May 20, 2008  

Dear St. Mary’s School Parents,

In September your son or daughter will be entering the Fifth Grade at St. Mary School.  In the past that would be the time that your son or daughter would begin preparing to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation.  Confirmation up to now has been celebrated in the fall of sixth grade.

For some time the Diocese of Rockville Centre has been reviewing the preparation process for those who will be celebrating the sacrament of Confirmation. The revised process necessitates a change in the grade that St. Mary’s celebrates Confirmation, since the Office of Faith Formation is asking for a TWO YEAR process.  Beginning with your child’s class, Confirmation will be celebrated in the fall of SEVENTH GRADE.  

At the parent meetings on Tuesday, 5/20 and Thursday, 5/22 at 7:30pm in the Church I will be handing out an outline of the Confirmation Process as well as a copy of the Covenant. On SATURDAY, MAY 31st there will be a PRAYER SERVICE for all those who are entering the Fifth Grade in September.  At that Prayer Service the candidates and parents will be blest and sign the Covenant. The times of the Prayer Service are 9:30 AM or 11:00 AM. You may come to the one that best fits your schedule.  There will be a MAKE UP Prayer Service on TUESDAY, JUNE 10th.

When your son or daughter enters the Sixth Grade, they will begin what is described as the “immediate” preparation part of the process. There will be THREE Gatherings for the parents and the Confirmation candidates.  During the Easter season the candidates participate in gatherings that cover the material found in the Confirmation book. These gatherings are held on TUESDAY or WEDNESDAY afternoon from 4:30 PM until 5:30 PM in our school.  There will be a Confirmation Retreat as well as the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the celebration of Confirmation in the fall of 2010. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call and I will do my best to answer them.

I hope to see you at one of the parent meetings this week as well as on SATURDAY, MAY 31st at either the 9:30 AM or 11:00 AM Prayer Service in the Auditorium.  May the abundant grace and peace of the Lord fill you and your loved ones!

Sincerely yours in the peace of Christ,

Reverend Steven J. Peterson                            Claire Moule
Pastor                                                             Catechetical Leader