How do I apply?

In the Guildford Catholic parishes we expect the young person to fill in their own application form, as this is part of their taking responsibility for their own faith journey. Applications open from September of every year. Applications are closed for 2012.

 

What does the programme involve?

The preparation consists of several sessions, after which the young person makes a commitment to the course and to the group. The sessions run on Friday evenings, 6-8pm in St Joseph's Church Hall, as part of GYM. You can download details of the 2012 Confirmation programme here.

 

Why is the Confirmation preparation part of GYM?

For the first time last year, the confirmation programme took place as part of the normal Friday night GYM sessions, rather than as a separate programme independent of our youth ministry, as it has been in the past.

 

So why did we do this?

• So that confirmation can become a step on a continuous journey of faith development for young people, rather than the beginning and end of their faith journey as teenagers.

• So that the young people who come to GYM regularly who have already been confirmed can help evangelise by participating in small group discussion and be examples through their personal witness and commitment to their own faith.

• Confirmation being part of GYM means that the sessions have moved from a school room atmosphere to an engaging and alive atmosphere

 

Did it work?

Yes!

All 50 condidates were engaged through out feeling confident to ask questions, engage in discussion and share their faith in their small groups. A number that have continued to develop their faith journey by attending GYM, coming to our summer camp DAMASCUS & serving the Church at Mass. But also some have chosen to pass on their faith by becoming youth leaders at jGYM.
A great success!

 

Videos

Fr Aaron Spinelli (former parish Priest of Guildford) reflects on the Confirmation Programme in the Guildford Cluster.

A personal testimony from one of our Confirmation candidates from 2011.