Parent Handbook Below (SCroll Down)

• Parent & Child meeting - March 30, 2023, at 7 pm
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• Registration Form: May 1, 2023
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• Sponsor Chosen Form Submitted: June 1, 2023
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• Sponsor Statement Form Submitted: June 1, 2023
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• First Sponsor/Candidate Conversation Form Submitted: Aug. 1, 2023
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• First Discernment Interview: Aug. 6 - 12, 2023
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• Saint Name Chosen Form Submitted: Oct. 31, 2023
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• Confirmation Retreat: TBD
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• Second Discernment Interview: Nov. 14 -20, 2023
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• Second Sponsor/Candidate Conversation Form Submitted:  Nov. 30, 2023
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• Third Sponsor/Candidate Conversation Form Submitted: Dec. 31, 2023
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• Final Discernment Interview: Jan. 9-15, 2024
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• Reconciliation: January 2024
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• Confirmation Rehearsal:  February 2, 2024, at 6:30 pm
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• Confirmation Mass: Feb. 3, 2024

https://www.stb2008.org/sponsor-information

What is a Discernment Meeting and why do I need to do it?

A discernment interview is a chance to talk with a Confirmation Prep Team Staff member to share your thoughts about your faith and the experiences you’ve had during your time of preparation for Confirmation.  It is an opportunity for you to express and explain why you would like to be Confirmed.  It is also a chance for the staff and volunteers to answer any other questions or misunderstandings you may have about Confirmation or your faith and determine how we can best support you.  All candidates are expected to complete the discernment interview.

When will I have my first meeting?

• The week of August 6-12, 2023.   Times to be determined.

What sorts of questions will be asked during the interview?

Examples of the types of questions that may be asked during the interview might be:

• How have you prepared for Confirmation? (Refer to your Confirmation Booklet)
• What was the best part of your preparation experience?
• How do you plan to continue your faith journey after you have received the Sacrament?
• Looking at the Gifts of the Spirit, how might you be called to share your gifts?
• What does it mean to follow Jesus as a disciple?  What are the characteristics of a disciple of Jesus?
•  Do you want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?  Why or Why not?

One of the traditional practices within the Catholic Church is to choose a saint to be one’s patron and spiritual role model.  All candidates for Confirmation will choose a saint with whom they have a connection.  This saint should become someone they can learn about, ask for their prayers and intercession, and strive to emulate as a fellow member of the Body of Christ.  The chosen saint’s name will be used at Confirmation.


Candidates and their parents will work together to select a Saint Name for Confirmation.  To begin that process click here.

PLEASE NOTE:

• The name of the saint chosen will be the name your child will use at Confirmation.  If you want the Confirmation name to be their Baptismal name, then select a saint who shares that name.
• Youth are not required to select a saint of the same gender as themselves.
• Any form of the name of Jesus or a title associated with him is considered inappropriate.

Why attend a retreat?

The retreat atmosphere provides youth with a deep experience of PRACTICING Prayer and Sacraments.  Retreats can be turning points in one’s life and are great opportunities to refocus or center one’s life on Jesus in a sincere and profound way.  All youth preparing for Confirmation are expected to attend retreats as part of their preparation.

During a retreat you will spend time in prayer, listening to engaging presentations, discussing issues important to your life, experiencing God in nature, receiving HIS grace through the sacraments, singing, playing, eating and resting.

What if I can’t/ didn’t attend the retreat?

If, due to unforeseen circumstances, you did not/cannot attend, it will be your responsibility to participate in an alternate retreat experience.

Contact other area parishes and ask to speak to the person responsible for Confirmation preparation.  Ask for details about their Confirmation retreat and ask if you could participate.  Please notify us if you plan to attend another retreat and with what parish so we can make note of it.

When will I have my second meeting?

• November 14-20, 2023, exact times TBD

What sorts of questions will be asked during the interview?

Examples of the types of questions that may be asked during the interview might be:

• How have you prepared for Confirmation? (Refer to your Confirmation Booklet)
• What was the best part of your preparation experience?
• How do you plan to continue your faith journey after you have received the Sacrament?
• Looking at the Gifts of the Spirit, how might you be called to share your gifts?
• What does it mean to follow Jesus as a disciple?  What are the characteristics of a disciple of Jesus?
•  Do you want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?  Why or Why not?

When will I have my final meeting?

• Times to be determined.

What sorts of questions will be asked during the interview?

Examples of the types of questions that may be asked during the interview might be:

• How have you prepared for Confirmation? (Refer to your Confirmation Booklet)
• What was the best part of your preparation experience?
• How do you plan to continue your faith journey after you have received the Sacrament?
• Looking at the Gifts of the Spirit, how might you be called to share your gifts?
• What does it mean to follow Jesus as a disciple?  What are the characteristics of a disciple of Jesus?
•  Do you want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation?  Why or Why not?

What do I need to turn in at my FINAL discernment interview?

Please turn in your entire Youth Confirmation Booklet containing the following:

• My Discipleship foot S.T.E.P.S
• Serve in MINISTRY Reflections
• Serve in MISSION  Reflections
• My S.T.E.P.S. Reflections

Why go to Reconciliation before being Confirmed?
“To receive Confirmation, one must be in a state of grace.  One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit.” - Catechism of the Catholic Church #1310

Why is the Sacrament of Reconciliation Important?

No matter how alienated we feel because of our sins, in the Sacrament of Penance, we are concretely, surely reconciled with Christ and His Church.  Through the priest, we get to experience  God’s mercy, love and peace.  Getting into the habit of going to Confession once a month whether we have committed a serious sin or not helps us stay on track in our relationship with Him.  But at the minimum, we should confess whenever we commit a mortal sin, or once a year and before receiving a Sacrament such as Confirmation.

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Locations & Times

At Saint Bernadette

• Tuesdays,  6:00 - 7:15 pm In the Church 

 Stay tuned for more information on how to sign up for your Rehearsal time.

 Stay tuned for more information

It’s a big day and a holy ceremony, please follow these guidelines explaining how to dress modestly and symbolic of this holy Sacrament.

 Sunday Dress for Gentlemen:

• Button-down dress shirt & dress slacks (no jeans) or Suit
• Tie or Sweater optional
• Dress shoes, no sneakers
•  No t-shirts, shorts, sagging pants
• No specific color 

Sunday Dress for Ladies:

• Blouse with dress pants - OR - Modest Dress - OR - Suit - OR Blouse with a skirt which meets the following criteria:
• No Strapless
• No Spaghetti straps (must have cardigan or jacket)
• No backless
• No low-cut fronts
• Length must be at your knees.  Anything shorter is NOT modest enough.
• The following must be covered:  Shoulders, belly, back, mid thigh and chest.
• No specific color

If you have already purchased an outfit for Confirmation that does not meet these criteria, consider a different outfit or (ladies) find a nice sweater (Cardigan) that can cover up the shoulders, etc.