Receiving the sacrament of confirmation strengthens young people's relationship with the Holy Spirit who is already working in them and who they received at their Baptism. We offer a comprehensive programme, allowing young people with their peers to grow in faith and reflect on what they believe, why they believe this and how they can share their faith.
To be eligible to join the Confirmation programme, a young person must be in school year 10 or above and they must be involved in parish life.
What does the programme involve?
This course will run from January - September 2022.
The Weekly Sessions
The programme involves weekly meetings in person. The sessions take place on Sundays at St Joseph's Church (GU1 4AZ), 6-7.30pm. A small dinner will be included. If you, as a parent, are able to help in the kitchen please send us an email.
Weekend Away (Friday 15th - Sunday 17th July)
As part of the programme, we also include a weekend away (Rooted) that is essential to attend. It is taking place between 1st-3rd July. This is a wonderful weekend of fun and faith, where Mass and Reconciliation will be offered. It will help to move what we have reflected on in the weekend sessions from the head to the heart - to a lived experience.
It can feel scary to come to a weekend away with the church if you've never been before but it is such an important part of the preparation. Not to mention it will also be really fun!
The cost for the weekend is £85 which is separate from the contribution we are asking for below. We hope to be able to offer a significant discount closer to the time, due to the generosity of our parishioners who will be praying for you.
Resources
We'll be adapting the material from the CCO faith studies, which we've been running very successfully in the parish over the last 2 year. We'll be using resources from their Discovery, Source and Growth programmes, which explore who Christ is, who the Holy Spirit is and how we can nurture our spiritual lives.
Throughout the programme, we provide your child with high-quality resources, to support them in growing in faith. A contribution of £30.00 for each participant, is requested to cover the cost of the resources provided throughout the course. If you have any concerns about this, do contact us.
Baptism Certificate
As part of the sign-up process, we will need your child's date and place of Baptism and, if they were not baptised within the Catholic Parish of Guildford (at St Mary's, St Joseph's, St Pius X's or St Edward's), we will need see a copy of their baptism certificate. This is required by Canon Law and must be seen before your child begins the programme.
If you are in year 10 this year and are registered on the database, your parent will have received an email inviting you to sign up to the programme.
If you are in year 11, 12 or 13 and are registered on the parish database then please use the contact form below, to let us know you would like to join the programme and we'll send you the sign up information.
If you are an adult, seeking Confirmation, you will need to join the RCIA programme instead.
The deadline to sign up for the Confirmation 2022 programme is Friday 7th January.
How to get involved in Parish Life
Parish Life: Focus (Youth group on Fridays @ 7 pm)
It is really important that young people, preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation, are engaged in parish life. One key way of becoming involved in the life of our parish, as a young person, is by joining Focus.We are very blessed in this parish to have this wonderful youth group for young people in school years 10-13. Every week we have a laugh and chat about life and faith together. We aim to inspire and strengthen young peoples' spiritual journeys. We meet every Friday during term time 7-9 pm. If your child would like to join Focus, please email us.
Parish Life: Mass
Another way young people can be involved in the parish and develop their relationship with God is by attending Mass. There are 7 opportunities to attend Sunday Mass in the Parish. Please find the times here.