Sacrament of Confirmation

Religious education in the Catholic schools for the Sacrament of Confirmation occurs in grade 6. Reception of the Sacraments should take place in the parish to which you belong and where you regularly attend Mass.

Update on Confirmation Retreat for Candidates

The Confirmation retreat for the children at St. John Bosco Church will be held on Thursday, May 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be given by Net Ministries. This retreat is mandatory for all children making their Confirmation at St. John Bosco Church this year.

Lunch will be provided (pizza and drinks). If your child is expecting snacks, please provide them.

St. John Bosco Catholic School Candidates
If your child, as a registered candidate for confirmation at St. John Bosco parish, goes to St. John Bosco Catholic School, the students will be walked to the Church by a teacher at 9:15 a.m. Please ensure that your child takes the bus to school in the morning so as to get to St. John Bosco School at the normal time. Students will be walked back to the school to take the bus home.

J.L. Jordan Catholic School Candidates
If your child, as a registered candidate for confirmation at St. John Bosco parish, goes to J.L. Jordan Catholic School, you as a parent are expected to drop them off at the Church for 9:15 a.m. and pick them up at 2:30 p.m. If you wish to discuss any collective arrangements for transportation with your principal, please contact him as soon as possible.

Académie catholique Ange-Gabriel
Si votre enfant est un candidat inscrit à la paroisse St. John Bosco pour sa confirmation et qu'il est un étudiant à l'Académie catholique Ange-Gabriel, nous vous demandons de conduire votre enfant directement à l'église St. John Bosco pour 9:15, et de venir le chercher à 14:30. Si vous souhaitez discuter un moyen de transport collectif avec votre directeur, veuillez en discuter directement avec lui.

Public School Candidates
If your child, as a registered candidate for confirmation at St. John Bosco parish goes to a public school, you as a parent are expected to drop them off at the Church for 9:15 a.m. and pick them up at 2:30 p.m.

Registration

If it is your child's wish to be confirmed, a parent or legal guardian must obtain and complete a Confirmation Registration Form at St. John Bosco Parish. This form is not available through the schools.

In addition to the registration form, we require the following:

  • Proof of Baptism (if not baptized at St. John Bosco Parish)
  • Candidate's height
  • $35.00 (to cover retreat expenses, gown rental, and an 8"x10" professional photograph)

Important Dates

Three Mandatory Catechetical Sessions for Parents

  • Tuesday, October 11, 2011 (3:45 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, November 29, 2011 (3:45 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, February 28, 2012 (3:45 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.)

Parents, legal guardians or designated persons of candidates wishing to be confirmed are expected to attend the three, one-hour Confirmation Parent Meetings. These meetings provide an opportunity for parents to reflect and refresh their beliefs about the Sacrament, and to receive information to help prepare themselves and their child for Confirmation.

Seven Mandatory Catechetical Sessions for Children

  • October 30, 2011 (Make-up session November 6)
  • November 27, 2011 (Make-up session December 4)
  • January 15, 2012 (Make-up session January 22)
  • February 12, 2012 (Make-up session February 19)
  • March 25, 2012 (Make-up session April 1)
  • April 15, 2012 (Make-up session April 22)
  • April 29, 2012 (Make-up session May 6)

All sessions start on Sunday at 8:45 a.m. and end at 9:45 a.m.

Enrollment Ceremonies

  • Saturday or Sunday, October 29 or 30, 2011 (any Mass) OR
  • Saturday or Sunday, November 5 or 6, 2011 (any Mass) OR
  • Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. Mass

Candidates will present a decorated 3"x5" name card to Father Stéphane during any one of the three Sunday Masses. These cards will be put on a banner at the front of the church. Sponsor information should also be submitted at this time. Attendance at an enrollment ceremony is compulsory. Candidates who fail to be enrolled will be asked to present a letter to Father Stéphane outlining why they wish to be confirmed.

Retreat
Thursday, May 3, 2012 (9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

All confirmation candidates will gather at the parish Centre for a day of spiritual reflection, getting to know one another, confirmation rehearsal and fun.

Confirmation Rehearsal
Thursday, May 17, 2012 (6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

This rehearsal is for the children and their sponsors so it is important that the sponsor be present if it is possible. We understand that some sponsors may be from out of town and not available on the Thursday evening, so if a parent could be present who could instruct the sponsor as to what is required of them that would be appreciated.

Confirmation
Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

Notes

Families are asked to make a special effort to regularly participate in the Sunday Eucharist.

Baptismal certificates (copies) are needed for each candidate not baptized at St. John Bosco Parish. If there are problems with the certificate or if your child is not baptized Catholic, please bring it to our attention.

Confirmation Sunday: Candidates should arrive early (1:00 p.m.) to get ready; candidates will wear a white gown in order to make a connection with their baptism. (Gowns cover clothes to the knees so "super dressy" outfits underneath are not necessary).

Candidates will sit with their sponsor in the front reserved rows of the church. The sponsor will present the candidate and give their name to the Archbishop; families are asked to sit behind the first 3 reserved rows for the celebration.

Quiet please! In a full church, even whispering turns into a loud roar and it takes away from the solemnity of the ceremony and makes it difficult for all to participate and follow along. Shhh!

No photos or videos are permitted during the celebration of the Eucharist, and especially at the actual moment that the Sacrament of Confimation is bestowed upon the candidates. A group photo will be taken, and candidates will receive an 8"x10" (see photo gallery). There will be plenty of photo opportunites after the ceremony.

For more information, contact Norma Burns, Parish Secretary at St. John Bosco Parish, by email or at (613) 342-5095.