Sacraments Confirmation
Holy Spirit stained glass

Confirmation Preparation 2025

Registrations for St. Maurice Parish’s Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program are now under way! After reading through the General Information and Requirements sections, you can register at the bottom of this page. (Updated November 6, 2024).

WHY BE CONFIRMED?

After having received the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, and Holy Communion, the last step to be fully initiated in the Catholic Church is to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. While the first three sacraments are particularly geared towards growing in personal holiness, Confirmation is fundamentally the sacrament that empowers us for mission. This means becoming a bold, fearless disciple of Jesus Christ working to bring the Good News of salvation to the world, which longs for peace, joy, hope, and truth.

Receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation is an exciting step in one’s Christian journey. It also marks, not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter in one’s life. Our team at St. Maurice Parish is looking forward to cooperating with you and the Holy Spirit to help your child become the man or woman that God is calling them to be.

General Information

Who can register: Students in grades 6. Exceptions are made for children in higher grade levels if they did not receive Confirmation in grade 6.

Location: Saint Maurice Parish (in person).

Registration deadline: December 15, 2024

Required Meetings:

  • Session 1: Sunday January 26 (2:00-4:00 pm)
  • Enrollment Mass: Sunday February 2 (9:00-10:30 am)
  • Session 2: Sunday February 23 (2:00-4:00 pm)
  • Session 3: Sunday March 16 (2:00-4:00 pm)
  • Session 4: Sunday April 6 (2:00-4:00 pm)
  • Session 5: Sunday May 25 (2:30-4:00 pm — note delayed start)
  • Confirmation Mass & Rehearsal: Both dates to be confirmed once we hear back from the Bishop’s office. These could be weeknights. (Dates between May 25 and the end of June)

Requirements

Child Attendance Requirements: Each session is essential and integral to the program. Attendance at ALL sessions is mandatory, so please reserve the dates above in your calendars far in advance, and plan to remain flexible and in the Ottawa area between May 25 and the end of June, until the dates for the Rehearsal and Confirmation Mass are confirmed. (Certain exceptions for up to one missed session can be made, if arrangements are made prior with the coordinator.)

In the case of an absence from a session due to a serious scheduling conflict, illness or emergency, the parent assumes the responsibility to contact the coordinator to discuss the next steps. This will include making-up for a missed session at home. An unjustified absence could result in being unable to complete the program and in delaying the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

 

Parental Attendance Requirements: One parent or legal guardian (e.g. not grandparents or friends) must accompany your child for the entire duration of the program, thus also attending ALL sessions mentioned above. It should ideally be the same parent who journeys with the child and attends all sessions with them.

It is hoped for and desirable that parents also participate actively during the program, and contribute to the spiritual development of their child, both during the sessions and at home. Our hope is that this experience will be spiritually fruitful, not only for the child, but also for the parent’s faith journey and that of the rest of the family.

“Home Connection” Component Requirement: The "Home Connection" component of the program consists of the prayer and work that is expected to be done at home, within the framework of the Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program. This will include setting apart a brief moment every day for prayer, and, before the following session, watching videos or movies from our St. Maurice Parish FORMED subscription (free for all parishioners).

Although the Home Connection component is not optional, it is not designed to be overly demanding, and it is meant to be flexible, practical, interesting and fun. The Home Connection component should be completed with the same parent that attends the in-person sessions. If you wish, many of its activities have been designed so that they can be done as a family!

Part of a Lifelong Journey of Faith

Registering your child to receive the sacrament of Confirmation is not just a registration for a class or one time event, but a special part of their lifelong journey in the Catholic faith. Receiving Confirmation is meant to be a celebration within the broader context of daily prayer, weekly Mass attendance (which is expected of all Catholics), yearly reception of the sacrament of Reconciliation and a continued commitment to growing in and practicing the faith.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to integrate into your family rhythm a weekly Mass time that will work for you, if this is not already something that you do. 

At St. Maurice, we would love to help you integrate our welcoming faith community!

Simply get in touch with the Coordinator to know how to get started!

How to Register? 3 Steps!

  1. Fill out the registration form online by clicking here. Please read all the questions beforehand, and ensure you are able to answer them all before attempting to fill it out.
  2. Send a digital copy or photo of your child’s baptismal certificate to the coordinator of the confirmation program at confirmation@stmauriceparish.com. If you do not have a copy of the Baptismal Certificate, immediately contact the parish where your child was baptized to have a copy mailed to you. Note: If your child was Baptized at St. Maurice and you can't find the Baptism certificate, email the coordinator, and he will be able to check the Baptism registry at the Parish.
  3. Complete the $60 payment online, by clicking here. Then, send the payment receipt to confirmation@stmauriceparish.com. The fee is necessary to cover the cost of resources and materials used throughout the program. (Note: If this fee is prohibitive, contact the coordinator to make arrangements for a reduced fee.)

Registration is complete once you receive an email from the coordinator indicating that all three steps have been finalized. It may take a few business days for the coordinator to get back to you.

Contact the Coordinator of the Program

For information on Sacrament of Confirmation Preparation Program at St. Maurice Parish, please contact the coordinator via email: confirmation@stmauriceparish.com