Confirmation

Service is an extrememly important part of our lives as Christians – we want to live as Christ did, and we can do so by serving those around us. We ask our Confirmation candidates to commit to serving a minimum of 10 hours of service, at least 5 of which must be in service to the St James Parish community in some way (you are always more than welcome to complete all 10 of your service hours in some parish ministry). The Ministry Opportunities Sheet (also handed out at the parent/candidate meeting) lists the different opportunities you have to serve in some sort of ministry in the parish. Please note some ministries have limited spots available and will be filled in the order that forms are received.

You are able to complete service hours outside of the parish – but you must be able to connect this experience to your growing relationship with Christ. If you complete service hours outside of the parish, you must notify Maggie first, and fill out this form after completing your service opportunity. General Information forms should be filled out and submitted by September 20

Choosing a Confirmation Sponsor (due by September 20)

This form asks for your sponsor’s information so that we can include them on emails! The parameters/requirements for choosing a sponsor are listed on the form!

Do not worry if your sponsor lives in another city/state – pick someone who has meaning to youOnce you have picked your sponsor, pass on these important dates to them: October 4 for the Candidate/Sponsor morning of reflection; April 29 for Confirmation Mass rehearsal; and May 1 for the Confirmation Mass. Sponsor forms should be filled out and submitted by September 20.

Confirmation Saint Selection (Due by March 16)

Each candidate for Confirmation is asked to select a saint whose name they will take as their Confirmation name.  Do some research and choose a saint whose life is inspiring to you and/or a saint that has qualities that you want to follow in your own life.  You should be able to talk a little about your saint (what they are known for, what they did that inspires you & why you chose this saint) in your Confirmation Name form and on your Questionnaire to the Bishop. Saint Selection forms should be filled out and submittedy by March 16.

Confirmation Retreat 

The Confirmation Retreat is a mandatory component of the Confirmation process. Retreats are designed to build community for ALL who attend so we ask you to come with a positive attitude and be open to the experience.

Friday, January 29-30, 2027

• Information to sign up for retreat will come out later in the year, around November-December
• If you are unable to attend the retreat, please contact Maggie Busateri at mrielley@stjames-parish.com to discuss alternate retreat options. We ask that if you do not attend the St. James retreat, please be open to a 2-day retreat, as that is the time commitment we ask of those attending our retreat.

Questionnaires for the Bishop & Confirmation Interviews

• Confirmation Candidate Questionnaire for the Bishop – more information to come
• Confirmation Interviews will be March 7-16.  Every confirmand must participate in a Confirmation interview. A sign-up will be sent out in February: you may sign up for a slot with one of the CF staff or the Confirmation catechists

Attendance Policy

YOU ARE MISSED when you do not attend, so please respect our catechists and the group by attending the sessions.

1. Make up work is required after you miss more than two sessions (Family Faith Day counts towards attendance).  ** Contact Amy at areuge@stjames-parish.com for makeup assignments.
2. On occasion, candidates may attend an alternate class time in the same week as their regular class time. Contact the CF office so we can alert the affected catechists.
3. If attendance becomes an issue, candidates may be asked to postpone Confirmation to a time they can commit more to the process.