Confirmation Handbook

2019-2020

St. Anthony Parish

Hawthorne, NJ

What We Offer

We offer a three-year Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program for public

school eighth-graders (year one for Catholic school eighth-graders is covered in

religion class) and all high school teens from St. Anthony Church in grades 9-10.

This includes those attending public high schools and private high schools. All

sacramental preparation for Confirmation must be done through our parish

program. There is no home-schooling option.

Readiness Profile

The purpose of the preparation program for the celebration of the sacrament of

Confirmation is to assure the readiness of the candidate. Although it is tempting to

determine the readiness of a candidate for the sacrament of Confirmation based

solely on age, or grade, or other measurable criteria, there are other factors that

need to be included in this assessment.

A young person is considered ready to enter a program for Confirmation

preparation by meeting some or most of the following requirements:

A willingness to participate in shared faith experiences.

Developing maturity.

Ability to articulate a genuine request to learn about the sacrament.

Interest in being an active member of the faith community.

Desire to live a life committed to the life and mission of the Church.

Interest in further exploring the Catholic faith.

Regular participation in communal faith experiences, as well as Sunday Eucharist.

Program Requirements

St. Anthony Church’s Confirmation preparation program is designed to help our

teens come to a deeper understanding of how the Holy Spirit works in their lives

and in the life of our Church and of how they can interact with that Spirit to lead a

life that will draw them into a closer relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Teens

who wish to participate in the Confirmation program must be Baptized Catholics

who have received their sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Proof of

Baptism is required. Teens who have not received the sacraments of Baptism,

Reconciliation and Eucharist, or who are converts to Catholicism, will be asked to

participate in a teen R.C.I.A. program.

Teens who have not attended Catholic School prior to participation in the

Confirmation preparation program will be asked to participate in a pre-

Confirmation preparation program which normally begins in the 8th grade year.

In order to gain a better understanding of our youth ministry outreach, High School

Teens are also required to participate in at least one Parish Youth Group Meeting

each year during their 9th and 10th Grade program years. Times and dates are listed

in the Church bulletin.

Service Projects

Service is an integral part of the Christian life. Confirmation preparation requires

an experience of service for teens. Each candidate preparing for the sacrament of

confirmation is required to complete 10 hours of community service in their 9th

grade year and an additional 10 hours in their 10th grade year, totaling 20 hours

prior to confirmation. (Please note that candidates cannot do 14 hours in 9th grade

and then only 6 hours in 10th grade. Each must do at least 10 hours each year.) As

hours are completed, they must be reported using the Service Hours Record Form.

Students are allowed to complete as many projects as they want, but each project

must address a category below and each must complete at least 1 project per

category per year. Candidates who fail to complete their service will have their

preparation extended and be asked to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at a

later time.

EACH PROJECT COMPLETED= 2 HOURS TOTAL HOURS TOTAL PER YEAR=10

TOTAL PROJECTS NEEDED TO BE COMPLETED= 5

Below, are some examples of projects for each category. Students are more than

welcomed to complete their own projects, as long as they fit into the categories below.

To make sure a project will fit, contact Craig Jandoli at: craigjandoli@gmail.com

FOR THE CHURCH

- Setup/Break down or volunteer for

the feast

- Help decorate church for Christmas

and Holy Week

- Help at Vacation Bible School

- Serve as a classroom aide for CCD

- Ask the different ministries if they

need assistance at upcoming events.

FOR THE HUNGRY/HOMELESS

- Organize/participate in a food drive

- Help to organize/sort donated food for area food

bank or soup kitchen.

- Volunteer to serve food at soup kitchen

- Organize/participate in a collection drive for

supplies/clothes for an area homeless shelter. Call

shelter to find out their needs.

- Crop Walk

FOR THE COMMUNITY

- Work with your local Municipal

Alliance or Rotary

- Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout Award)

- Volunteer for Special Olympics or at a

special needs camp

FOR THE SICK

- Visit a nursing/assisted living home. Spend time

talking to/cheering up the residents.

- Commit to a schedule of activities at a nursing

home. Work with their Director/ Activities

Coordinator to match your talents/interests with

the home’s needs.

- Partake in a Relay for Life or a Walk that raises

money for certain illnesses/diseases

St. Anthony’s Confirmation Program

Student Service Hours Record Form

Name:___________________________________________ Grade:__________

Service Supervisor

Date Site of Service Category Hours Descripton of Service Initials

REMEMBER EVERY PROJECT YOU COMPLETE AUTOMATICALLY GIVES YOU TWO HOURS

Categories: 1 - For the Church 2- For the Sick/Elderly

3 - For the Hungry/Homeless 4 - For the Community

Please keep the following tips in mind when completing service hours: • All 9th and 10th grade students must perform 10 hours of service. • Students are responsible for getting their sheets initialed by the adult in charge • Always keep a copy of your service form in a safe place. This is your proof of the number of hours

you have completed if there is ever a question.

Preparation Sessions

Each candidate is required to attend all sessions, including 9th & 10th grade retreats,

which will take place at St. Anthony School as scheduled because these sessions are so

important and there are not very many of them. The calendar for the year is listed

at the end of this handbook and so please plan accordingly. Any 8th grade student

who misses more than two sessions will be asked to repeat the year. Any 9th or 10th

grade student who misses more than one session will be asked to repeat the year. If a

student does miss class, he or she will be required to stay one additional hour the

next class date. Candidates who fail to complete this requirement will have their

preparation extended and be asked to receive the sacrament of Confirmation at a

later time. Please note: All candidates must participate in the St. Anthony

Confirmation retreat held at St. Anthony, unless there is an extreme hardship.

