Confirmation

Confirmation Program Requirements

Students:

Reception of the Sacraments/Mass Attendance

• As Catholics, Holy Mother Church, in her wisdom, gives us the obligation to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that the confirmand go to Mass every Sunday. If this is not a regular practice in the family, now is the time to change that!

•  Each confirmand is encouraged to go to the Sacrament of Confession as a part of their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation!

Commitment letter

• In the beginning of the year, the students are asked to sign a letter of commitment to the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation

Class attendance

• If you miss a class, please contact Charlotte (beforehand if possible) to let her know why you are absent so she can send you the material to review. There are only TWO allowed absences. 

• Follow the PSR dress code

Parish involvement

• Confirmation candidates are required to reach 10 hours of parish involvement. This means attending events held at the parish such as youth group events (weekly youth group on Sunday, or Bible study on Wednesday), parish luncheons, Advent or Lenten services, or other events/activities! Parish involvement hours are separate from the class service project held in December.

Class service project

This year, we are collaborating with The Poor of Jesus Christ, a religious order here in Birmingham, to help feed and clothe the homeless in our city. Here is the information you need to know:

Meet at 2:00 pm at the Friars’ house located behind Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 708 1st St S, Birmingham, AL 35205

Each student must bring any of the following items:

• Hand warmers

• Hats

• Gloves

• Scarfs

• Socks

• Blankets

• Jackets

• Winter clothes

• Body lotion

• Wipes

You have the opportunity to sign up on a day that is most convenient for you (January 20th, January 27th, February 24th), but spots are limited as to how many people we can take on one day, so please be prompt about signing up!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aypnqjSOUXKaiCAuQLwOw3aKxC9I4KkXlazAekjLpGI/edit?usp=sharing

Retreat

• All students are required to attend the Confirmation retreat! The retreat is put on by NET Ministries and is an incredible experience! The retreat is on Thursday, March 21st from 4:30 - 9:00 pm. 

Sponsor selection

• Your sponsor should be someone who... 

• Is a practicing Catholic – Attends Mass every Sunday, frequents the Sacraments, prays, and will pray for you!

•  Someone you admire in the faith

• Someone who will commit to praying for you in your faith journey

• Select a sponsor by January 21st

Saint selection

• Choose a saint you admire, connect with, relate to, or desire to emulate

• Saint presentation: Present your saint to the class!

• Select a saint by February 25th

Confirmation practice

• Will be scheduled near to the time of Confirmation!

Confirmation

•  Tuesday, May 7th at 6:00 pm!

Parent Class Attendance Sign Up Form, click here.

Candidate Commitment Form, click here.

Confirmation Sponsor Form, click here.

The St. Mark the Evangelist Parish School of Religion has established a dress code for Confirmation class to communicate respect and honor to the parish and our fellow confirmation candidates, as well as to illustrate the importance and dignity of the sacrament of Confirmation

All candidates must maintain a neat appearance when attending class and Sunday Masses.

Men:

Ripped jeans, sweatpants, tank tops, athletic clothes, and flip flops are not appropriate attire.

Jeans, kakis, nice shorts, or dress pants; polos, flannels, dress shirts, or nice t-shirts are all within the dress code.

Clothing should not be too closely fitted and should not show any midriff or undergarments.

Shorts need to have approximately a 7” inseam.

Women:

Dresses, skirt and top, slacks or nice jeans and blouses are appropriate attire.

Clothing should not be too closely fitted and should not show any midriff or undergarments.

Tops and dresses should not have spaghetti straps, be too closely fitted, low in the neck, or show any midriff or undergarments.

Skirts and dresses need to cover ¾ of your thigh.

Leggings, tights, and compression bike shorts can be worn for warmth or comfort underneath other clothing of modest length. Yoga pants and leggings (alone) are NOT to be worn.

YOU ARE CHOSEN

In the Sacrament of Confirmation, we are called and Chosen by God to affirm our Catholic faith and to

embrace our roles as missionary disciples. Confirmation empowers us to live Christian life to the full.

Just like the early disciples, who received the grace, help, and power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, we

too “stir into flame” this same Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Saint Mark the Evangelist offers Confirmation preparation in the 9th grade. The preparation includes

weekly catechesis, weekly celebration of the Eucharist, involvement in the life of the parish, and

spending time with God in prayer. Listed below are the specific expectations that support and foster our

Confirmation candidates’ desire to know, love, and serve our wonderful God:

Confirmation Parent Meeting and Declaration of Intent

Preparation for Confirmation begins with a meeting for prospective candidates and their parents. At

this meeting, we will review the preparation process, the meaning, and the expectations for the year.

Candidates and parents will show their interest and dedication to the process by signing a Letter of

Commitment.

Weekly Celebration of Mass and Receiving the Eucharist - Food for the Way.

