FAQs about a candidate's letter to Archbishop Thompson
Since a candidate's letter is meant to address each young person’s journey and preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, the letter must be in the form of a letter; not a “form letter” or question and answer sheet.
If they are not in the form of a letter, the archbishop will insist that they be rewritten. This letter is meant to be more than just a statement from the young person asking for the sacrament.
The candidate's letter is to reflect on their life in Christ, considering what they have learned through their lessons, responding to the focused prompts provided about the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sacred Scripture, sacred Tradition, and Catholic Social Teaching.
Candidates are encouraged to make use of the prompts they have prepared in Sections 1 through 3 and are free to make use of these resources as they prepare their letters.
The letter must answer the following questions: 1. What does Confirmation mean to me? Why am I choosing to be confirmed? 2. What saint's name did I choose and why? 3. Whom did I choose for my sponsor and why? 4. What did I do for my service hours? What did I learn/gain from the experience?
The candidate's letter to Archbishop Thompson must include and reflect the following details:
must have an introduction
must be in the form of a letter; not a “form letter” or question and answer sheet
must be in the form of a narrative style and include the date prepared, appropriate greeting and salutation, and is to be signed by the candidate in black ink
must respond to the prompts provided
must not exceed 2 pages, 14 font, double-spaced
must be typed and received in PDF format by September 14. Please email file to f3@myparishfamily.church