9/21/25 - Student Parent Essay

St Maximilian Kolbe Parish

February 21, 2026 Confirmation 

Student & Parent Confirmation Essays

(Each Confirmation Student/Candidate, and one or both parents, are to complete Confirmation essays.  Each essay is to be approximately 100-150 words, answering one of two questions)

Student/Candidate Essay Questions

Each student candidate must choose from one of the following two question options:

1. What type of Catholic/Christian man or woman do you envision being in the future?

The purpose of this question is for the Prep Team to get an idea of what it means to the Student/ Candidate to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  We want the Student/Candidate to think about what’s next after Confirmation.  Further, we want the student candidate to internalize and understand that Confirmation is not a graduation, but a new beginning.  It is the beginning of the rest of their lives as Catholic/Christian soldiers in living and spreading the Gospel.  

2. What steps do you need to take to get closer to God?  

The purpose of this question is for the Prep Team to get an idea of what a Student/Candidate’s relationship with God looks like.  This will likely be the first time the Student/Candidate has been asked to consider this.  We want the Student/Candidate to think about the future goals he or she might want to set as Catholic evangelizers.  This will allow the Prep Team to see what the Student/Candidate thinks is most important in having a relationship with Christ.

Parent Essay Questions

Parent(s) of the student candidate must choose from one of the following two options.  We would like at least one parent to write an essay: 

1. How have you shared with your Student/Candidate son or daughter the importance of this Sacrament of Confirmation?  We are not assuming that you as parents are on the same page when it comes to preparing for Confirmation.  Even if you have had a deep and profound conversation, we know that an adult is going to approach this differently.  Our goal with this question is to get an idea of what has been said, or not said.  We want to know the ideas that are shaping your son or daughter’s perspective of the journey they are going to take. 

2. What is the hope or vision you have for your child after he or she receives this sacrament of Confirmation?  This question is all about learning what you as parents want for your child.  All parents have fears, hopes and dreams for their children.  We want to hear them.  

Why Are Both Students and Parents Writing Essays?

We are having both students and parents write essays for Confirmation because we want to know exactly where you both are in your Faith journeys.  But more importantly, we want you and your son or daughter to know where the other is at, and where each is going.  This is essential at any time in life, but especially in these challenging times.

ESSAY SET UP

Please answer one of the following questions, or a combination of both, in one essay, with 100-150 words.  The essay should be typed, using Arial or Tahoma font, #12, with 2.0 spacing.  Please be honest.  There is no perfect answer.  

STUDENT ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. What type of Christian man or woman do you envision being in the future?

2. What steps do you need to take to get closer to God?  

PARENT ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. How have you shared with your student candidate son or daughter the importance of this Sacrament of Confirmation?

2. What is the hope or vision you have for your child after he or she receives this sacrament of Confirmation?

HOW TO SUBMIT ESSAYS/DUE DATES

STUDENTS:  Bring a hard copy of the printed essay to your class on Sunday, September 21, 2026 for Sunday students, and Wednesday, September 24, 2026 for Wednesday students.  

PARENTS: You can send in your essay with your son or daughter, or email them to your teacher, or to Mr. Collins at jcollins@stmax.org (Mr. Collins will print out the essays and give the hard copies to the teachers).  

The teachers will read the essays, provide written comments, and return them by the next scheduled class.

CONFIRMATION ESSAY

(Student or Parent Name Here)

(Name of Teacher Here)

(Date)

Type the question here in bold letters

Answer the question beginning here.  Do not bold the letters.   

_____________________________________________________________________ 

(NOTE: Essay should be typed, using Arial or Tahoma font, #12, with 2.0 spacing.  Essay should be set up as noted above.  Type the question you are answering in bold letters, but the essay itself should not be in a bold font).