information from the internet.

Ready to begin? Get a copy of the Google Slides Template in the Google Classroom to complete and submit your Saint Project.

Please read all of the following before choosing a Confirmation Sponsor

Please prayerfully consider whom you would like as your sponsor, noting that a Sponsor for Confirmation is a role model in living the faith for the candidate.

Obtain evidence of the sponsor having received the Sacrament of Confirmation so it can be uploaded as you fill out the form. This can be a copy of the sponsor’s Confirmation Certificate or the sponsor’s updated Sacramental Record. A copy of the sponsor’s updated Sacramental Record can be obtained from the Church at which he or she is Baptized even if it was in another country. Alternatively, we can accept a photo of the Sponsor’s Confirmation a written and signed eyewitness testimony or a Confirmation or Baptism Certificate showing that the sponsor has taken on the role in the past.

 Requirements for Confirmation Sponsors:

  • Is at least 16 years of age;
  • Is a practicing Catholic;
  • Has received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation (Sponsor is required to provide a Copy of his/her Sacramental Record including Confirmation Date — this is obtained from the Parish where one was baptized)
  • Leads a life in harmony with the Roman Catholic faith;
  • Is not a parent of the candidate.

Use the progress QR code on the cover of the Confirmation Workbook to send information about a Sponsor.

Possible documents sponsors may use to demonstrate they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation:

If a potential Confirmation Sponsor was Baptized and Confirmed in a parish other than St. Joseph in Bowmanville, they will need to show they have have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. In most cases a Baptism Certificate is not enough, especially if there is no record of a Confirmation date. Here are examples of documents a potential sponsor may use to demonstrate they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation:

  • Confirmation certificate
  • Sacramental Record including date of Confirmation (a new copy of this can be obtained from the church of Baptism)
  • Baptism Certificate indicating they have been a Godparent in the past
  • Confirmation Certificate indicating they have been a Confirmation sponsor in the past
  • Letter from their own Confirmation Sponsor attesting they witnessed the Confirmation
  • Photograph of their Confirmation
  • Photograph showing they have previously been a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor
  • Letter from an eyewitness testifying they witnessed the Confirmation
  • Marriage certificate from a Catholic Church in a nation where Confirmation is required for Marriage along with a letter from a priest of that nation clarifying that Confirmation was required for Marriage in that nation at the time the marriage was celebrated.

Both physical or electronic copies of these documents are accepted.

Candidates encountering difficulties in selecting or finding a sponsor should contact the pastor by April 2nd.

At the first session, you received a Mass Reflection Journal. Participate in ten different Sunday Masses and fill out one reflection at or after each Mass. Particication at Mass online doesn’t count. After completing each page, give it to the priest at church or drop it off in the office mail slot. Candidates are welcome to participate at Mass in any Catholic church. School Masses and online Mass do not count. Candidates need to go to Mass.

Confirmation Day

  • Confirmations will be celebrated on June 14th at three different celebrations.

Step Two – Join an onboarding gathering

Parents and candidates need to join an onboarding gathering to learn more about preparing for Confirmation, to receive a workbook, begin preparing and get all questions answered. The session is expected to take 90 minutes. Parents should participate with their child. Families are free to come to any of the following onboardings:

  • Tuesday, October 1st at 7:30pm
  • Saturday, October 5th at 10:30am
  • Tuesday, October 8th at 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, January 14th at 7:30pm

Step Three – Attend seven youth group gatherings

Candidates will join seven youth group gatherings. These happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:15pm to 8pm in the main church hall.

Step Four – Participate in a Rite of Welcoming

Candidates are also expected to attend a Rite of Welcoming at the church during any Sunday Mass on: February 21st or 22nd

Step Five – Complete Ten Mass Journals (Due May 5th)

At the first session, you received a Mass Reflection Journal. Participate in ten different Sunday Masses and fill out one reflection at or after each Mass. Particication at Mass online doesn’t count. After completing each page, give it to the priest at church or drop it off in the office mail slot. Candidates are welcome to participate at Mass in any Catholic church. School Masses and online Mass do not count. Candidates need to go to Mass.

Step Six – Complete a Saint Project (Due March 17th)

For this project, choose a saint you admire whose faith witness inspires you to live a life of greater faithfulness, someone who can be your model and spiritual companion for the rest of your life. You will take on the name of this saint as your Confirmation name! Choose a saint with qualities you admire. (i.e. courage in the face of difficulties, dedicated to a rich prayer life, helping the poor, etc.) Choosing a Saint is a prayerful process. Ask God to inspire you in your prayers and reflections as you discern the name of a Saint for this project.
Here are a few suggestions:

  • Begin by finding Saints who share your first, middle or sometimes last names. Read the stories of these Saints and see if their lives attract you in some way.
  • The Internet is an easy way to search for the life stories of Saints.
  • Think about your interests. For example – if you are interested in music – look up the patron Saint of musicians.
  • Research the Saint whose feast day is the same as your birthday.
  • Talk to your parents and sponsor about their choices and their patron Saints.

