Religious Education – Expectation to regularly attend Religious Education classes and the Confirmation prep sessions, as well as Youth Ministry activities whenever possible. Unexcused absences from RE will be documented. Students and parents will be notified if absences become a problem. Sessions will be held on Sundays (5:30-8:30pm). First semester will be virtual, second semester we hope to gather due to curriculum (Theology Of the Body) we will be using. Sessions will last 3 hours, with a variety of materials and processes used; breaks will be provided. Students are always required to participate in discussions and have their screens on (showing their entire face) during gatherings. We ask that unless discussed prior, participants should refrain from eating while on screen.

Homily Notes: Candidates are expected to turn in Homily Notes monthly. These can either be handwritten or typed up and turned in to your DFF. Please write one paragraph explaining what the homily was about, and one paragraph what it meant to you or what you got out of it. You are encouraged to do this for at least one Mass outside of our cluster, when you do so please write down the name of and the location of the parish.
(* If you would rather, you can give oral reports each month to the DFF.)

Confirmation Prep Sessions: These sessions will be held in conjunction with RE sessions. All absences are by prior approval of the DFF, and you will be expected to make the session up. The dates for the 2020-2021 sessions can be found here: Confirmation Calendar 2020-21.

The Confirmation Liturgy: The liturgy is currently scheduled to take place in the fall of 2021. We have just received the date: Saturday, August 21 @ 6:30pm at St. Mark. (Please note the time change since our meeting.).

Baptismal Records: Parents, we are required to know the parish and location your candidate was baptized. If they were not baptized in our cluster then a sealed baptismal certificate will need to be received from the parish of Baptism prior to the beginning of our Confirmation preparation. A form will be provided for you to fill out and return to your DFF.  Mass attendance in or out of the Cluster: The Mass is central to the Catholic Faith. Attendance at Mass is not just an obligation but is a privilege as it is where we hear the Word of God and remember the sacrifice of our Lord in the Eucharist. While we are now living in a different time, we feel strongly that Mass attendance is still important. We are blessed to have the technology to be able to attend Mass in our homes if we do not feel safe gathering. A list with live-streamed Mass opportunities can be found here: Live Stream Mass Information We are entrusting our candidates and their parents with making sure Mass attendance is a priority.

Service Hours: In the past candidates were expected to complete several service hours on their own in addition to our gathered sessions. This year we will be doing things a little differently. We will be providing opportunities that we will do mostly together during the year. Candidates will be expected to participate in these events and advance notice will be given of dates. Our service opportunities will cover three areas: church, community, and family. Reflection sheets will be distributed at the events for candidates to fill out and return.

Sponsors: Each candidate must have a sponsor that fulfills the guidelines. Sponsors will not be expected to attend all gatherings, but are more than welcome to join us at any time. We just ask that you let us know ahead of time if the sponsor will be attending class, when we gather. There are times they are required though, if a sponsor is unable to attend then a proxy (another person that is not their parent) must attend in their place. A guideline sheet for choosing a sponsor can be found here: Sponsor Form. Sponsor names and contact information must be turned in by October 1, 2020.