In order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Diocese of Rockford has a minimum standard of two years preparation work beginning in seventh grade and continuing through eigth grade. Often times parents feel that First Communion is a “sacramental graduation” until the next sacrament of Confirmation, its not. Forming a child in their faith is a cumulative process with each year building on the previous years. Students may begin their Confirmation preparation when they enter seventh grade. 

It is very important for the student to not only understand the meaning and the importance of the Sacrament, but also how the sacrament unites us in the community of the Catholic Church, and deciding to commit to becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Readiness for the sacrament is determined by the following:

  1. A desire to celebrate the sacrament; Students should not be forced to attend             religious education class, or receive the sacrament, if they don’t want to pursue       the Catholic faith or oppose the teachings of the Church.

  2. An age appropriate understanding of the sacrament of Confirmation.

  3. Attending and participating in Mass on a weekly basis. Students will be     
     required to attend Mass and complete Mass Reflections throughout the year. If 
     your family has no intentions to attend Mass now or in the future, please
     prayerfully consider the actual need to receive the sacrament at this time and           speak with Father Jacek. The sacraments are nurtured through receiving graces       from the Mass and continual growth of the faith is passed on through spiritual       enlightenment of being present in the Mass. 

  4. A spiritual awareness and growing understanding of the Blessed Trinity.

  5. Required paperwork by both student and sponsor, completion of service hours          and family classes set fourth by the Diocese and taught by our Deacons of St.           John the Baptist (dates to be determined).
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Here at St. John the Baptist youth celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation after their 8th grade year of relgious education has been completed. The Confirmation curriculum that St. John's teaches is in accordance with the Diocese of Rockford. It is a two year preparation program beginning in 7th grade and continuing through 8th grade. 

        Preparation for the reception of Confirmation requires a process that embraces evangelization and                 catechesis. In the spirit of the New Evangelization, Confirmation preparation should be the context in             which a life of discipleship is developed, and a missionary spirit encouraged. Similarly, the spirit of                  catechesis should provide the activities that promote, enhance, and challenge the candidate’s                          journey  to a mature faith.    - Diocese of Rockford Illinois

 

Confirmation Requirements 2021-2022
All detailed information and paperwork will be provided
at Fall Confirmation Meeting on September 13, 2021 at 6:30pm in the parish hall.

To be considered for the sacrament of Confirmation, each candidate needs to complete, in full, the following requirements:

1-Two consecutive years of Religious Ed classes: The student must have completed two consecutive years in Religious Education beginning in 7th grade through the end of 8th grade, as required by The Diocese of Rockford, IL.  

2—Regular attendance for weekly Religious Ed classes: Students must attend class throughout the year. Three absences are allowed in one academic school year, all others will need to be made up. If absences in excess of the three allowed and are not made up, the formation grade will need to be repeated (this doesn’t apply to students at St. John’s School).

3—Confirmation Prep Classes for the Family: There are four Deacon-taught preparation classes for sacramental prep. They delve deeper into topics specific to Confirmation and being a Catholic. To complete the classes, a parent must attend with the student, but a sponsor may be present as well. These classes are for Confirmation Prep Year #2 students. These 4 classes are all mandatory. The classes will take place in the St. John’s School gym and be scheduled by St. John’s Deacons.  Here is the tentative schedule for 2021-22.

4—Baptismal Form and Original Baptism Certificate: Please fill out the included Baptismal form and return it by November 17, 2021. If your child was baptized someplace other than St. John’s, you will need to call the parish where he/she was baptized and have them mail an original copy of the certificate to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with the church seal and pastor signature.

5—Saint Name Report: Students will research the saint they would like to take the name of to be confirmed in. “A new name has often signified a drawing closer to God, as with Abram becoming Abraham…” Genesis 17:5. By choosing a saint, you have a representative from Heaven. When you pray for their intercession, you’re asking him/her to pray for you in a special way. Having a special connection to someone in Heaven is a big deal! Included is the report form, with all details, for students to fill out in its entirety and turned in by December 15, 2021.

6—Sponsor Certification Form: This form is to be given to your Confirmation sponsor, filled out by the sponsor, and taken to their parish to be certified. Your sponsor needs to be a registered and active parishioner at a Catholic Church.  The church where your sponsor is registered will certify, sign, and seal the document with the parish seal. The church may either mail it directly to us or your sponsor may bring it to St. John’s Parish Office. PARENTS CANNOT BE SPONSORS FOR THEIR OWN CHILD. If you need a sponsor, please contact me. I have some outstanding parishioners and catechists who would be honored to sponsor a student. These forms are due by January 26, 2022.

7—Letter of Intent: Each student will write a Letter of Intent to Fr. Jacek explaining why they want to be confirmed (see example letter included). All Confirmandi should be here of their own free will. Letters are due by February 16, 2022.

8—Sponsor Interview: The candidate is to interview their sponsor and return the completed forms by March 23, 2022.

9—Service Hours: All service hour packets are due no later than April 14, 2022. This requirement will not be accepted after this date so please plan accordingly. This will be discussed in deeper detail at the Fall Confirmation meeting. 

10- Mass Reflections: Each individual Mass Reflection will have a due date on it. There is one Mass reflection for the months of October through April. Students should already be attending Mass at least once a week.  It’s sad that it has become a requirement, but it’s a reality our youth is facing in today’s culture. Families who do not wish to participate in Mass and have no desire to attend Mass at all should prayerfully consider not having their student receive the sacrament at this time. The sacrament is nurtured through receiving graces from the Mass and continual growth of the faith is passed on through spiritual enlightenment of being present in the Mass. Most of all, students need support and faithful encouragement from their family.

*In the Mass Reflections there is also a Stations of the Cross Prayer Service reflection. Students must attend at least one Stations of the Cross (you may pick any Friday night during the Lenten Season to attend- March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8).

Requirements may always be turned earlier than the due date.  
*For any missing, late, or incomplete requirements, Confirmation will be at the discretion of the pastor.

Please make a copy of the completed forms for yourself before they are turned in. If they get lost you will have a backup. It is important for the Confirmation candidate to have all the requirements above completed and turned in on time. 

For any missing, late, or incomplete requirements, Confirmation will be at the discretion of the pastor.

Stephanie Eldridge, DRE
stjohnreyouth@gmail.com
815-385-1477 ext. 201