If possible, choose a saint who is unique and special to you. It is important to learn about your chosen Saint and to share the life of your saint in your own words. Please do not just copy and paste the information from the internet.

Ready to begin? Get a copy of the Google Slides Template in the Google Classroom to complete and submit your Saint Project.

Step Seven – Select a Confirmation Sponsor (Due March 1st)

Please prayerfully consider whom you would like as your sponsor, noting that a Sponsor for Confirmation is a role model in living the faith for the candidate.

Obtain evidence of the sponsor having received the Sacrament of Confirmation so it can be uploaded as you fill out the form. This can be a copy of the sponsor’s Confirmation Certificate or the sponsor’s updated Sacramental Record. A copy of the sponsor’s updated Sacramental Record can be obtained from the Church at which he or she is Baptized even if it was in another country. Alternatively, we can accept a photo of the Sponsor’s Confirmation a written and signed eyewitness testimony or a Confirmation or Baptism Certificate showing that the sponsor has taken on the role in the past.

 Requirements for Confirmation Sponsors:

  • Is at least 16 years of age;
  • Is a practicing Catholic;
  • Has received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation (Sponsor is required to provide a Copy of his/her Sacramental Record including Confirmation Date — this is obtained from the Parish where one was baptized)
  • Leads a life in harmony with the Roman Catholic faith;
  • Is not a parent of the candidate.

Use the progress QR code on the cover of the Confirmation Workbook to send information about a Sponsor.

Possible documents sponsors may use to demonstrate they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation:

If a potential Confirmation Sponsor was Baptized and Confirmed in a parish other than St. Joseph in Bowmanville, they will need to show they have have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. In most cases a Baptism Certificate is not enough, especially if there is no record of a Confirmation date. Here are examples of documents a potential sponsor may use to demonstrate they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation:

  • Confirmation certificate
  • Sacramental Record including date of Confirmation (a new copy of this can be obtained from the church of Baptism)
  • Baptism Certificate indicating they have been a Godparent in the past
  • Confirmation Certificate indicating they have been a Confirmation sponsor in the past
  • Letter from their own Confirmation Sponsor attesting they witnessed the Confirmation
  • Photograph of their Confirmation
  • Photograph showing they have previously been a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor
  • Letter from an eyewitness testifying they witnessed the Confirmation
  • Marriage certificate from a Catholic Church in a nation where Confirmation is required for Marriage along with a letter from a priest of that nation clarifying that Confirmation was required for Marriage in that nation at the time the marriage was celebrated.

Both physical or electronic copies of these documents are accepted.

Candidates encountering difficulties in selecting or finding a sponsor should contact the pastor by April 2nd.

Step Eight – Pick a Confirmation Time

Confirmations will be celebrated on June 14th at three different celebrations. There won’t be a rehearsal, but candidates will be invited to serve in different ministries at these celebrations. For those who are ready in time, there will be an opportunity to choose a Confirmation time on May 7th.

What to wear

While gowns are not provided, there is no specific dress code for the Confirmation ceremony. While some may wish to purchase something special to wear for the day, there is absolutely no need to do so. The best clothes a candidate has in their closet already will be fine.

When to arrive

At the latest, candidates are expected to be seated with their family members and guests in their assigned pew by the beginning of their chosen Confirmation time. However, all are encouraged to arrive to the church ten to fifteen minutes early so there is time to find their assigned pew, greet guests and maybe take a few pictures. The church will be open at least one hour before each scheduled Confirmation liturgy.

Pictures

Candidates who arrive early have a great opportunity to take pictures with their loved ones inside or outside of the church. Immediately at the end of the liturgy, a group picture will be taken with the bishop and after that, the bishop and Fr. Craig will be available outside along the north edge of the church for individual pictures (weather permitting). Pictures may be taken during the liturgy by photographers who remain respectful of the sacred space (no standing on pews or kneelers).

Length of ceremony

The Confirmation liturgy is expected to take 60 to 90 minutes.

Check your progress

At any time, candidates can check their progress and attendance and submit their homework online using the link send in the Enrolment Confirmation email, or by using the QR code found on cover of the workbook.