Children/young people’s feedback form

Sacrament of Confirmation 2024

The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in Term 2 of the school year.  Young people in Year 6 or above, and who have received First Communion can participate.  If your child has not made their First Communion, please contact the Sacramental Coordinator at the Parish Office asap. There are three group lessons which every child attends with a parent/guardian.  These groups help strengthen the connection of the candidates to the wider church.  Preparation includes weekly Mass attendance and a Retreat Day, which includes Confirmation ceremony practice. All elements of the program are compulsory.

Stage 1 of the enrolment is completed online through a link on the home page of the Parish website.  Enrolments open on 20th Feb and close on 6th March. 

Stage 2 of the enrolment (deadline 10 March) is completed by:

  • Making the $75 financial contribution OR emailing the Parish Office to request an exemption.
  • Providing a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate OR ensuring your child’s Baptismal certificate is on file from a previous sacrament. NOTE: If your child was not baptised in one of our four churches or we don’t have a copy of their Baptismal certificate on file, we will need a copy of the baptismal certificate.

The program offered is parish-based and family centred with the following elements:

1. FAMILY EVENING: Wednesday 13th March 6.30pm at Sacred Heart CHURCH Mosman. Please note that a parent must attend with their child for the whole session. The Family evening will provide information to children and parents about the program as children and parents will go on this faith journey together which is why it is expected that both candidates and one parent attend.

2. COMMITMENT MASS 16/17 March: Children and parents will be called forward to commit to the program of preparation and be given a special prayer card during Mass.

3. THREE LARGE GROUP SESSIONS: Children will also work through the Activity book at home with their parents. A parent MUST accompany their child during the lessons at Sacred Heart PARISH HALL. If you are absent you must attend the scheduled catch-up session time.

Lesson 1: Wed 1st May choose either 5pm OR 6.30pm (catch-up on 6/5/24 at 3.45pm) at the Parish Hall.

Lesson 2: Mon 6th May choose either 5pm OR 6.30pm (catch-up on 15/5/24 at 3.45pm) at the Parish Hall.

Lesson 3: Wed 15th May choose either 5pm OR 6.30pm (catch-up on 16/5/24 at 3.45pm) at the Parish Hall.

4. RETREAT DAY: Tuesday 21st May at Sacred Heart Church/Hall. Includes Reconciliation and ceremony rehearsal for all students. SHM students drop off and pick-up as per normal school day.

Non-SHM students to be dropped-off at 8.45am and picked-up at 12.15pm from the Parish Hall.

Parents are responsible for ensuring appropriate medications, epipens and medical action plans are sent with their child on the day and handed in to the Sacramental Co-ordinator.

5. CREED MASS: Weekend of 25/26 May: Candidates will be presented with the Creed and asked to profess their faith at any of the 7 Sunday or Saturday Vigil Masses.

6. CONFIRMATION CEREMONIES:

Thursday 30th May 5.30pm & 7.15pm Blessed Sacrament Church Clifton Gardens           

Friday 31st May 5.30pm & 7.15pm Sacred Heart Church Mosman

For any enquiries, please contact:

Thomas Dabbah

Sacramental Co-ordinator on [email protected] or on 89693202

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The final Saint name and sponsor name is DUE by 1st May. A Google form will be emailed to parents to submit the information. These names cannot be changed after 1st May.

SAINT NAME: Candidates will be asked to choose a Saint name for Confirmation. The saint they choose must be someone whom they admire for the way they lived their life. It may be one of their baptismal names. Candidates should be mindful to pick only one name. Candidates will write a 1-2 page report on the life of their chosen saint and what qualities they admire about them. This task needs to be submitted by 1st May. It can be typed or hand-written. These questions can guide the writing of the report:

  • What is the name of the saint you have chosen?
  • Write a short biography.
  • Why did you choose this saint? What did they do? What qualities did they have?
  • What did you find inspiring about their faith journey? How were they a witness to Jesus?
  • What gifts or fruits of the Holy Spirit did they use in their life? Discuss some examples.

Candidates must choose famous saints so that they can locate sufficient research information in order to complete the resarch task. Your final saint name is due (via Google Form) by 1st May and your research task is due (hardcopy/email) by 1st May.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: Candidates will be asked to complete one hour of Community Service as a sign of Christian witness. This service needs to be organised and supervised by parents. Ideas include:

  • Doing extra housework or mowing your neighbour’s lawn.
  • Spending extra time with elderly grandparents or neighbours.
  • Volunteering with vinnies.
  • Helping at Mass.
  • Any other act of Christian service.

Candidates must fill out the community service log and have it signed by their parents and/or supervisor (pg 31 Activity book). Parents must supervise the community service. This must be completed by 21st May.

SPONSOR: Candidates must select a sponsor for Confirmation who is a practising Catholic, over 16 years old and has received their sacraments of initiation. The final sponsor’s name must be provided by 1st May.

Sponsor’s Letter: Many years ago the Sponsor and Candidate shared a strong bond of faith as the newcomer sought to grow in Christian life and the sponsor walked the path of growth as a fellow pilgrim on the faith journey. In order to help develop some sense of faith sharing in this process, we would like to invite you to take the time to give the child you are sponsoring the gift of your personal perspective by writing a brief letter. The sponsor’s letter is optional and should you choose to write a letter we suggest it is given to the candidate after the Confirmation Ceremony. Some points to think about in this letter include:

  • Fond memories of this child growing up.
  • Special qualities you see in him/her.
  • People who have influenced your life.
  • What it means to be a good Christian.
  • Ways that being a Christian has helped you.
  • Memories of your own preparation for Confirmation.
  • What helps you to keep believing in God.
  • A promise to pray for this child.
  • Some of your hopes and dreams for him/her.

We hope that you like this idea and even if you find it challenging, you will realise that this can be very special for the child who has chosen you as their sponsor.

During the ceremony: Sponsors, when you move forward to the Bishop/Presider with your candidate please stand slighly behind and to the left of your candidate and place your right hand on his/her right shoulder from the moment the child kneels before the Bishop/Presider, until the Bishop/Presider has completed his prayer over the child.