Ascension Catholic Church | First Eucharist / Reconciliation

	Confirmation Ascension Catholic Church celebrates the Rite of Confirmation in the 9th grade on a day of convenience for your bishop. This year, it will take place on May 20th, 2012 at the 11:30am Mass. Confirmation candidates are required to attend one retreat and 10 classes as preparation for the Sacrament. The first 5 classes are on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6, Dec. 4, Jan. 22, and Feb. 19. However, these first five classes may be replaced by either attending 5 Sunday Action Nights or 5 Monday night Word at Windover sessions provided that the candidate has attended the Fall Retreat on Oct. 21-23. If the Candidate chooses to attend the spring retreat or a diocesan retreat, their only option for the first five classes is to attend the scheduled Sunday afternoon confirmation sessions. Sessions will be from 3:45 - 5:15, letting out in time for candidates to attend the 5:30 Mass. The Spring Retreat will be at St. Leo Abbey on March 1-3rd, and there will be an additional charge for this retreat. The last 5 sessions must be attended by ALL candidates on March 11, March 18, April 1, April 22 and May 6th. For further information and signup, please contact: Shelly Wackley Religious Ed. Assistant swackley@ascensioncatholicsch.org Additional Confirmation Requirements Mass Attendance Candidates are expected to attend Mass every Sunday. Opening Day & Enrollment Rite -- Sunday September 25. There will be a mandatory sacramental preparation opening day and enrollment rite to begin the Confirmation preparation process. This will take place on Sunday at 2:45pm, culminating with the Enrollment at the 5:30 PM Mass. *Parents are expected to attend. Sponsors are invited. Retreat* Candidates must also attend a weekend retreat. Opportunities will be available in both the fall and the spring. Any candidate who is unable to attend either of the retreats offered by Ascension will be required to make it up prior to receiving the Sacrament. This can be accomplished by attending a comparable Confirmation retreat at another parish in the Diocese and must be pre-approved by the Confirmation coordinator. Ascension fall retreat is 10/21-23 at Ascension Parrish; Ascension spring retreat is an away retreat with LIMITED SPACE on March 1-3rd! Sacramental Preparation Sacramental preparation for Confirmation candidates will consist of 10 meetings from Oct through April. Candidates who do the Ascension fall retreat can choose 2 additional options for the first 5 class requirements. All meetings are mandatory. Community Service Community service will be performed during the preparation process. The number of hours and variety of opportunities will be discussed during the preparation process. Participation is mandatory and if possible, sponsors and/or parents are invited to join the candidate. Sacrament of Confirmation and Rehearsal Rehearsal for the sacrament will take place on Sunday, May 13 prior to the sacrament. Attendance is mandatory. If a sponsor is unable to attend, a parent or guardian must attend in their place. The Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Sunday, May 29 at 11:30 AM. Confirmation FAQ How do I sign up for Confirmation? Confirmation signup is handled through the Religious Education office, using the same form as K-8 Religious Ed. Forms can be found online or in the main church office or the RE office. Who is eligible for Confirmation? Any young person entering or having already completed the 9th grade and who is already baptized and has received First Communion and First Reconciliation. When does the Confirmation preparation begin? Confirmation preparation begins on Sunday, September 25. There is an Opening Day and Enrollment, required for both candidates and their parents. Sponsors are invited as well. Who can be a Confirmation sponsor? Any practicing Catholic who has already been confirmed and is 16 or older (other than parents) is eligible. All sponsors are required to provide proof of eligibility through their home parish. How many meetings will there be? In addition to the Opening Day, there are 10 preparation sessions, a weekend retreat and the Confirmation rehearsal. Each is mandatory. See dates and options above. What happens if I miss a meeting? Candidates who miss a meeting are required to make it up by attending two Sunday night youth ministry meetings. Three missed meetings will require a meeting with the Pastor and Confirmation Coordinator and the formulation of a "plan-of-action" that must be followed in order to receive the sacrament. What about the retreat requirement? There are two weekend retreat options (See above) for candidates to choose from. Candidates must attend one of these three retreats in order to be eligible for the sacrament. Are there community service requirements? Yes, candidates are expected to perform a minimum number hours of community service and are encouraged to do so with either their sponsor and/or parents. When will the sacrament be celebrated? Celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Sunday, May 20th, 2012 at the 11:30 AM Mass. There will be a MANDATORY rehearsal on Wednesday, May 13 at 4:00 PM. Does attendance at MCC exempt the candidate from any of the requirements? No. Parishes, not schools, are the sole providers of sacramental preparation.