Program Description:
Confirmation prep at St Thomas is a meaningful, powerful and rigorous endeavor! With the Church, we aim to include, inspire, ignite and instruct interested candidates in the journey toward Confirmation. We seek to help our candidates discover a deeper trust in God the Father, a more intimate union with Jesus Christ, and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit!!!
We guide candidates to see the Church as their home and the Church as their family-- a family in which each candidate is a valued and needed member.
Confirmation Prep at St Thomas typically takes place in grade 8, but 9th and 10th graders are welcome. (If your teen is aged 15 or older and wishes to be confirmed, please call Deacon Warren Hecht to discuss Confirmation prep for the older teen. 734 761 8606 x 2804)
This year, our Confirmation Prep sessions will begin with the Sunday Liturgy
(first Sundays, 10:45 a.m.)
Our candidates are welcome to participate as lectors, altar servers, ushers etc .
After Mass, our sessions will continue in the Parish Hall with:
teaching topic
fun and instructive games
small group sessions
pot luck lunch***** ( food schedule is posted below)
brief information recap
Our teaching topics will be presented by Monica Pope and Beth Spizarney for the months of October, November, December and January. Father Bill will present the topics in February and March. (Though Father Bill won't be with us for the first half of the year, please know: our pastor closely guided the planning and approved the topics for the sessions. From Rome, he will be in regular communication with us-- receiving updates and offering guidance.)
Candidates' preparation will be rounded out with charitable works, reflections to some cool videos and interviews with Father Bill.
But the high point of the preparation process is our Confirmation retreat! We've been told that St Thomas Confirmation retreat is a life-changing experience!
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Below you'll find the expectations of the Confirmation Program, and for your convenience, you'll also find a handy checklist for you to download and print.
Program Expectations:
- The primary expectation of St Thomas Confirmation prep program is weekly attendance at the Sunday Liturgy and living a sacramental life.
Watch 2 videos: Father Bill's here
- Candidate views 2 movies and uses them to make informed choices:
How to Choose a Confirmation Patron Saint (link to be posted soon.)
How to Choose a Confirmation Sponsor (link to be posted soon)
We're having trouble with these videos. Please, for now, just fill out the
Confirmation Statistics Form and leave blank the spaces that say:
Sponsor and Confirmation Patron Saint.
- Candidate has submitted by September 19:
registration form and tuition (download below)
confirmation candidate statistics (download below) Please, for now, just leave blank the spaces that say: Sponsor and Confirmation Patron Saint
baptismal certificate
retreat permission slip (download below)
- Candidate is receiving basic catechism in an approved program
- Candidate views the video God's Chisel and completes reflections found in the document gallery below. GOD'S CHISEL
- Candidate performs at least 20 hours of charitable works and completes works of mercy journmal assignment and reflections (download assignment page below)
- Candidate and parent (or sponsor) attend all Confirmation Sessions and Masses
(Under the guidance of our pastor, Father Bill, St Thomas Faith Formation has adopted a rigorous absentee policy. No more than 2 approved absences will be allowed. Sports or other recreational events are NOT acceptable reasons to miss Confirmation sessions. Dates are included in the calendar. Mark your calendar now.)
October 2, 10:45 Mass-
Session in Parish Hall till 1:30
November 6, 10:45 Mass-
Session in Parish Hall till 1:30
December 4, 10:45 Mass-
Session in Parish Hall till 1:30
January 8, 10:45 Mass-
Session in Parish Hall till 1:30
February 5, 10:45 Mass-
Session in Parish Hall till 1:30
March 4, 10:45 Mass-
Session in Parish Hall till 1:30
Candidate is expected to participate in GUS, (Grown Up Soda) St Thomas' excellent junior high youth group. Candidate is expected to attend at least one social and one meeting per semester. Details for GUS can be found here
- Candidate attends parish-sponsored Confirmation Retreat
(or another approved retreat.)
April 28. Mark yourcalendar now.
- Candidate and sponsor attend Confirmation rehearsal
May 2 at 7:30 pm in church Confirmation Mass May 3 at 7:00 pm
with reception in Parish Hall to follow