St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church

CCD

We welcome you and your child to our CCD program (Confreternity of Chrisitan Doctrine). We hope to partner with you to provide the best possible religious education program.

Parents must regard their children as children of God and respect them as human persons. Sowing themselves obedient to the will of the Father in Heaven, they educate their children to fulfill God's law.
Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children, We are here to help, aid, and assist you in this responsibility.

St. Vincent Parish Catechetical Program is a Religious Education Program commonly known as CCD, short for Confraternity of Chirstian Doctrine.  St. Vincent Ferrer Parish offers religious education classes in both English and Spanish curriculum.

Catechesis is about conversion and formation.  In the words of Vatican II's Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops in the Church (#14), the purpose of catechesis is to make a person's faith "become living, conscious, and active."

Parents' involvement and commitment to support the child throughout the catechetical process and afterward is an integral part of the child's faith formation.  This necessitates the Christian nature of the family in praying together, celebrating together, creating a spiritual environment in the home, and reconciliation within the family. (The Christian Family in the Modern World)

Ritual involvement of parents is also vital.  They are the first teachers of their child in the faith, as such should serve in that role through their participation in the sacramental life of the church.



Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation

At St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, Confirmation is a program intended for the high school students.  The period of preparation of the Sacrament of Confirmation is two years.

Service hours are a crucial part of the preparation for Confirmation, such that candidates are to complete a minimum of forty (40) hours of service to the CCD and parish community within the two years of their participation in the Confirmation Program.

Students in the 9^th grade start the Year 1 Confirmation Program.
During this year, for the youth preparing to enroll as a candidate for the sacrament, the following is required:

• attendance at all three sessions of parent classes with the parent(s) of guardian to provide basic catechesis on the sacrament and outline the requirements of being a candidate for the sacrament
• completion of the registration form to become a candidate for the sacrament
• providing the Office of Religious Education with a copy of on'e Baptismal certificate
• beginning a period of service as an extension of one's baptismal commitment (to complete 20 service hours)
• a personal prayer life
• participation in the Rite of Welcoming and Affirmation to be held at the 2:00 PM Sunday Mass
• participation in the liturgical and communal life of the church
• a personal desire to be confirmed and a conscientious participation in the preparatory process to fulfill the necessary requirements
• interview with the director of Religious Education

• consider and search the life of the saint whose name he/she chooses to take in the Sacrament of Confirmation and whose virtues the candidate chooses to emulate
• select a sponsor who is a confirmed practicing catholic, and who bears witness to the gospel in the child's daily life
• meet with the sponsor to discuss the Catholic-Christian life

In addition to the formal catechesis for the sacrament, the candidates will participate in:

• a day of retreat as preparation for the sacrament
• the communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
• an evening of reflection (sponsor should also attend)