Confirmation Prep - 8th-10th Grade

Class of 2017

This summer you will attend ONE in-house retreat.  We offer 2 different dates, but the retreat presented is the same.  The choices are Tuesday, July 18 or Saturday, August 12 from 9:30 AM until 3:30 PM.  Lunch and snacks will be provided.  The registration form is on the right side of this page, under Important Documents.  

During the school year, you will NOT attend the first class on August 27. Your first class will be on September 17th.  All of the Confirmation class of 2017 will meet in the Lower Level of the Hurley Center for the final 3 classes.  Those dates are Sept. 17, Sept. 24 and October 8.  

The Confirmation Ceremony will be on Saturday, October 28 at 10:30 AM. Rehearsal will be on Sunday, Oct. 22 at 2:30 PM in the Church. 

Class of 2018

I have received many of your Saint papers.  Some of these reports are addressed to the Bishop and Pastor.  The Saint papers ARE NOT THE SAME as your letters to the Pastor and the Bishop.  Guidelines for these assignments can be found in the Important Document  column on this page. 

The Holy Fire Event is being planned.  Check out the link for the Arch. of Chicago information about this event. 

Class dates for 2017-2018 school year.  

Classes will be from 4 PM until 5:15 PM on Sundays.   We are still finalizing our Parish calendar.  The dates below are tentative.  If you miss more than 2 classes per school year, there will be homework assigned to help you keep up with your class.  Sessions will meet: 

• August 27       Parent/Student/Teacher session in lower level
                         of the Hurley Center.  
                         Class of 2017 DOES NOT ATTEND. 
• Sept. 17, 24    All students.  Class of 2017 meets in the lower
                         level of the Hurley Center for it's final 3 classes. 
• Oct. 8              All students.  
• Oct 21             Holy Fire event at the U.I.C. Pavillion for 9th grade
                         students. (8th grade student attendence is TBD.)
• Oct. 22            Rehearsal for the Class of 2017.
• Oct 28             Confirmation at 10:30 AM.  Students and sponsors
                         should be in their assigned seats by 10:10 AM. 
• Nov. 5, 12       Regular class.  Candidacy Ceremony for the class of
                         asked to attend, and sit with, their Confirmation
                         candidate. 
• Jan. 7, 21        Regular classes. 
• Feb. 4, 11        Regular classes.
• March 4, 11     Regular classes.
• March 18         Final class of the season.  All are invited to attend the 5:30 Liturgy after this class.

Pick up procedures: I have written this before, but again I ask you....
If your teen is NOT attending the 5:30 Liturgy, you are to pick them up at the North East Parking lot: The parking area where Rectory was or by the basketball hoops. DO NOT pick up your teen in front of the Church, under or near the Canopy or in the Handicap parking spots. With the 5:30 Liturgy starting soon after class ends, the parking lot is very busy and we have had some issues with this timing.

Confirmation Preparation Overview

Begins in 8th grade. Our 2-1/4 year program concludes with our Confirmation Mass in November of the students' sophomore year. Classes are held on Sunday afternoons at 4:00 pm and conclude at 5:15 pm so that our students can attend the 5:30 pm Sunday Liturgy. 

Class texts are from the Dynamic Catholic Institute.  We will be using the series "Decision Point"  that has been developed by Matthew Kelly and his team. This series is the most comprehensive Confirmation preparation program around and will be used for both years.  

In addition to class time, our Confirmation candidates are also required to:

• Participate in service opportunities.  "One required, two desired."
• Attend a retreat that is specifly tailored for Confirmation students.  During the summer after the second year of Confirmation classes.
• Write a paper about the Saint they are choosing to guide them.  Include: Basic information on the Saint and why you feel inspired by this Saint. 
• Write a letter to the Bishop and our Pastor.

 

Confirmation attendance expectations:   If you are going to miss a class,  please email Nholpuch@stedna.org before class time. It is expected that you will be committed to attending these classes.  You have the syllabus for the class work:  Do the work for a missed class before the next class.

Students are encouraged to pick their sponsors during their first year of classes. This will allow the Sponsors to fully participate in this faith journey with the teens. Sponsors need to be a practicing, confirmed, Catholic who is over 16 years old, and is not the student's biological or adoptive parent. Students are encouraged to select their Godparents, Grandparents or other strong role models of the faith for this important position.

Notes for Parents

All classes for the St. Edna Confirmation Preparation classes will start each class with this prayer.

Lord Jesus Christ, be with us whom you have brought together for this Confirmation Program.  Teach us, touch our hearts. 
Guide us so that we may be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit:  The spirit of wisdom, the spirit of understanding, the spirit of right judgement, the spirit of courage, the spirit of knowledge, the spirit of reverence adn the spirit of wonder and awe.
Bless all of us who seek You and expecially the candidates for Confirmation.  This we ask, in confidence, of You who live and reign forever. Amen.

Folders, books, syllabus and bags are available for the first year students. We want the teens to use this folder and bag as set place for all things Confirmation. Second year students will have a new folder, book and syllabus.                       

I also ask that you check this website for information on a regular basis.   I update the website often.