Inclement Weather

In the case of inclement weather when classes are cancelled parents will be notified with

a text and email via our ParishCast system. Please be sure that Diane in the Religious

Education office has your current information. Cancellations will also be posted on the

program Facebook page. Please note that in the event of a cancellation, the Emergency

Day included in the calendar will be used to make-up the class. Be sure to put the

make-up date on your calendar because if a class is cancelled students are expected to

attend on that day.

Selecting Confirmation Names

Candidates may retain their baptismal name, rather than choosing another name.

That way the unity between Baptism and Confirmation is maintained. However, a

special Christian name may be chosen by the candidate if they so desire.

Selecting Sponsors

All candidates must choose a sponsor prior to the reception of the sacrament of

Confirmation. Sponsors may be of any gender. It is more beneficial if the candidate

chooses his/her sponsor prior to their 10th grade program.

Requirements for sponsors are (requirements need to be verified):

A sponsor should be a confirmed Catholic who has received Eucharist and who

leads a faith-filled life.

According to Canon Law, parents may not be sponsors, since they already have a

major role in their teen’s life.

Candidates are required to provide their Sponsor’s Confirmation certificate.

Discipline Code

The atmosphere which fosters cooperation, friendliness, respect for students,

classmates and catechists is the only one in which everyone can learn. The goal of

Confirmation Preparation is to understand the way of life that God has shown us

through the living example of Jesus Christ, thus strengthening the bond of

Christianity among all. However, this goal can only be accomplished with the

cooperation of everyone involved in the classroom setting.

The misconduct of students prevents the catechist from teaching the lesson as

prepared by the catechist. As a result, the well-behaved students suffer and the

volunteer catechist becomes discouraged and loses interest in teaching the class. It is

necessary that a discipline code be followed by all students to prevent distractions

during class time.

General Rules for Students

• Arrive on time and come to class prepared to work. Students should

bring their books, Bibles and something with which to write to every class.

Once the catechist has arrived, students are to enter the class and be seated.

More than 30 minutes late will constitute an absence from that class.

• Act appropriately at all times.

• Respect your fellow classmates and catechists. No name calling,

profanity, bullying or rudeness will be tolerated.

• Respect the property of others and leave the classrooms in the same

condition you found them. Do not touch student desks and hallway lockers. No

gum chewing or eating in the classroom.

• Use the restroom before class begins or at the break time designated by

the catechist in order to reduce classroom interruptions.

• No hand-held electronic devices during class time including, but not

limited to, cell phones, I-Pods, games, etc.

• There will be zero tolerance for substance abuse of any kind by students

and parents, including but not limited to, illegal drugs, inhalants, alcohol and

tobacco.

• No object which may be construed as a weapon or use of said object as a

weapon will be tolerated on-site during religious education sessions.

• Any student unable to follow the discipline code will be subject to

suspension from the program and may not be allowed to rejoin the program

until the following program year. In this case, no refunds will be given.

• If a student must leave their session ahead of dismissal time, the student

must present a valid note from their parents. Parents may also call the

religious education office to arrange for their teen to leave early for a valid

reason only. Leaving more than 30 minutes early will constitute an absence.

• Parents are responsible and liable for any property damage of the school

or church caused by their teen during any session.

• Students and parents are expected to follow all rules and regulations as

outlined in this handbook.

The Religious Education Office is located on the first floor of St. Anthony School.

Please use the main school entrance when visiting the office (outside of class time)

and announce your visit to any school staff. The office is located in the school, next

to the school office. Diane Brown can be reached at 973-427-1478, Monday &

Wednesday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9:00 – 5:00 PM

Address

270 Diamond Bridge Avenue,

Hawthorne, NJ 07506

Telephone: 973-427-7873

Fax: 973-427-4826

E-Mail: religiouseducation.stanthony@gmail.com

Religious Education Office Staff

Director: Ms. Therese Grolly

Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Diane Brown

Mr. Craig Jandoli craigjandoli@gmail.com

Confirmation Preparation Calendar

For 2019-2020

All Grades (8th/9th/10th) will meet on Sundays 10:00 to 11:45am

8th Grade Sessions 9th /10th Grade Sessions

October 6th Class 1 October 6th Class 1

October 27th Class 2 October 19th 9th Grade Retreat

November 10th Class 3 November 17th Class 3

November 24th Class 4 December 8th Class 4

December 8th Class 5 January 5th Class 5

December 15th Class 6 February 2nd Class 6

January 12th Class 7 March 1st Class 7

February 9th Class 8 April 5th Class 8

March 8th Class 9 April 25th 10th Grade Retreat

March 29th Class 10 May 10th Emergency Day*

April 5th Class 11

April 26th Class 12

May 17th Emergency Day*

*In case of class cancellation for any reason such as snow.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND RECEIPT

It is very important that you read the Confirmation Preparation Parent Handbook.

After you have read the handbook, please, sign, and return this form to St.

Anthony’s Religious Education Office, Attention: Diane Brown as soon as possible

(preferably your child’s first class).

I acknowledge that I have received and read the St. Anthony’s Sacramental Parent

Handbook and recognize that it is my responsibility to familiarize myself and my

child with the policies and procedures it contains.

Myself and my child have read and agree to abide by the policies and procedures

outlined in the Confirmation Preparation Parent Handbook.

______________________________________________________________

Name of Student

______________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian

______________________________________________________________

Signature of Student

_____________________________________________________________

Date