Just as God fed manna to Moses and the Israelites on their journey to the promised land, the candidates

and their parents will need spiritual nourishment for their journey. God provides this through the weekly

celebration of Mass and reception of the Eucharist. Weekly attendance at Mass is a critical component

in the preparation process and attendance is expected.  

Instruction - Ongoing throughout the School Calendar Year.

Candidates receive instruction through the Parish School of Religion on Sunday morning 9:00 am - 10:15

am. Our Parish uses Chosen: A Journey towards Confirmation by Ascension Press to prepare our

candidates and help guide our catechesis. This curriculum challenges the candidates to grow in their

Catholic faith and personal relationship with God. The Confirmation curriculum is different from an

academic course, for the main goal is to strengthen one's personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

Our Youth Minister, Charlotte Sederstrand, is the Confirmation catechist and leads each class. Parents

are expected to sign up to attend at least one of the 25 sessions in order to learn more and participate

in their child’s Confirmation preparation process. Parents will have the opportunity to sign up for a

particular date that they would like to attend.

Parish Life and Involvement

Confirmation candidates are required to reach 10 hours of parish involvement. This means attending

events held at the parish such as youth group events (weekly youth group on Sunday, or Bible study on

Wednesday), parish luncheons, Advent or Lenten services, or other events/activities! Parish involvement

hours are separate from the class service project held in December.

Confirmation Retreat

Our Confirmation Retreat is an integral part of the preparation for the Sacrament. It is a time of

engaging discussions, collaborative activities, pertinent teachings, and an opportunity to attend the

Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Service Project - Community Meal

Among Jesus’ most fundamental teachings are the Beatitudes, a central focus of the Confirmation

preparation. Therefore, the candidates are encouraged to open their hearts to love and serve others,

especially through our class service project with Bread and Roses Community Kitchen. A Parish family

provides the entire meal to feed the shelter participants. Our candidates accompany them to help seat

guests, prepare trays, and serve the participants at their tables. They are also in charge of clearing the

tables and cleaning the facility after the meal is served. As it is during the holiday season, they have also

been known to entertain with a Christmas carol. The date for the service project is TBD.

Choosing a Sponsor

Choosing a sponsor is a very important decision which requires discernment and prayer. The choice of

sponsor will be required on January 21, 2023. Your child will receive a booklet with more information on

choosing a sponsor. The general sponsor requirements are:

Must be 16 years of age and Confirmed.

Must be a practicing Catholic in good standing. A form must be completed and returned from the parish

at which the sponsor is a member.

Must be someone who will commit to praying or and supporting their candidate in their faith journey

throughout their life.

Choosing a Confirmation Saint and Name

Each candidate will select a saint’s name for Confirmation. Receiving a new name at Confirmation

reflects a tradition found in both the Old and New Testaments and signifies starting a new role in life.

During the Confirmation ceremony, the Bishop addresses the candidates by their new names. Each

candidate will choose a patron saint whose name they will take. This saint will serve as a model for the

candidate and help them through their prayers as they follow Jesus’ teaching, defending the faith, and

spreading His Gospel message. The saint can be one they admire, connect with, relate to, or desire to

emulate. The saint will need to be chosen by February 25 th , and each candidate will prepare a short

presentation to share with the class about their saint and why they chose them.

Confirmation Dress Code

The St. Mark the Evangelist Parish School of Religion has established a dress code for Confirmation class

to communicate respect and honor to the parish and our fellow confirmation candidates, as well as to

illustrate the importance and dignity of the sacrament of Confirmation.

All candidates must maintain a neat appearance when attending class and Sunday Masses.

Men:

Ripped jeans, sweatpants, tank tops, athletic clothes, and flip flops are not appropriate attire.

Jeans, kakis, nice shorts, or dress pants; polos, flannels, dress shirts, or nice t-shirts are all within the

dress code.

Clothing should not be too closely fitted and should not show any midriff or undergarments.

Shorts need to have approximately a 7” inseam.

Women:

Dresses, skirt and top, slacks or nice jeans and blouses are appropriate attire.

Clothing should not be too closely fitted and should not show any midriff or undergarments.

Tops and dresses should not have spaghetti straps, be too closely fitted, low in the neck, or show any

midriff or undergarments.

Skirts and dresses need to cover ¾ of your thigh.

Leggings, tights, and compression bike shorts can be worn for warmth or comfort underneath other

clothing of modest length. Yoga pants and leggings (alone) are NOT to be worn.

Confirmation Practice

Confirmation practice will be held the week prior to Confirmation. All parents and students are required

to attend. Sponsors are encouraged to attend practice but are not required. It is essential for candidates

and parents to attend so that they understand how the Mass will work and their role in it.

Sacrament of Confirmation

TBD

The Diocese of Birmingham sets the schedule for all Confirmation Masses. It will be announced as soon

as determined. Candidates will continue their sacramental studies through the end of the 2023-2024

PSR calendar year.