To all Confirmation Candidates, Parents and Sponsors:

We are almost there! It has been a very busy 2 year schedule! I want to take this time to thank our Core Team: Kristen Warner, Deacon Ernie Gartung, Aaron Bruch, Matt Fell, Emily Dauerer, Sara Hatcher and Adam Moosekian for all of their hard work, patience and love with this very special group. It takes a dedicated team and you all are greatly appreciated!

As you know, our Retreat is this Saturday. Please have your student at the Church at 11:30 am, promptly! Thank you to Kristen Warner and Deacon Ernie for working so diligently with the Life Teen Leaders on getting them prepared to be leaders and many blessings to all our parents and sponsors that are providing rides, food, chaperoning, etc. for this glorious weekend!

As you know, our celebration of Confirmation will be:

Sunday, May 7 at 2:30 pm

Catholic Pastoral Center

2800 McGavock Pike,

Nashville, TN 37214

(Enter the building at door 2.)

* arrive by 1:45 pm *

If you have any questions, please call Denise at 615-459-9672 or 615-478-4962. Thanks for all your support during these past 2 years!


DRESS CODE REMINDER FOR CONFIRMATION FROM THE BISHOP

Because of the special nature of the occasion, and the spirituality of the place, dress for the confirmation should reflect the importance of the moment.

For Girls: Dresses/Skirts which cover the shoulders (sweaters can be worn) and come down to a respectable length near the knee in white or pastel colors. Modest, simple clothing with no large jewelry.

For Boys: Collared, long sleeve shirts (white or pastel in color) with appropriate tie and khaki or dress slacks with dress shoes; no tennis/jogging shoes. Blazers/suits can be worn, but not required.

Sponsors should abide by the same dress code.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Class photographs with the Bishop will be taken prior to Mass. Parents/Sponsors may take photos at this time ONLY. There are no candid photos permitted during any part of the ceremony.

SEATING

Each Parish will have reserved seating for confirmands and sponsors only. Students & sponsors need to arrive at the Center 45 minutes before the ceremony (1:45 pm). Students & sponsors sit by parish in the designated areas. The sponsor should sit to the LEFT of his/her candidate. All other family members sit behind or to the side of the reserved section. There will be a Master of Ceremony to direct the movement of the confirmands/sponsors during confirmation.

THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

Following the Gospel, the priest assisting the Bishop, presents the candidates for Confirmation by asking them to stand when calling their parish name. Once all are standing the Bishop will greet them and ask them to be seated for the homily.

HOMILY & RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES

The candidates are invited by the Bishop to stand. They should be informed of their responses,

“I do” well in advance so their renewal can be made in a clear voice, loud enough for all to hear.

LAYING ON OF HANDS

With the candidates standing, the Bishop, and any priest the Bishop has asked to assist him in conferring the sacrament, extend hands over the entire group and prays the prayer of epiclesis.

ANOINTING WITH CHRISM

The candidates with their sponsors, come and kneel before the Bishop. An assisting priest will come to the isles and usher the rows. The sponsor stands behind the candidate with his/her right hand on the candidate’s shoulder. The candidates should be aware of and prepared for their response.

The Bishop says: _____(name )_____________be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

The newly confirmed responds: Amen.

The Bishop says: Peace be with you.

The newly confirmed responds: And with your spirit.

FOLLOWING MASS

Confirmation Stoles and Certificates will be given to our Confirmands. Please stay for one last Group Picture in your Stole.

YOUCAT’S

I have for sale the Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, or “YOUCAT”, approved by Pope Benedict XVI, and the official catechism for World Youth Day. Written for high-school age people and young adults, YOUCAT is an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic Faith. The popular format includes Questions-and-Answers, highly-readable commentary, margin pictures and illustrations, summary definitions of key terms, Bible citations, and quotes from the Saints and other great teachers.

If you would like one for your student, please call me. They are $16 each. If I should sell all of these, I will order more asap.

NOVENAS

Included with this letter are two 9-Day Novenas. I would like all the Sponsors and Parents to pray the one titled “Confirmation Novena.” The dates are from Saturday, April 29th through Sunday, May 7th.

There is also a Student Novena included titled “Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit.” The same dates apply: Saturday, April 29th through Sunday, May 7th. This one is a little more detailed, so parents may have to give some guidance in the beginning.

Please try to make time each day to prepare for this glorious sacrament!