St. Oscar Romero Parish ~ Confirmation Program 2021-2022
Registration Information for Grade 9
Dear Confirmation Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you and your family doing well, staying safe, and enjoying the summer. I'd like to welcome you and your 9th-grader to Year ONE of the St. Oscar Romero Parish Confirmation Preparation Program!

Based upon the current guidance from the Archdiocese, we will be offering monthly in-person classes this year at the Parish Center which is located in St. John's School building. At this time, we are still awaiting more information regarding masking guidelines from both the Archdiocese and the Town of Canton and I will share that information with you as soon as I can.

Confirmation Class Schedule:

Sunday afternoon 1:00-2:00 PM approximately once a month
at the Parish Center located in St. John's School.

Classes will begin in October and end in March.
Program Overview

The Confirmation program is a two-year program offered to students beginning their freshman year of high school. Students who attend Catholic Schools are required to participate in the two-year program.

The mission of the program is to help young people enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Over the two-year period, Confirmation candidates are invited to journey together and explore and enrich their faith by following Christ and being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
 
Through fun, uplifting, and informative classroom sessions, reflections, speaker presentations, and service opportunities this program works to build the following Gospel values in our young people:
 
1.   See God in Everything
2.   Trust in God Always
3.   Stand up for the Poor and Vulnerable
4.   Be Courageous
5.   Serve Humbly
6.   Share the Faith

Classes Begin on Sunday, October 24
The Confirmation preparation classes take place approximately once a month on Sundays from October-March. Candidates will gather in the church for the 12:00 Noon Mass and attend class from 1:00-2:00 PM. The class schedule for the 2021-2022 sessions will be emailed to all registered families and posted on the website in the coming weeks.

In an effort to ease your way into the school year, the classes will begin in October to give you time to get settled into a routine with your son/daughter's school work first.
Confirmed in the Joy of the Spirit
As candidates prepare for Confirmation through class sessions, participating in service to others, attending a retreat, and journeying with their sponsor, they will be encouraged to pay special attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Throughout the program, candidates will be introduced to the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. For each gift, they will be presented with a model of faith to inspire them to live that gift in their own life. Reflection questions will provide them with the opportunity to dig deeper into the meaning of each gift, and the candidates will be encouraged to determine ways to take action using a particular gift.

Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are strengthened to help the candidates become stronger witnesses to their faith. These gifts will guide their faith, values, and actions throughout their lives. 

Information about the gifts will be woven into the program content to help the candidates gain a better understanding of the nature and activity of the Holy Spirit and how through the Sacrament of Confirmation the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed and strengthened within them.

More information regarding this aspect of the program will be shared with the candidates during class.
Registration Process
Registration is now open for Grade 9 Confirmation classes. Please click on the Register Here button below to register and pay online for classes. 
Remind APP and Constant Contact
Throughout the year we will be reaching out to you via email, the Remind app, Constant Contact and Facebook.. All assignments and program materials will be added to the Confirmation Grade 9 Google Classroom. Please be sure to include your email and cell phone on the registration form, and if you would like your son/daughter to receive the same information, please share their contact information as well so that we can include them in our correspondence. Please note that correspondence will be sent to both parents/guardians and candidates.
Even in the midst of continued uncertainty regarding the virus, we are looking forward to a wonderful year as we prepare to share the Catholic faith with your son/daughter striving to guide them to grow in their personal understanding and relationship with God and to be well prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me. As always, I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Warm regards,
Nancy
Nancy T. Cunniff
Director of Faith Formation, St. Oscar Romero Parish
Office of Faith Formation