What should I be doing now?

Since you need to turn in your packet (download the overview and forms available here) at the first class on February 24, at this time you should be working on:

1. Choosing a sponsor (see the requirements for a sponsor here)
2. Choosing a Confirmation name (and filling in the form for it)
3. Writing your reflection paper on a service project (see instructions here)
4. Completing the parish involvement requirement (see instructions here)
5. Filling out the Candidate Information Sheet (available here) and getting a copy of your baptismal certificate if you were baptized somewhere other than Assumption or Sacred Heart.

Finally, you should be striving for holiness, attending Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, praying every day and going to Confession regularly (but that all goes without saying, right?)

Curriculum Overview

Our preparation curriculum, centered on Sacred Scripture, the Catholic Catechism and the Sacred Liturgy, consists of eight Wednesday nights held at Sacred Heart, from 7 to 9pm and will include teaching, reflection and discussion and prayer. Classes will be taught by Lou St. Hilaire, Angus McDonell, Fr. Connolly and Fr. Nguyen.

Attendance is expected. If you have conflicts, you are expected to contact Lou and review the missed content with your parents or sponsor.

The classes will focus on the role of the Holy Spirit in creation, faith, Sacraments and life the believer.

UPDATE: Full schedule is now included below. Please note that the Sponsor-Candidate Night has been moved to to April 14.

Wed Feb 24 Night I: “Who Are We?: Introduction & the Holy Spirit in Creation” (Lou St.Hilaire)
Wed Mar 3 Night II: “Sacraments” (Fr. Nguyen)
Wed Mar 10 Night III: “Scripture: Jesus Christ, Anointed by the Holy Spirit” (Lou St.Hilaire)
Wed Mar 17 Night IV: “Spirituality: Meeting the Holy Spirit in Prayer & Worship” (Angus McDonell)
Wed Mar 24 Night V: “Vocation: The Holy Spirit Calls Us to Serve” (Dcn. Larry Kheriaty)
Wed Apr 14 Night VI: Sponsor-Candidate Night
Wed Apr 21 Night VII: “The Sacrament of Confirmation” (Fr. Connolly)

Wed Apr 28 Night VIII: Reconciliation Service


Please see the calendar for the full schedule, including the retreat and Confirmation rehearsal & liturgy.

Missed Classes

Since we have so few classes, attendance is expected at all of them. However, conflicts are sometimes unavoidable. If you are unable to attend a class, you are expected to read through the material in the blue folder at home, answer the questions for the night and spend a few minutes in prayer. Since the questions are for your own reflection, you do not need to turn them in, but I would like a note from your parents saying that you have covered the material.

Repeated abscences will be referred to Fr. Connolly or Fr. Nguyen.

Also, if you know that you will be missing a class, I would appreciate it if you let me know. In particular, if you have a recurring conflict, we will need make arrangements to make sure you recieve the proper preparation. Send me an e-mail at bellinghamconfirmation@gmail.com.

Parish Community Involvement Requirement

We are brought to Christ and follow Him not as individuals but as members of His Body, the Church. Thus, to be prepared to recieve His Spirit sacramentally in Confirmation, you need to be participating in the life of your parish. This means, first of all, faithfully attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.

In addition, we are asking you to do at least two of the following:

• Attend at least 5 Life Nights, 6-8pm Sundays at Assumption Church
• Be an Edge Core Team Member (Mondays 7-8:30pm) September 2008-May 2009
• Walk for Life Saturday early May, 8:30am-noon, Abundant Life Church, Bellingham
• Some other Parish activity you're involved in or would like to be involved in

Download Overview and Forms

If you missed the December informational meeting, the Confirmation preparation program overview and forms can now be downloaded here:

1. Confirmation 2010 Overview
2. Candidate Info Sheet
3. Confirmation Name Form

Forms are due at the first class on February 24.

Confirmation Information and Registration Meeting

All those wishing to be confirmed this year and their parents are asked to attend an information and registration meeting Thursday, December 10, 2009, 7:00 to 9:00pm at Sacred Heart Parish Hall.

Please contact Angus McDonell with any questions.

2010 Calendar

Wed Feb 24 7pm Confirmation Night I - Sacred Heart
Wed Mar 3 7pm Confirmation Night II - Sacred Heart
Wed Mar 10 7pm Confirmation Night III - Sacred Heart
Wed Mar 17 7pm Confirmation Night IV - Sacred Heart
Wed Mar 24 7pm Confirmation Night V - Sacred Heart
Wed Apr 14 7pm Confirmation Night VI - Sacred Heart
Fri Apr 16-Sun Apr 18 Retreat - Camp Hamilton
Wed Apr 21 7pm Confirmation Night VII - Sacred Heart
Wed Apr 28 7pm Confirmation Night VIII - Sacred Heart
Tue May 18 7pm Confirmation Rehearsal - Assumption
Wed May 19 7pm Confirmation - Assumption (Confirmandi & Sponsors arrive by 6:00pm)