Sacrament of Confirmation Information
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Confirmation Program
(Dates and timeframes are approximate and refer to the Confirmation class starting 7th grade
in Fall 2021 and receiving Confirmation in Fall 2022)
Confirmation Program:- Confirmation Preparation in PREP is a one year process that begins in 7th grade & continues into the fall of 8th grade.
- In 7th grade our Catechists implement the Archdiocesan framework as well as the following program to ensure our students’ readiness for the Sacrament.
- The “Purpose” Confirmation Program by Life Teen is used.
- The Purpose curriculum focuses on evangelizing young people and accompanying them as they become disciples. The curriculum addresses three big questions, "Why believe in God?", "Why trust Jesus?" and "Why be a part of the Church?"
- Click here for access the Purpose website
- Candidates attend sessions during the school year covering the above material, or they may attend Camp Caritas to cover this requirement via a summer camp experience.
- Candidates attend a Confirmation Retreat click here to register for the Ignite Retreat
- Candidates select a Saint and confirmation name, and sponsor, and perform various works of mercy throughout the year.
- Candidates (and/or their families) must hand in all necessary forms to the Faith Formation Office by Spring of 2022
- In the fall of 8th grade
- Candidates submit a Saint project in September
- Candidates share their Saint Research with the Parish after our Sunday Masses
- Candidates hand in logs of their Works of Mercy (4)
- Candidates meet for a review while awaiting their Confirmation Day
- Candidates complete final Assessment
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- Click Here to Download An Insight into Confirmation
- Click Here to Download Confirmation Application 2021
- Click Here to Download Confirmation Class of 2021 Scheduled Classes
- Click Here to Download Confirmation Questions
- Click Here to Download Explanation of Letters to the Children
- Click Here to Download Parent Confirmation Checklist
- Click Here to Download Saint Project
- Click Here to Download Sponsor Explanation
- Click Here to Download Webinars Registration Page
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The following forms and letters are due to the office no later than May 1, 2022
- Application Form: All information must be completed ad legible or the form will be sent back to you. (will be sent out in March 2022)
- The Fee Envelope: The Confirmation fee is $75.00 . The PREP students and the STA students need to send it into the PREP office with your application. (Due May 1 2022)
- Parent Letter(s) and Sponsor Letter: We encourage you write letters to your child which he/she will receive before their Confirmation. (Due May 1, 2022) click here for a letter instructions
- Sponsor at Confirmation: A certificate of eligibility is required from each sponsor. If a sponsor is a parishioner of St. Thomas, our Rectory staff will check eligibility. If this is the case, please indicate that the sponsor is a member of St Thomas the Apostle. More information about the qualifications for a sponsor is attached. (Due May 1, 2022) Click here for requirements needed to be a sponsor
The Following Projects are due no later than September 1, 2022- Works of Mercy Projects are due by September 1, 2022. All Candidates must complete 4 works of Mercy. Please submit each of your works of mercy on the link provided. If something is not accepted, the PREP office will contact you. These works and the forms should be complete by the Candidate.
- Saint Project due September 2021: Each candidate will research the name they have chosen for Confirmation. They will present in the social hall to our Parishioners after the October masses. A sign up will be sent out in the fall. A rubric will be given to guide the Candidates in completing this project.
Register for one of the five Ignite Retreats Offered. Must attend one before September 1, 2022- Confirmation Retreat: Attend a Confirmation Retreat (Ignite/ Bishop Shanahan)
Become familiar with all questions and be able to answer in your own words, by September 1, 2022- The Confirmation Study Guide: This is the set of Confirmation questions your child will be working on in class. The Candidates must be able to explain the answers to the 12 questions. They do not need to be memorized, just have an understanding.
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Ideas for ways to live out the corporal works of mercyWorks of Mercy allow us to extend God’s compassion and mercy to those in need. Through the Corporal Works of Mercy we can help our neighbors with their material and physical needs. While many of the ways we can help involve adults and their time, talent and resources, children can help out in their own small ways, too.In a discussion with the class we have talked about ways that we could help others by themselves, ways they could work with their parents to help others and ways we could work together as a class to help others. We tried to get the children to think beyond just the words – for example, visiting the imprisoned can be more than just visiting people in jail. Who else in our community is imprisoned? Who else can’t get around because of illness, injury, age, lack of means, and so on?“Give alms to the poor” is also sometimes included on this list, though it is not one of the seven listed on our form. Donating money to organizations that can help provide services and support would be something you could list for each of the other works of mercy.
Corporal Works of Mercy:
Feed the hungry – donate a meal to a needy family, collect canned goods to stock a food pantry, make sandwiches to give to the homeless, give restaurant gift cards to people in need, help at a soup kitchen
Shelter the homeless – make blankets for homeless shelters, make blessing bags for the homeless, help with your parish’s homeless outreach program, donate time at a shelter
Clothe the naked – donate outgrown clothes to a charity like St. Vincent de Paul, put hats, gloves, shirts, socks and underwear in blessing bags for the homeless, collect jackets and cold weather gear to donate
Visit the sick – make cards to take to a hospital, collect toys and books to deliver to a children’s hospital, visit a neighbor or family member who is sick and take them a meal
Visit the imprisoned – work with your parish’s prison ministry, donate to those who have family members in prison, visit a nursing home or home-bound neighbor
Bury the dead – send a card to someone who has recently lost a loved one, visit a cemetery and pray, donate food and your time for funeral luncheons
Give drink to the thirsty – collect bottled water to donate to a shelter, donate water to a city with a water crisis such as Flint, MI or Detroit Public Schools
Spiritual Works of Mercy:Admonish the Sinner- set a good example
- remind a sibling or friend of the rules
- offer to bring a friend or family member to Confession
- have a calm and loving chat with a person with whom you have a relationship about a particular sinful behavior
Instruct the Ignorant- teach a catechism class
- share a helpful article or blog post in a friendly way
- lend a good book
- be an RCIA sponsor or a godparent
- help a sibling read a book, play a game, or learn a prayer
Counsel the Doubtful- pray outside an abortion clinic
- be there to listen to a friend and give good advice
- reach out to a friend you think might need good advice
- help a sibling or friend make the right choice
Comfort the Sorrowful- visit a friend or family member who is having a difficult time
- send someone a sympathy card or a care package
- remember the anniversary of a friend’s loss
- read a story or sing a song to a sibling who is feeling sad
Bear Wrongs Patiently- don’t get mad at other drivers
- assume the best of people you encounter in real life and online
- give up a toy that a friend or sibling wants to play with, even though you had it first
- don’t gossip about the bad behavior of others
- don’t tattle
Forgive All Injuries- forgive a grudge you’ve been holding, even if it was someone else’s fault
- call or write to an estranged friend or family member
- give a friend or sibling a second chance
Pray for the Living and the Dead- visit a cemetery, especially in November
- keep a list of prayer intentions
- say a family Rosary
- pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet for those who will die this day
- pray the Prayer of St. Gertrude for the souls in Purgatory
- choose a family in your community and dedicate an entire week to praying for them
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