Blessed Sacrament Confirmation News

PREPARATION
Becoming a fully initiated member of the Roman Catholic Church is the personal choice of an individual. After dialogue with their family and parish ministers, some individuals may decide to delay this commitment to full participation in the Church. It is important to remember that people grow in different ways. The length of time it takes for a person to be ready for full membership in the community depends “on the grace of God and on various circumstances.” (Introduction to the Rite of Christian Initiation #320)

READINESS AND WILLINGNESS
The process for determining readiness is one in which the individual who is seeking to enter a Confirmation preparation process is encouraged to dialogue with family, sponsors, parish priests, and catechetical ministers.

Indications of readiness include:
-Weekly participation in the Eucharist and prayer life of their faith community
-The ability to freely request the Sacrament of Confirmation and give the reasons for doing so
-An adequate grasp of the basic content of the Catholic faith
-A recognition by the candidate that s/he is a unique individual with gifts to offer and a willingness to share these gifts with the community

REQUIREMENTS/PARTICIPATION
-Attendance at the Commitment Mass and Retreat on Sunday October 29, 2006 at 9:00AM Mass. The retreat will immediately following the Mass and conclude by 1:30PM.
-Attendance at the Parent/Candidate meeting on September 14th from 7:00PM-8:30PM in Fr. Cotter Hall, upstairs.
-Community Service
-Participation in religious education classes in parish setting or Catholic High School
-Attendance at 6 Confirmation classes
-Letter of Intent (see below)
-Confirmation Name (see below)
-Attendance at Commitment Mass

Choice of class day:
-Sunday morning 10:15AM-11:45AM
-Monday evening 6:30PM-8:00PM

Candidates are asked to choose one day only. In case of dire need, candidates may attend class on a different day only one time for the preparation year. The Religious Education office must be notified in advance. This is for record-keeping purposes of class attendance.

LETTER OF INTENT

Due by December Class to the Religious Education Office
263 Claremont Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14223

Write a letter addressed to the Director of Religious Education. The purpose of this letter is to demonstrate in writing your knowledge and desire to be confirmed.

This letter should be well thought out, typed, double spaced, 12 point Times New Roman font. Please include the following information:

1. Reasons why you wish to be confirmed.
2. Reasons why you should be confirmed.
3. What types of community service you have done over the past 2 years and what you have gained/learned from doing the community service?
4. Intentions for future participation in church?
5. What made you realize the importance of God in your life?

You should begin your letter:
Dear Father Bill
Please accept this letter as my request to be confirmed. I would like to be confirmed because…

Your letter should end with:
Thank you for considering me for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Sincerely,
***sign your name***

*** (type your first and last name beneath your signature) ***

Letters will be read, evaluated and forwarded to the pastor for final consideration of sacramental readiness.
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Confirmation Name

In accordance with the Diocese of Buffalo, all Confirmation candidates are asked to chose a confirmation name. You are welcome to chose a saint, bible person, or reaffirm your baptismal name.

Blessed Sacrament additionally requires a typed paragraph of at least seven (7) sentences. This paragraph should include:
a. the name you chose
b. why you have chosen the name
c. information and background on the name
d. if a saint or biblical name, some information about the person and why you feel connected to the person

This paragraph is due by the March class, with no exceptions.