Confirmation of Teens

Are you an adult looking to receive Confirmation?

 

Confirmation of Teens:
Confirmation of Teens is offered for those young adults, grades 8 through high school, wishing to complete their Initiation into the Catholic Church. The two-year preparation process usually begins in grade 7, and is completed at the end of the eighth grade year. The sacrament is traditionally celebrated during the Easter Season. These parishioners (from Sts. Joseph and John School, St. Joseph PSR, and other area parochial schools) take part in a 2-year, parish-based preparation process for the reception of this sacrament. Contact the Faith Formation Office for more information.

Welcome to our 2025 Confirmandi

We emailed our anticipated list of Confirmation '25 participants on August 1st. If you do not see the email in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you homeschool your child, or have enrolled them at another area school (such as IWA), please send your contact information to Linda Zvoncheck at Turn on JavaScript! so we can add you to our list.

Confirmation 2025 (Updated 8-1-2024)

The Sacramental Intent Form for Confirmation 2025 is available here. If you have any questions about Confirmation, contact Linda Zvoncheck at Turn on JavaScript!.

Please check your email regularly!! Email will be our primary means of communicating with our Confirmation group!!  


Important Dates for Confirmation 2025 (posted 8-20-2024)

  • Confirmation Faith Formation - Tuesday, September 17th at 6:30pm in the HFC. For parents, candidates and sponsors (if they are available)
  • St. Joseph Parish Service Day - Saturday, October 5, 2024. A day of service opportunities for everyone in the parish. Additional info will be posted below under "Service Opportunities"
  • Confirmation Faith Night #1: Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 6:00-7:30pm in the HFC
  • Advent Reflections with Bishop Woost: Sunday, December 15, 2024, 7:00pm, in the church
  • NEW DATE: Confirmation Retreat - Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 1:00-6:00pm in the HFC and church. Parents and sponsors are invited to join the group for Mass at 5:00pm in the church.
  • Confirmation Faith Night #2: Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 6:00-7:30pm in the HFC
  • Parish Mission: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday March 24, 25 and 26, 2025. Plan on attending the Monday session in the church at 7:00pm. Option to return on Tuesday and Wednesday. Parents, confirmandi and sponsors are invited.
  • Faith Night #3: Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 6:00-7:30pm in the HFC. This meeting will include practice for the confirmandi (not sponsors).
  • We are excited to announce that our parish will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2:00pm with the Most Reverend Martin Amos!


The Red Confirmation Folder 2025 (Updated 9/10/24)
The Red Confirmation Folder will be given out at the Parent Meeting. The contents will be reviewed with the candidates. Here are the basics for the parents:
1. The folder contains the important dates for Confirmation preparation. You may access these dates here.

2. The folder contains a page to get the Confirmandi to start thinking about their Confirmation Sponsor. The requirements for being a Confirmation Sponsor are here.
3. The folder contains a page called the Bishop Barron Assignment. It talks about choosing a Confirmation Name. There is also an assignment to watch a video and write a reflection. You may access this page with the assignment and the video link here. You may access just the Bishop Barron video link here. 
4. The folder contains a page asking for the final decision on Confirmation Name and Sponsor. You may access this page here.
5. The folder contains a page explaining the Confirmation Service requirement. This page also explains what the Service Reflection (written assignment) should contain and when these assignments are due. You may access this page here. NOW is a great time to start serving others!!
6. The folder contains a page called Sponsor and Candidate Conversation Questions. These are questions to facilitate a conversation between the Confirmation candidate and their Sponsor. When the Confirmation candidate asks their sponsor to answer these questions, we hope they will be having a thoughtful conversation with one another. You may access this page here.
7. The folder contains a page called Confirmation Sponsor Responsibilities. This will help sponsors understand how we hope they will participate in the Confirmation preparation process. You may access this page here.

Letters of Hope
A Letter of Hope is an encouraging, heartfelt letter written by a parent or sponsor to the Confirmation Candidate. In the Letter of Hope, parents or sponsors can share prayers for the candidate, express support for their faith journey and tell of their pride in them and their accomplishments as they proceed toward Confirmation. Parents and sponsors may also share parts of their own faith journey with the candidate or discuss what their own relationship with Jesus and the Catholic Church has meant to them over their lifetime. The best letters are personal and from the heart. Letters of Hope can be challenging for parents and sponsors to write, but they are often very meaningful for the Confirmation Candidates to read. We hope that our parents and sponsors will take the time to share their personal faith experiences with their Confirmation Candidate, write the Letter of Hope, and give it to the Candidate just before Confirmation.

Confirmation Sponsors
A Confirmation Sponsor is someone who:

  • is over the age of 16
  • has been fully initiated in the Catholic Church (has been baptized in the Catholic Church, received First Communion and has been Confirmed themselves)
  • is a practicing Catholic who participates in the sacraments regularly (attends Mass, receive Reconciliation and receives Eucharist)
  • if married, is in a valid marriage (was married by a Catholic priest or deacon; marriage is recongnized as valid by the Catholic Church)
  • strives to live out their commitment to Christ and to the community life of the Church every day

The candidate's parent cannot be their sponsor.
Sponsors must get a Sponsor Certificate from the parish at which they are currently registered and practicing their faith. If the sponsor is currently registered at St. Joseph Catholic Church, the certificate mandate is waived.

Appropriate Dress for Confirmation Mass:
Confirmation is a significant event in every Catholic's faith journey. We expect the attire worn by both the Confirmation Candidates and their Sponsors to be respectful and to reflect the importance of this occassion. Boys and men are asked to wear dress pants or uniform pants, dress (non-athletic) shoes, a shirt with a collar and a tie. Girls and women are asked to wear skirts or dresses no shorter than just above the knee, or dress pants. Make certain all aspects of your outfit are church-appropriate. Contact the Faith Formation Office if you have questions.

Confirmation Service Component (Updated 5-23-24):
Service to God and one another are essential to being Catholic christians. Information on Catholic Social Teaching is available here. Students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Joseph Church are asked to participate in at least 3 different service experiences, to reflect thoughtfully on those experiences, to put those reflections into writing and to turn them in to the Faith Formation Office. Once you have completed each service experience, use this sheet to prepare your written Service Reflection. Just to be clear: we do not track service hours; we expect 3 different experiences, regardless of length. Type your reflection and turn in the paper to Linda Zvoncheck in the Faith Formation Office as soon as you have completed your service experience. You may turn in your service reflections at any time. Do not delay - write your reflection and turn it in as soon as you are able. If you have questions about the service component of your preparation, contact Linda Zvoncheck in the Faith Formation Office. NOW is a great time to get started with service!!

Service Opportunities (Updated 12-2-2024)

On most Sundays, during the 10:30 Mass, young children will have the opportunity to attend CLOW (Children's Liturgy of the Word). Adult leaders will lead the sessions, but teen helpers are needed. Follow this link for more information on CLOW and to sign up.

If you are interested in getting to know other Catholic teens, check out the By Teens, For Teens Youth Ministry page. 

 

  • Linda Zvoncheck, 440.238.5555, Turn on JavaScript!