Step One – Enrol
When you’re ready to commit, complete the online registration form. But first, be aware of the requirements for Confirmation. Also, candidates who weren’t Baptized at St. Joseph Church will need to provide a copy of their Baptismal Certificate.
Step Two – Join an onboarding gathering
Parents and candidates need to join an onboarding gathering to learn more about preparing for Confirmation, to receive a workbook, begin preparing and get all questions answered. The session is expected to take 90 minutes. Parents should participate with their child. The final option for an onboarding is:
- Saturday, January 10th at 10:00am in the Columbus Hall
Step Three – Attend six youth group gatherings (Due May 20th)
Candidates will join six youth group gatherings. These happen on the first and third Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm to 8pm in the main church hall during October, November and January through May. Candidates unable to join on Tuesday evenings can join a youth group from a neighbouring church; they can use this form to verify their participation at another youth group.
Upcoming Compass evenings are:
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- Tuesday, February 17, 2026 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
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- Tuesday, March 3, 2026 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
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- Friday, March 6, 2026 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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- Tuesday, April 7, 2026 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
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- Tuesday, April 21, 2026 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
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- Tuesday, May 5, 2026 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
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- Tuesday, May 19, 2026 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Step Four – Participate in a Rite of Welcoming
Candidates are also expected to attend a Rite of Welcoming at the church during any Sunday Mass on: February 21st or 22nd, 2026. At this ritual candidates will be called up and presented to the Christian Community. In turn, the community will pray for those candidates preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation.
Step Five – Complete Homework (Due May 15th)
Candidates will join a Google Classroom and complete seven chapters from the ‘Chosen’ workbook.
Step Six – Complete Ten Mass Journals (Due May 15th)
At the onboarding, candidates receive a Mass Reflection Journal. Participate in ten different Sunday Masses and fill out one reflection at or after each Mass. Participation at Mass online doesn’t count. Completed Mass Reflection Journals can be given to the priest at church, handed in at Compass (youth group) or dropped off in the office mail slot. Candidates are welcome to participate at Mass in any Catholic church. School Masses and online Mass do not count. Candidates need to go to Mass. The second Mass Journals Book can be picked up at Compass or at a Sunday Mass: just see a priest.
Need another copy of the Mass Journal books? Find printable versions here!
Step Seven – Complete a Saint Project (Due March 23rd)
For this project, choose a saint you admire whose faith witness inspires you to live a life of greater faithfulness, someone who can be your model and spiritual companion for the rest of your life. You will take on the name of this saint as your Confirmation name! Choose a saint with qualities you admire. (i.e. courage in the face of difficulties, dedicated to a rich prayer life, helping the poor, etc.) Choosing a Saint is a prayerful process. Ask God to inspire you in your prayers and reflections as you discern the name of a Saint for this project.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Begin by finding Saints who share your first, middle or sometimes last names. Read the stories of these Saints and see if their lives attract you in some way.
- The Internet is an easy way to search for the life stories of Saints.
- Think about your interests. For example – if you are interested in music – look up the patron Saint of musicians.
- Research the Saint whose feast day is the same as your birthday.
- Talk to your parents and sponsor about their choices and their patron Saints.
If possible, choose a saint who is unique and special to you. It is important to learn about your chosen Saint and to share the life of your saint in your own words. Please do not just copy and paste the information from the internet.
Ready to begin? Get a copy of the Google Slides Template in the Google Classroom to complete and submit your Saint Project.
Step Eight – Select a Confirmation Sponsor (Due April 7th)
Please prayerfully consider whom you would like as your sponsor, noting that a Sponsor for Confirmation is a role model in living the faith for the candidate.
Obtain evidence of the sponsor having received the Sacrament of Confirmation so it can be uploaded as you fill out the form. This can be a copy of the sponsor’s Confirmation Certificate or the sponsor’s updated Sacramental Record. A copy of the sponsor’s updated Sacramental Record can be obtained from the Church at which he or she is Baptized even if it was in another country. Alternatively, we can accept a photo of the Sponsor’s Confirmation a written or a signed eyewitness testimony or a Confirmation or Baptism Certificate showing that the sponsor has taken on the role in the past.
Requirements for Confirmation Sponsors:
- Is at least 16 years of age;
- Is a practicing Catholic;
- Has received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation (Sponsor is required to provide a Copy of his/her Sacramental Record including Confirmation Date — this is obtained from the Parish where one was baptized)
- Leads a life in harmony with the Roman Catholic faith;
- Is not a parent of the candidate.
Use the progress QR code on the cover of the Confirmation Workbook to send information about a Sponsor.
Possible documents sponsors may use to demonstrate they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation:
If a potential Confirmation Sponsor was Baptized and Confirmed in a parish other than St. Joseph in Bowmanville, they will need to show they have have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. In most cases a Baptism Certificate is not enough, especially if there is no record of a Confirmation date. Here are examples of documents a potential sponsor may use to demonstrate they have received the Sacrament of Confirmation:
- Confirmation certificate
- Sacramental Record including date of Confirmation (a new copy of this can be obtained from the church of Baptism)
- Baptism Certificate indicating they have been a Godparent in the past
- Letter of attestation from someone for whom they are a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor for already
- Letter of attestation from a parent of a child for whom they are a Godparent to
- Letter from a priest indicating they have been a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor in the past
- Confirmation Certificate indicating they have been a Confirmation sponsor in the past
- Letter from their own Confirmation Sponsor attesting they witnessed the Confirmation
- Photograph of their Confirmation
- Photograph showing they have previously been a Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor
- Letter from an eyewitness testifying they witnessed the Confirmation
- Letter from an eyewitness testifying they witnessed the individual take on the roll of Godparent or Confirmation Sponsor in the past
- Marriage certificate from a Catholic Church in a nation where Confirmation is required for Marriage along with a letter from a priest of that nation clarifying that Confirmation was required for Marriage in that nation at the time the marriage was celebrated.
Both physical or electronic copies of these documents are accepted.
Candidates encountering difficulties in selecting or finding a sponsor should contact the pastor by April 7th.
Step Nine – Pick a Confirmation Time
Confirmations will be celebrated on Saturday June 13th (times to be confirmed (between 10am and 3pm)). There won’t be a rehearsal, but candidates will be invited to serve in different ministries at these celebrations. For those who are ready on time, there will be an opportunity to choose a Confirmation time on May 6th.
