Dear Confirmation Candidates and Parents,
We have news concerning the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation.
This year Confirmation will be celebrated on Saturday March 5 and Saturday March 12. Confirmation will be celebrated in Grade 8 instead of 9th grade.
By celebrating the Sacrament at this time we are providing a more intensive preparation process that focuses on the Sacrament of Confirmation specifically. It is the opportunity for us to continue the formation process after the celebration as well. Celebrating Confirmation during the school year (in the midst of religious formation) helps to integrate the experience of the Sacrament into everyday life.
With the unpredictability our present health crisis, we have decided to move ahead with these date and continue to carefully monitor the situation. When we adjusted how the sacrament was celebrated two years ago, we thought we would be returning to the former way soon, but that isn’t the case. If we need to adjust the celebrations along the way, we will inform you of that.
So that we can continue the preparations for the Sacrament, we ask that you read and complete the attached two paged form, and return to the Religious Education Office by February 1.
Below is information concerning the Celebration to assist with your planning.
CONFIRMATION LITURGY
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated during the Liturgy of the Word. The liturgy will be about an hour with 50-65 candidates at each liturgy.
The times of the Confirmation Liturgy are:
Saturday, March 5 at 10:30 AM (Religious Education and Brother Fox)
Saturday, March 5 at 12:30 PM (Saint Agnes School)
Saturday, March 12 at 10:30 AM (Religious Education and Brother Fox)
Saturday, March 12 at 12:30 PM (Religious Education, Brother Fox)
INFORMATION FORM
Please complete the information form. Please PRINT CLEARLY and complete the entire form. Please follow the direction when selecting a date. Dates will be confirmed within 72 hours by email.
NUMBER OF GUESTS
Please feel free to invite 8 people per candidate to the Confirmation liturgy. This is in addition to the candidate and sponsor. There will be no tickets issues.
LIVE STREAM
The Confirmation Liturgy will be live streamed for those unable to be present. We will send out the links for each liturgy a week before the celebration. The link may be shared with anyone you wish. Also, the liturgies can be viewed live on the parish website.
PHOTOGRAPHER
A photographer has been hired to photographer the liturgy, the confirmations and take a group photo.
MARCH 1--EVENING OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION (HOLY HOUR)
On Tuesday, March 1, there is a special evening of prayer for the candidates in Saint Agnes Cathedral. The time of prayer will include exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, music, readings and reflection. This is in place of the candidates retreat requirement.
REHEARSAL
Dates for rehearsal will be announced later this week.
SPONSOR TESTIMONY FORMS
Once the Information Form has been returned, we will send out the Sponsor Testimony Form to the Sponsor. The Form must be completed by the sponsor and/or by the pastor/priest of the Church where the sponsors regularly attends Mass.
If a sponsor is unable to be present for the Confirmation, they still may be the official sponsor and someone else may be appointed their proxy. Please note the requirements for a sponsor apple to the proxy as well. We will also need the proxy’s name. Information about the requirements for a sponsor will be sent later in the week.
SACRAMENTAL MATERIALS FEE
There is a $65.00 fee for materials connected to the final preparations and the celebration of the Sacrament. This fee includes printing, robes, photographer, musicians
If the candidate has an appropriately fitting RED robes for the past few years, the fee is reduced to $50.00.
Please make checks payable to St. Agnes Religious Education.
We hope this information will help in you further preparations for the Celebration. Details will continue to be sent out as we move closer.
Let us continue to pray for our young people asking the Holy Spirit to open their hearts, enlighten their minds and grace them with passionate faith.
