This page is devoted to bringing 8th, 9th and 10th graders up to speed on current Confirmation requirements.

Religious Education Office St. James of the Marches Church 31 Saint James Place, Totowa, New Jersey 07512 Office: 973-790-4860    Fax: 973-790-4644 Email- stjamesreled@optonline.net

 
Dear Parents/Guardians and Confirmation Candidates,
 
It is a pleasure to welcome you into the Confirmation process here at St. James of the Marches Catholic Community.  What an exciting year this will be for you and your family! God tells us in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4: “ We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father, knowing, brothers loved by God, how you were chosen”.
 
As volunteer teachers, we give thanks to God for you as parents for teaching the faith to your children. We are praying for you to grow in your faith, hope, and love for God.
 
Students, you are about to begin a process of deeper initiation into your Christian faith.  You have already received God's life and Spirit through the Sacrament of Baptism. You have also received the nourishment of his Body and Blood in the Eucharist. When you were baptized, you became a part of a faith community, the family of God. From that moment on God claimed you as His own.  The preparation that you are receiving should help you come to a deeper and more profound understanding of the Christian commitment you are being called to fulfill.
 
To our 9 ^th grade students – this is a 2 year program where we will be working together with you, by encouraging and guiding you, to prepare you in accepting your responsibility for your faith and understanding that it is a time to reflect on how you can strengthen your relationship with God and better yourselves as Christians.
 
To our returning 10 ^th grade students – you have already started your journey and in just a few short months, you will receive the sacrament of Confirmation!  The desire to be confirmed as an adult member of the Catholic Church will be demonstrated through how you live out your faith.
 
The following guidelines are ways the 9^th and 10^th grade students will demonstrate that desire for Confirmation.
 
Baptismal Certificate: Students not baptized at St. James of the Marches, need to provide a copy of their Baptismal Certificate.
 
First Communion Certificate: Students who have not received First Communion at St. James of the Marches, need to provide a copy of their First Communion Certificate.
 
Class Attendance: Students must attend all classes and participate in the discussions and activities. Only two legitimate class absences (illness, special family events) will be allowed per year. One of the teachers must be contacted before class when the student will be absent. If your young adult misses a class, he/she is responsible for making up the lesson.
 
Mass Attendance: Students must attend Mass on the weekends and Holy Days. It is very important that the Confirmands join the St. James of the Marches community in practicing their Catholic faith.  If you are away and can’t attend Mass at St. James, you are required to attend another Church and have the Parish Priest sign one of their bulletins.  You should bring the bulletin to class and give to your catechist teacher. If you are sick or have a family emergency and couldn’t attend Mass, you must contact the Religious Education Office and leave a message why you could not attend Mass.
 
 
Retreat: There will be a retreat each year before the Confirmation ceremony. The student must attend the retreat.
 
Community Service: Thirty (30) community service hours and Twenty (20) Parish hours are required to be served from 9 ^th grade up until Confirmation. All hours must be completed before 10 ^th grade Confirmation takes place. Many hours will be offered through activities organized by the Confirmation class at St. James of the Marches. Outside activities should be recorded on forms available from the Religious Education Office or Catechist Teacher.
 
Sponsor: Each student will select a person to sponsor him or her throughout the Confirmation process. This person must be a Confirmed, practicing Catholic over the age of 16 and not the young adult’s parents. If the sponsor is not a member of St. James of the Marches, a "Priest’s Verification of Confirmation Sponsor" form must be completed. The forms are available from the Religious Education Office or Catechist teacher.
 
Confirmation Test: Students are required to learn Confirmation material and prayers. Tests will be administered periodically. Each student is required to pass each test.
 
Interview: Each student will be interviewed by the DRE and/or Father before Confirmation.
 
Saint Name: Each student will select a saint name. They will need to research the saint and write a paper about it. Students will be encouraged to share their saint paper to the class throughout the second year of class.
 
Prayer: Students are to pray daily for the guidance of the Holy Spirit during the period of preparation for themselves and their class. Each confirmand will also have a prayer partner from our parish that will also be praying for them.
 
Responsible: Students are to be more responsible in their family, church and community.
 
Please read carefully the material enclosed.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Religious Education Office.  May God bless all of us as we go through this amazing journey together!
 
 
Yours in Christ,
 
Mrs. DiPasquale
 
 
Kathryn DiPasquale
Confirmation Religious Education Teacher
St. James of the Marches
973-345-1040 home
973-727-9106 cell
gdkdcdmd@optonline.net
 

	Religious Education Office St. James of the Marches Church 31 Saint James Place, Totowa, New Jersey 07512 Office: 973-790-4860    Fax: 973-790-4644

 
 
9^th & 10^th Grade Confirmation Preparation Classes
 
Tuesdays 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
 

September 12	December 5	March 6
September 26	December 19	March 20
October 10	January 9	April 10
October 24	January 23	April 24
November 7	February 6	May 8
November 21	February 20	May 22

 
 
Mandatory Parent & Student Meetings
10 ^th Grade - Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30 PM in School Hall
9 ^th Grade – Tuesday, October 10 at 7:30 PM in School Hall
 
Mandatory Retreat for 9^th and 10^th Grades
Saturday, March 3 & Sunday, March 4
 
9^th Grade Right of Acceptance
Mandatory - Students & Sponsors Must Attend
Sunday, March 18 ^th at the 10:15 AM Mass
 
10^th Grade Rite of Candidacy
Mandatory - Students & Sponsors Must Attend
Sunday, March 18 ^th at the 12:00 PM Mass
 
10^th Grade Confirmation
Tuesday, May 8 ^th – Confirmation Interview (Students)
Friday, May 18 ^th – Rehearsal in Church (6:00 PM – students & sponsors)
Sunday, May 20 ^th – Confirmation Day (12:00 PM Mass)
 
MANDATORY - Weekly Masses & Other Days Listed Below
When you attend Mass, all students must sign the appropriate Sign-In sheet in the Sacristy.
If you do not sign-in, you will not get credit for attending Mass.
 

Wednesday, November 1	All Saints Day
Sunday, December 3	First Sunday of Advent
Friday, December 8	Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Monday, December 25	Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas Day)
Monday, January 1	Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Wednesday, February 14	Ash Wednesday
March – April	Attend 2 of the Stations of the Cross during Lent
Sunday, March 25	Palm Sunday
March 29-31	Easter Triduum Participation
Sunday, April 1	Easter Sunday
Thursday, May 10	Ascension