Dear Parents and Guardians,
We're almost there! We celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation next week! Thank you for all you have done to accompany your child in preparation for this milestone in their faith development.
We concluded our final class on January 7, 2024 and I haven't had a chance to email the link for a recording of the session (which comes from 2021) but is a way for candidates to make up what they missed. If your child missed, January 7th's meeting, the can watch the video to make up the session.
Thank you to parents who have been submitting to me their child's reflections and final snapshots of their preparation. A reminder, that I must have your child's correct spelling of names, sponsor, and saint name by Friday! If you haven't already done so, please click on the button below entitled "Confirmation Name Form" to make sure your child is included.
I have gotten a few questions about dress code for the Confirmation Mass, I have included our instructions about the dress code below.
Details about the Mass, and the rehearsal this Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 6:00pm in the main church are also below.
One final but important detail... I am looking for students who would be willing to fill some of the liturgical roles during the Mass. I need to know who they will be by Friday.
The roles include:
First Reader
Second Reader
Petition Reader
Gift Bearers
Please email me at david@standrew.org to express interest and I will offer the roles to families on a first come first serve basis.
There is also an invitation to candidates who have siblings who would like to serve the Confirmation Mass. We are in need of 5 altar servers. I also need 3 parents who will be willing to help with ushering that evening by taking the collection. For any of these roles please email me at david@standrew.org
I'm very much looking forward to the Confirmation Mass. If there are any questions, please let me know! And I will do my best to respond.
Blessings,
David Heimann
Confirmation Rehearsal & Mass
The Confirmation Rehearsal will be on Sunday, January 21 at 6:00pm in the main church at Saint Andrew. I ask for either the Confirmation Sponsor or a parent to attend with the Confirmation Candidate so that instructions can be passed along. We understand that Confirmation Rehearsal happening 5 days before Confirmation makes it difficult for out-of-state or out-of-country sponsors to attend the rehearsal.
The Confirmation Mass itself will take place on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 7:00pm. There will be plenty of seats, but the only person with reserved seating will be the candidates and sponsors. The Church will open at 6:00pm for anyone who wishes to claim a seat. Candidates will be expected to arrive at 6:15 so they will have time to meet with the bishop prior to the service.
Dress Code
The basic instruction that we have for the dress code is that it should be appropriate to your family for a significant even similar to receiving a major award from the governor. Every family is different and I do not put a lot of restrictions on people's dress, but I can tell you that even in the poorest parts of the world, I have witnessed candidates for Confirmation wearing their most dignified clothing available to them.
One note for individuals with long hair. The candidates will be wearing name tags on their upper left shoulder with their Saint Name on them. During the Rite of Confirmation, hair needs to be pulled back so that it doesn't cover the name tag. Also, nametags feel very uncomfortable and don't work well on skin. Therefor, for the Rite of Confirmation, shoulders must be covered for practical reasons.