We are so honored and blessed that you would choose to be a part of the Church of the Holy Family / St. Mark the Evangelist for your Confirmation preparation!

We are asking you to carefully read this document and make sure you are “all in” on it before proceeding with sign up. When you are finished reading it, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Dcn. Dan Medich (dmedich@hfgb.org) or Dcn. Ron Kenney (rkenney@stmarkgoodrich.org). We’re happy to help.

It seems clear to us that Confirmation is in danger of becoming a cultural ritual: a hoop we need to jump through that, when complete, ends our life in the Church until we need/want a wedding. We see within this preparation process an opportunity to help young people find and live meaning in their lives, beyond the hollow pursuits of our world. We have attempted to create a program that will help do that, so let’s take a look at it.

To help those who are to be confirmed (the formal word is confimandi!) deepen their personal relationship with God; develop their sense of belonging in a living Christian community and personally ratify their membership in the Catholic Church. It is assumed that the process of confirming the faith has been ongoing in their lives and that it will continue to be renewed long after their Confirmation. This commitment involves three aspects of their faith: the Individual, Jesus Christ and the Church.

Parents or guardians of those to be confirmed are requested to:

1. Attend Parent meetings and be familiar with the materials and process.
2. Attend Sunday Liturgy weekly as a family and live out their commitment to the Catholic faith.
3. Volunteer as needed.
4. Ensure you submit your child’s Baptism Certificate to your Parish Office by November 2024.

It is extremely important that those who seek the Sacrament of Confirmation Participation give their all to this process. Parents, sponsors and team members are trained and ready to guide them through this journey.
You can give your all by the following:

• If you are a Religious Education Student of St Mark, you’ll need to attend and participate in all Confirmation Mini Sessions and Confirmation Retreat.
• If you are a Religious Education Student at Holy Family, you need to Attend and participate in all Confirmation Mini Sessions, Confirmation Retreat and Sunday Religious Education classes as scheduled.
• If you are a student at Holy Family Catholic school, you’ll add to the preparation you are already receiving in daily instruction with the Retreat and the Confirmandi/Sponsor Mini Session.

No matter which school or religious education program, you’ll need to:

1. Choose one service date opportunity. All service hours must be completed, recorded, and submitted on time.
2. Participate in parish activities that involve helping others in need.
3. Attend Liturgy every Sunday

In choosing a sponsor it is important not to choose a person based on anything other than the way they live their Catholic faith. To put it bluntly, this is not a time to honor someone you like, but an opportunity to name whom you wish to emulate in the way they live and strive to become a saint.

The person you choose to serve as sponsor needs to be at least 16 years old, someone other than your parent, a Catholic who has been Confirmed, regularly attends Mass and is knowledgeable of the faith.

From the earliest days of God revealing Himself to us, the Bible reveals that when someone receives a special mission from God, their name changes. For example, Jacob became Israel, Simon became Peter, Saul became Paul. This was a custom of the day and one we carry over into confirmation.

The person receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation chooses a Saint name for their inspiration and as a sign of what they believe God is calling them to in their mission.

If you’d like some help in the selection process, here are a couple of websites we enjoyed:
https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints
https://www.catholic.org/saints/

(Due January 31, 2025)

Our Parishes have organized two opportunities to serve others at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint. Each confirmandi must choose one of the service dates listed below:

• Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 9am – noon
• Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 9am – noon

(Due after service date is completed.)

$100.00/student (Includes Confirmation Retreat at Our Lady of the Fields, Brighton, MI)
Do not let this be an issue. If this cost is something you are not able to do at this time, simply let us know so we can assist you.

(Due November 1, 2024)