Confirmation Preparation Update, June 2023
Dear St. John Parish/School Families,
I am writing to inform you of new changes to our parish confirmation preparation standards that will take effect for academic year 2023-2024. These changes have been made following much deliberation and discussion among staff and regional contacts. As outlined below, these changes will take two years to completely roll out and primarily include sacrament preparation beginning in 6th grade with reception of the sacrament in 7th, and a shift in the format of the preparation. The new standards are outlined below.
While I will do my best to fully, clearly, and proactively communicate these changes in the coming weeks, I understand that there will be many questions, comments, and concerns. To avoid rumors, misinformation, and subsequent confusion, please direct all your communications to me at the contact information listed below and encourage others to do the same.
Additionally, to streamline this new process, all students enrolled in 6th-8th grades at St. John School will automatically be enrolled in the Confirmation sacrament preparation program and all necessary registration information, including updated sacramental records, will be processed for you and you will begin receiving regular communications regarding your child’s Confirmation preparation process. However, if you are not a practicing Catholic or do not wish to participate in sacrament preparation, you must complete an opt-out form to be excluded from the communications list.
For Students not enrolled at St. John School, a registration form must be completed in order to be added to the communications list and begin the preparation process.
Finally, I am keenly aware that my job is two-fold: To be your advocate as you guide your children into the sacramental life of the church, and to ensure that they are properly aware and prepared for the sacrament that they are about to receive. That being said, I am happy to work with families that are facing extenuating circumstances to make accommodations when necessary. Please bring these situations to my attention with charity and patience so that we can work together to accomplish our common mission.
Sincerely,
Alan Day
Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Office: 810.373.0689
Email: Alan@StJohnFenton.org
I am writing to inform you of new changes to our parish confirmation preparation standards that will take effect for academic year 2023-2024. These changes have been made following much deliberation and discussion among staff and regional contacts. As outlined below, these changes will take two years to completely roll out and primarily include sacrament preparation beginning in 6th grade with reception of the sacrament in 7th, and a shift in the format of the preparation. The new standards are outlined below.
While I will do my best to fully, clearly, and proactively communicate these changes in the coming weeks, I understand that there will be many questions, comments, and concerns. To avoid rumors, misinformation, and subsequent confusion, please direct all your communications to me at the contact information listed below and encourage others to do the same.
Additionally, to streamline this new process, all students enrolled in 6th-8th grades at St. John School will automatically be enrolled in the Confirmation sacrament preparation program and all necessary registration information, including updated sacramental records, will be processed for you and you will begin receiving regular communications regarding your child’s Confirmation preparation process. However, if you are not a practicing Catholic or do not wish to participate in sacrament preparation, you must complete an opt-out form to be excluded from the communications list.
For Students not enrolled at St. John School, a registration form must be completed in order to be added to the communications list and begin the preparation process.
Finally, I am keenly aware that my job is two-fold: To be your advocate as you guide your children into the sacramental life of the church, and to ensure that they are properly aware and prepared for the sacrament that they are about to receive. That being said, I am happy to work with families that are facing extenuating circumstances to make accommodations when necessary. Please bring these situations to my attention with charity and patience so that we can work together to accomplish our common mission.
Sincerely,
Alan Day
Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Office: 810.373.0689
Email: Alan@StJohnFenton.org
New Standards for Confirmation Preparation
The following is a brief overview of the new standards for Confirmation Preparation at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish/School in Fenton, MI:
Two-phase rollout of new standards:
Revised Standard Requirements at St. John in Fenton:
Two-phase rollout of new standards:
- Phase 1 – Academic Year 2023-2024:
- All Students in grades 7th and above will have access to a modified preparation process that can be completed in time to receive the sacrament of Confirmation in March 2024.
- All Students in 6th grade will begin a two-year preparation process leading to the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation in March of 2025.
- Phase 2 – Academic Year 2024-2025:
- The two-year preparation process becomes standard with preparation beginning as early as 6th grade.
- All students who completed the first year of formation will complete their second year and will be eligible for Confirmation in March of 2025.
- All other students will begin the two-year preparation process leading to confirmation in subsequent years.
Revised Standard Requirements at St. John in Fenton:
- The following 3 core requirements for Confirmation Sacrament Preparation are rooted in this quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church which offers us an authoritative interpretation of requirements set forth in the Code of Cannon Law.
“Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands.” (CCC 1309)
- Requirement 1:
- Students will be required to attend 6 of 8 Youth Encounter Nights for academic year 2023-2024.
- Students will be required to attend 6 of 12 Youth Encounter nights in subsequent years.
- Requirement 2:
- Fill out and execute a “Plan for Christian Service.” Documentation and explanation of this step will be provided by the Office of Youth Ministries.
- Requirement 3:
- Completion of immediate sacrament preparation catechesis:
- For students enrolled at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, this will be completed in the classroom through the units on Sacramental Theology built into the new curriculum standards set by the Diocese of Lansing for this year. Additionally, I will regularly visit Religion classes to discuss the connection between what they are learning in class and their own sacramental journey.
- For students enrolled in any other school, this will be completed through their discipleship small groups that meet weekly with a parish-designated mentor.
- Completion of immediate sacrament preparation catechesis: