The Confirmation program at St. James is a year-long program and is typically completed during the teen’s sophomore year. Students wishing to receive the sacrament must have completed a full year of Religious Education during the year prior.
The program consists of:
- an initial parent-candidate meeting
- the Enrollment Ceremony (held during a weekend liturgy)
- a class team building activity
- eight classes
- an overnight retreat
- service requirements
- and involves connections with sponsors, sacramental buddies, and prayer partners.
The candidates’ preparation focuses on the Sacraments, freedom, spirituality, confirmation, prayer and service. The candidates must complete and interview with the Confirmation team and submit a letter of readiness to the Bishop.
The program runs from late summer through the spring. Confirmation is typically held either in April or May.
For more information, contact Julie Hagan at 655-4871 or stjyouth@twcny.rr.com
2012 Mission Trip July 8 to July 13 in Newark, NY
We will be working in the community to meet their needs. We will stay at church with other groups. There will be time for service, faith development, and social time with your friends. This is a great way to help others and have some fun this Summer!
The cost per person will be $150 per person. We are hoping to fundraise around $200 per person additionally (the total per person is $350).
There are only 16 spots available for this trip. To save your spot please submit a deposit of at least $50 to Julie by Thursday March 1st!
Find out more information about the organization we will be going through at http://www.groupweekofhope.com
2012 Race for the Cross
The Diocesan Youth rally will be held on March 3rd, 2012 at Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School in East Syracuse, NY from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The rally will feature live music from the Bob Rice Band who has previously performed at various Steubenvilles, NCYC and concert tours across the nation.
The MC and feature presenter wil be national speaker Ennie Hickman who will use his humor and insight to strengthen the Faith of everyone who attends.
Also there will be:
- Engaging workshops
- Inflatable games, prizes and more!
- Mass with Bishop Cunningham
- Grades 7-12
- Cost: $35. Includes lunch
The rally will again have the exciting Interactive Park in the second Bishop Grime’s gym as we did in previous years, more breakout sessions for youth and youth leaders and the fabulous pizza lunch with snacks as in years past and Mass and Adoration with Bishop Cunningham!
So you definitely do NOT want to be left behind for the Race for the Cross Diocesan Youth Rally 2012. For more information, contact Julie Hagan at 655-4871 or stjyouth@twcny.rr.com
Download a flyer here! (large file, may take a few minutes to load)
2012 Confirmation Candidates
You may have noticed the Red Ribbon with the envelopes in the hallway by the kitchen. These are the prayer pockets for our Confirmation Candidates. This is a place for all parishioners to drop any of our Candidates a note of prayer or well wishes as they continue on this journey towards the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Candidates will read these prayers once a month. You may sign your note or have it be anonymous, but please keep all notes positive.
If you have any questions about the Prayer Pockets or the Confirmation
Program, please contact Julie Hagan in the parish office 655-4871.
2012 Confirmation Candidates
Danielle Axelson, Mario Benedetti, Carter Biviano, Matt Bonavita, Hunter Burnett, Connor Carroll , Grace Cherny, Alex Downey, Lily Durkin, Samantha Fox, Sarah Franco, Hayley Frost, Haley Fry, Malone Gabor, Tyler Griffin, Joe Gugino, Jay Hahn, Garret Hansen, Kevin Hopsicker, Zantha Hourigan, McMillen Judge, Pat Karmis, Holly Keating, Glenna Kelehan, Dana Kiselica, Nick Kurucz, Ryan Lansing, Brad Lucas, Dominique Lyons, Sean Maliga, Rob McCarthy, Danielle Mevec, Maureen Milmoe, Abby Novak, Michael Nourse , Hannah O’Sullivan, Allissa Parella, Isabella Quattrone, Julia Raleigh, Billy Rankin, Colleen Stalder, Megan Stanford, Andrew Vogl, Meagan Wells, Abby Woltman, Jack Woltman, Andrew Ziemba
Confirmation Parent / Candidate meetings …
If you did not attend the meeting last Saturday, you need to the meeting Saturday (September 24th) at 6:00 pm in the Church Hall. You only need to attend this is you did not come last Saturday.
If you have not received your information in the mail and you are in 10th grade and attended Religious Education last year please contact Julie Hagan at the parish office 655-4871 or stjyouth@twcny.rr.com.
Confirmation Calendar at a Glance…
Please note that the date of Confirmation has not been set. Once it is coordinated with the Bishop’s Office, it will be on the calendar.
Confirmation 2011-2012
August 23, 2011
Dear Confirmation Candidates,
As summer begins to wind down and we look forward to what this year will bring I am hopeful that the prospect of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation brings you excitement and joy. This year of preparation for the Sacrament will hopefully be moving and faithful. I truly look forward to being on this journey with you.
A candidate is eligible to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation during their sophomore year if they are registered for and have participated in ongoing faith formation and have already received the Initiation Sacraments of Baptism and First Eucharist. These are Diocesan guidelines and if you are receiving this information you have met the necessary requirements to enter into the Confirmation program. Don’t forget to register for Religious Education at www.stjamescaz.com.
The confirmation program at St. James is completed in one year. The candidates participate in classes, a parish family event, a confirmation retreat, and service projects, along with completing other program components. Our first task is a Parent – Candidate Meeting. Two meetings are scheduled and I ask that both the candidate and a parent attend one of the sessions. The first meeting is Saturday September 17th from 6-7 pm, and the second is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th from 6-7 pm.
I have also developed a calendar for the year. We work very hard to try and not conflict with major events in the community or school. All events are mandatory with some flexibility given under certain circumstances. Please take a look at this calendar prior to the meeting and be ready to commit whole heartedly to this process. If looking at the calendar you see multiple or major conflicts please get in touch with me prior to the meeting. It is always helpful to figure out personal issues separately than at the large group gatherings.
Confirmation requires a great deal of commitment and dedication and it is my hope that our candidates and families will participate in this sacrament enthusiastically. Please complete the registration form and bring it with you to the meeting. If the candidate was not baptized at St. James Church, please bring a copy of their baptism certificate.
It is my hope that we can work together this year to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation and to make this process both enjoyable and enriching. Please contact me at any time with questions at 655-4871 or stjyouth@twcny.rr.com. I will keep each of you in my prayers as we enter into this process together!
Sincerely,
Julie Hagan
Coordinator of Youth Ministry & Confirmation