Overview

Assumption and Sacred Heart Parishes

Bellingham, WA

 

Fr. Scott Connolly, Fr. Qui-Thac Nguyen, Pastors

Angus McDonell, Youth Minister angusmc@assumption.org 360-733-1380x21

Lou St. Hilaire, Primary Catechist lfsthilaire@gmail.com 360-303-8671

 

Official Confirmation Website: bellinghamconfirmation.blogspot.com

 

First Meeting

7:30-8:30pm September 18th at Assumption Parish Gym

 

Seattle Archdiocesan age requirement for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation is 16 years of age.

 

Confirmation Requirements

  1. Classes
  2. Retreat
  3. Community Involvement
  4. Service
  5. Sponsor (see Sponsor Information below)
  6. Confirmation Name
  7. Documentation

 

1.  Classes

7-9pm Wednesdays at Sacred Heart

March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 15, 22, 29; May 6, 27

Class curriculum is based on Catholic Catechism and Sacred Scripture.  Specific topics will be available online soon.

 

2.  Updated Retreat Information

 

Our Confirmation retreat will be April 3-4 at St. Peter's Church in Deming

(6210 Mt. Baker Highway).

 

Plan on arriving at St. Peter's by 7:00pm Friday night and heading home at

7:00pm Saturday night. You're responsible for your own transportation, but I

will bring a list of phone numbers to class to help organize carpooling.

 

Please remember to turn in your permission slip to me at class next week

(March 25th). If you didn't pick one up this week, it can downloaded from the

website at

http://bellinghamconfirmation.blogspot.com/2009/03/retreat-update.html.

 

I know that a few people at class said they might have conflicts, but if you know that have to miss all or part of the retreat, please let me know by e-mail or phone or be sure to tell me this week at class. I will be attempting to get a more definite list of who will and who won't be able to attend.

 

Feel free to contact me with questions about the retreat or any other part

of the program.

 

In Christ,

Lou St. Hilaire (360)303-8671

bellinghamconfirmation@gmail.com

 

3.  Community Involvement

Please choose at least two of the following options:

  • Attend at least 5 Life Nights 6-8pm Sundays at Assumption Parish
  • Attend SALT Fall Retreat November 14-16 with Reach Team at Camp Lutherwood
  • Attend Archdiocese of Seattle Youth Convention Oct 31-Nov 2
  • Participate in SALT Harvest Festival Booth September 27-28
  • Edge Core Team Member (Mondays 7-8:30pm) September 2008-May 2009
  • Walk for Life Saturday May 2nd 8:30am-noon Abundant Life Church, Bellingham
  • Other ideas...

 

4.  Service:  Theological Reflection…

On a 2008-2009 academic year service project (church or school) with the following questions as a “jumping off point” due by first day of class.

  • How do you see Christ at work in this process?
  • What can the Church do to help solve this problem or resolve this issue?
  • What did you gain from this experience?
  • Is there a scripture passage or story from Jesus’ life that relates to this project?

 

5.  Sponsor

Who Can Be a Sponsor?  According to the Code of Canon Law (893, 874), a sponsor is someone chosen by the candidate who must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, at least 16 years of age, who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on. Parents cannot be sponsors for their children.

 

Responsibilities of the Sponsor

“The sponsor is to take care that the confirmed person behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in this sacrament” (Code of Canon Law, 892)

1.      Pray for the candidate

2.      Ensure that the candidate participates fully in preparation for the sacrament: especially in faithfully attending Sunday Mass and Confirmation classes and retreat, completing a service project and receiving the Sacrament of Confession at least once before Confirmation.

3.      Attend the following:

1.      Sponsor/Candidate Meeting: April 22, 7:00 PM Sacred Heart

Sponsors are also welcome and encouraged to attend any of the other Wednesday night classes with their candidates.

2.      Confirmation rehearsal:  May 27th at Sacred Heart Church 7-8pm

3.      Confirmation Mass with Bishop Tyson: May 28th 7:00pm reception following in Parish Hall

4.      Assist with the further formation of the candidate, especially through shared prayer, reading and discussion.

1.      Highly recommended: Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

2.      Internet Resources: www.catholic.com, www.ewtn.com, www.lifeteen.com.

If you are able to assist the class by providing snacks for the classes, acting as a chaperon for the retreat, or in any other capacity, please contact Angus at (360)733-1380x21.

 

6.  Confirmation Name

In Holy Scripture, a significant change in one’s life is often reflected by taking a new name. For instance, God gave Abram the name Abraham when He promised to make him the father of many nations. Christ gave Simon the name Peter (Rock) when He promised to make Peter the rock on which He would build His Church.

 

So today, we take on a name at our Baptism and again at our Confirmation. Confirmation, like the other Sacraments, is not a mere symbol. It effects a real spiritual change. Since you are truly a changed person, it is appropriate that you take on a new name.

 

Choose the name of a saint that you connect to or aspire to imitate in some way. There are many resources available to learn about saints. The parish and school libraries have books, and there many websites which have lots of information. Here are a few:

http://www.catholic.org/saints/

www.newadvent.org

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/patron02.htm

 

Note that you may choose to use your baptismal name as your confirmation name rather than taking a new name. You are still required to complete the form to explain your bond to this saint.

 

7.  Documentation:  due March 4, 2009

1.      Confirmation Info Sheet

2.      Confirmation Name Sheet

3.      Copy of Baptismal Certificate

4.      Theological Reflection

 

Confirmation Mass

Thursday, May 28th at 7pm at Sacred Heart Parish reception following in the Parish Hall

 

Fee

$125 covers all materials and retreat. It is due by March 4th.  No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

 

Calendar

September 18             Info Night 7:30-8:30 Assumption Parish Gym

March 4                       Class at Sacred Heart Hall 7-9pm

March 11                     Class at Sacred Heart Hall 7-9pm

March 18                     Class at Sacred Heart Hall 7-9pm

March 25                     Class at Sacred Heart Hall 7-9pm

April 3-4                       St. Peter's Catholic Church, Deming WA

April 15                        Class at Sacred Heart Hall 7-9pm

April 22                        Class at Sacred Heart Hall 7-9pm with Sponsor

April 29                        Confession at Sacred Heart Church 7-9pm

May 6                           Class at Sacred Heart Hall 7-9pm

May 27             Rehearsal at Sacred Heart Church 7-8pm

May 28             Confirmation Mass with Bishop Tyson 7pm Sacred Heart                                                    Church, reception following in the Parish Hall.