The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God, secondly to do it in the manner He wills, and thirdly to do it because it is His will.
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
I. CONFIRMATION CLASS
Confirmation class is scheduled Sundays from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. (This includes the Youth Mass).
It’s preferred the confirmand attends the 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, Youth Mass. The confirmand doesn’t have to attend the Youth Mass, but they must attend a Sunday Mass.
If the confirmand attends Mass at St Elizabeth Seton at another time, they are to greet the priest or deacon before or after Mass to ensure their attendance is recognized.
If the confirmand attends Mass in another church they are to greet the priest or deacon after Mass and ask them to sign a church bulletin, verifying their attendance.
II. EXAMPLES OF GREETING THE PRIEST OR DEACON
Greeting a priest or deacon in another parish:
Hello Father or Deacon, I am a confirmand at St Elizabeth Seton parish, my name is (name). Can you sign this bulletin to verify my attendance at Mass? Thank you.
Greeting Fr. Sergio at St Elizabeth Seton after Mass other than the 5:00 p.m. Youth Mass.
Hello Father, I am a confirmand and my name is (name). I want to make sure you’re aware I attended Mass today.
III. CONFIRMATION / CYO HOURS
Youth Mass: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Class / CYO: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
IV. CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION (CYO) AND CONFIRMATION CLASS
The confirmand is an active member of the CYO.
The confirmand will participate, in the CYO, on alternating Sundays.
CYO activities is a vital part of the curriculum since it offers the experience to see their Catholic faith in action and the face of Christ in others.
V. CYO ACTIVITES
The confirmand is required to take part in community service ministry experience.
Ministry experience has “officially” replaced the term “community service”.
The confirmand is encouraged to partake in as many ministry experiences as possible.
A valid reason, from the parent, is required to excuse the confirmand from ministry experience as well as Confirmation class. (See X E 2).
The confirmand is required to write a letter to the bishop describing their ministry experience. (See VIII A 1 - 4).
VI. CONFIRMATION CLASS & THE CYO WILL ALTERNATE SUNDAYS
The confirmand is obligated to attend Confirmation class when scheduled.
The confirmand is obligated to attend CYO when scheduled.
In most cases, the Confirmation prep is on one Sunday & CYO the next Sunday.
If the confirmand takes part in a ministry experience on a Sunday afternoon of a scheduled confirmation class, they are still obligated to attend class that evening.
If the confirmand takes part in a ministry experience on a Sunday afternoon with no scheduled confirmation class, they are still obligated to attend Mass. (See I B - D).
VII. CONFIRMAND REQUIREMENTS
Attend Mass, class, CYO and special events during class time such as the first parent meeting, “Saints Alive,” etc.
Have fun, taking part in as many ministry experiences as possible.
Write a letter to the bishop about their ministry experience. (See VIII A 1 - 4).
Choose a sponsor.
Choose a confirmation name.
Write a paper on the saint whose name is chosen for Confirmation. (See VII B 1 – 2)
VIII. LETTER TO THE BISHOP AND PAPER ON THE CHOSEN SAINT NAME
The confirmand must write a letter to the bishop about their ministry experience to include 4 areas of discussion:
Their ministry experience.
What they learned from their ministry experience.
How their ministry experience can continue after Confirmation and beyond.
If they heard of the call to Intentional Discipleship. (See IX).
An explanation of why the confirmand feels ready to be confirmed.
The confirmand must write a paper on the saint whose name they chose by following an example, which will be handed out at class. This will include:
A short life history of the saint (to include miracles and patronage).
Reasons for choosing the saint.
IX. INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
Intentional Discipleship is Pope Francis’ dream of parishes transforming from being maintenance driven (keeping afloat) to mission driven (all parishioners evangelizing).
Bishop Louis F. Kihneman, III desires to implement intentional discipleship to guide the Diocese of Biloxi toward the evangelization of today’s world.
Intentional Discipleship promotes uniting Confirmation prep with the CYO.
X. PARENT REQUIREMENTS
Pray for everyone involved in the confirmand’s spiritual growth.
Join the Confirmation Parents site by downloading the “myparish” app to your cell.
Text 88202 or open myparish.com app from your cell phone.
Sign permission slips supplied by CYO, regarding ministry experiences.
Permit or excuse the confirmand’s class, CYO, or ministry experience attendance.
Permission must be signed by the parent.
Excuses must be made by the parent via phone call or text. (See XIV).
Permission slips must be written in the parents hand, permitting their confirmand to drive or ride with another confirmand to a ministry experience. (See XII).
Be a part of their confirmand's spiritual growth.
Parents are encouraged to sit in class, attend ministry experiences, and ask the confirmand about class; as well as, join them for dinner (we’ll need a head count).
XI. PERMISSION SLIPS
Permission slips will be provided, by the CYO, for the parent's signature.
Permission slips must be signed and turned in prior to the ministry experience or brought to the ministry experience under extenuating circumstances.
Confirmands driving or riding together must have permission slips written in the parents own hand; such as:
A confirmand driving alone to a ministry experience location.
A confirmand driving one or more confirmands to a ministry experience location by all whose children are involved.
XII. PERMISSION SLIP EXAMPLES
Confirmand driving alone to a ministry experience location.
Permission from the driver’sparent:
I permit (confirmand’s name) to drive to (ministry experience location) on (date). I understand St Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church and her designated minister/s are excluded from any liability, in the event, tragedy occurs during the drive to and from a ministry experience. Signed (yourname).
Confirmand driving one or more confirmands to a ministry experience location.
Permission from driver’s parent:
I permit (confirmand’s name) to drive (the riding confirmand’s name/s)to (ministry experience location) on (date). I understand St Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church and her designated minister/s are excluded from any liability, in the event, tragedy occurs during the drive to and from a ministry experience. Signed (your name).
Permission from the rider’s parent:
I permit (confirmand’s name) to ride with (the driving confirmand’s name) to (ministry experience location) on (date). I understand St Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church and her designated minister/s are excluded from any liability, in the event, tragedy occurs during the drive to and from a ministry experience. Signed (your name).
XIII. EXCUSE OF ABSENCE
Parents must text or call to excuse the confirmand’s absence from Confirmation class, CYO participation, or ministry experience.
1. Deacon Michael: 228.282.3345
2. Kitten Butler: 228.217.0577
XIV. PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Our parish has solicited volunteers to cook for over 40 on Sundays.
Please consider volunteering to cook on a Sunday.
If the cook can volunteer their time and money for food, we thank you.
If the cook can volunteer their time; yet, needs reimbursement for food, we thank you, and are most willing to reimburse expenses.
See the church bulletin for dates available for volunteers to cook.