Dear P7 Parents/Carers,
As you already know the children have been invited to a leavers ceremony and BBQ on Saturday 29th August. Today I met with Fr Lyons to discuss our plan for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We have decided, that on this same date, we would like to celebrate a ‘Service of Confirmation’ for each class. We recognise that this is not ideal but feel that this is our best opportunity to gather the P7 children before their busy Year 8 classes commence. We would very much like all the children to have made this important Sacrament before they officially leave our school. This would not be a full Confirmation Mass but rather a shorter service lasting approximately 30 minutes and would be celebrated by Fr Lyons himself in St Teresa’s Church.
Due to the current restrictions imposed by both the Department of Education and the Diocese regarding social distancing we will have to carry out three services on the 29th August, one for each class as follows:
- 11.00am- P7A Mrs Crutchley’s class
- 1.00pm- P7B Mr McSwiggan’s Class
- 3.00pm-P7C Mr Kennedy’s Class
Only the P7 child their parents and sponsor can attend the ceremony. Please ensure that you have chosen a sponsor who is available on that date. As outlined at the parents meeting in Term 1, Sponsors must be over 16 yrs. old and must be a practising Catholic.
We have allowed a 2-hour window between each ceremony so that after the Confirmation service you can join us for a leaver’s ceremony and prize giving in the School Canteen/Parish Centre. Here you will also enjoy refreshments from the BBQ organised by the Friends of St. Teresa’s.
We recognised that the children have had very little preparation in school for Confirmation. As a result, along with this letter, we have attached a ‘Confirmation Pack’ that will help your child understand the importance of this Sacrament and the symbolism behind it. We have also included lessons from the ‘Grow in Love’ scheme that teachers would have used to prepare the children in school. Please read these materials and discuss the content with your child. This will help to prepare them in some way for this important event.
The current regulations state that only one cantor is allowed to sing in the church. As a result, the music will be provided by Miss Mooney our school music coordinator, so the children do not need to learn hymns for the service.
The children do not need to wear their school uniform to Confirmation this year as we understand that you may have disposed of this already. However, we do ask that children come appropriately dressed for the occasion in smart casual wear. Those that have purchased the ‘Year 7 School Hoodie’ from Truly Fare can
bring this and wear it to the BBQ after the Confirmation Service is complete. The school will also provide a blessed ‘Holy Spirit’ pin on entry to the church as a memento of the occasion.
It is important that the children have selected an appropriate Confirmation Name which must be a Saint’s name. A confirmation card is required by the Parish Office. Please find attached the confirmation card outlining the information that we need. Please forward the information required on the card to your child’s class teacher via Seesaw as soon as possible so we can prepare these on your behalf. If you do not have access to Seesaw, please phone the school office on Tuesday 18th August to provide the information.
As we prepare the service in advance of the 29th August we may write out to you again with further details regarding seating positions etc. It may well be the case that you will be directed by staff as you enter the church. We look forward to sharing this very special day with you all.
Yours sincerely
Mr T. Rodgers
Principal