Confirmation 2024 - 2025

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Confirmation Program at St. Thomas the Apostle. This is an exciting time for you and your family.

Confirmation is a Sacrament of Initiation along with Baptism and Eucharist. Both Baptism and Confirmation prepare the way for our full sharing in the Eucharist. At your child’s Baptism, promises were made to raise your child in our faith. Confirmation seals the Gifts of the Holy Spirit within us and strengthens the graces received at Baptism. Confirmation is transformative in that we become the person God created us to be. Through Confirmation we are called to actively live the faith of the Church as disciples of Christ.

Throughout this Confirmation process it is important to remember and emphasize to your child that Confirmation is a beginning and not an end of faith preparation. Our faith is a lifelong journey. As the candidate comes forward to be confirmed, he or she professes their faith in the Catholic Church. At this stage in your child’s spiritual journey, he or she is expected to take the lead in the decision to be confirmed. We encourage the family to take an active role in the spiritual formation of their child. It is our Catholic obligation to attend weekly Mass either Saturday evening or Sunday.

• BEGINNING THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 21ST & 22ND the RED MASS ATTENDANCE BINDER will need to be signed by ALL CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES. Each candidate will find their name, sign the page, and indicate which Mass they attended. If you attend Mass at another parish, PLEASE BRING A BULLETIN FROM THAT CHURCH SIGNED BY A PRIEST AT THAT PARISH.
• ALL CANDIDATES ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND MASS EVERY SATURDAY EVENING OR SUNDAY. As parents you are the primary educators in your child’s faith, and it is imperative that you attend Mass every week.
• ST. THOMAS MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday evening: 4:00 PM / Sunday at: 8:00, 10:00 AM and 12 Noon.

Our Confirmation candidates, parents and sponsors must take Confirmation preparation seriously and prayerfully. The goal for all involved is to deepen your relationship with God and each other. Be an active participant with your child during this process. Confirmation is the beginning of a life of Christian service and worship. Jesus is continually calling us into a deeper relationship if our hearts are open to Him.

May the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your child during this time of preparation.

Any questions, please call the PREP Office at 732-251-1660.

Sincerely,
Debbie Yesis
Parish Catechetical Leader