Happy New Year to all our Confirmation students and their families!
While there are many restrictions still in place, our schools are preparing to safely reopen soon. We are confident at this time,that our Confirmation preparation can safely continue with in-person small groups.
We will stay with our original scheduled dates, although some of the topics will be reworked due to the December break. The Net Retreat is scheduled for January 30 and we have 14 students who still need to participate. If you have not turned in a registration form, find it below.
NET Retreat Form
There are quite a few students with “homework” still due from sessions they were unable to attend. Please remind them to get those assignments turned in as soon as possible.
The Archbishop has now cancelled all of the Confirmation liturgies scheduled at the Cathedral through June. He will allow Confirmation to be celebrated at individual parishes, with the Pastor as the celebrant.
He and Bishop Cozzens may also available to come to the parish for the Liturgy, if their schedule allows. We will keep our date, May 16, and will request one of the Bishops to be the celebrant. In the event that neither Bishop is available for that date, we will proceed with our Pastor, Fr. Dave, as our celebrant.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, January 10. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.
Blessings to you and yours,
Jill Skaife
Students meeting all the preparation requirements will receive the sacrament at 2:00 p.m. at SEAS on Sunday, May 16, 2021.
Calendar NET Retreat Form
At SEAS, children have typically been prepared and received the sacrament of Confirmation in 9th grade. However, it has been decided that preparation and reception of Confirmation can now happen in 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Reception of the sacrament of Confirmation should only be pursued if it is truly desired by the recipient. We want the youth in our parish to understand that this sacrament is available to them when they are ready to receive it and truly desire it.
Due to the current circumstances, adjustments have been made to the Confirmation program. Hopefully, in future years, we will be able to return to our normal program. Please read the information for this year’s program carefully.
Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation will take place each Sunday at the parish. In order to follow guidelines, there will be two separate sessions each lasting one hour. These sessions will go from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Each session will have one small group for boys and one for girls. The entirety of the session will be spent in these small groups. The small groups will be led by adult catechists including myself. The purpose of the content in these small groups will be to prepare the Candidates for the sacrament, go deeper in relationship with Christ, and gain an understanding of what it means to be a Disciple. This will be achieved in teachings/testimonies, prayer, and small group discussion.
In order to follow current guidelines, all those in attendance will be required to wear a mask. While in small group, participants will be seated six feet apart. After each session, all surfaces will be sanitized. In addition to the Bible, notebook, and folder Candidates will be given on the first day, they are also asked to bring their own writing utensil. .
I am looking forward to this year of Confirmation preparation and walking with your children on this path of faith.