Letter to the Bishop

Due Date: Monday, January 28, 2008

Each candidate is required to write a formal letter to the confirming bishop of the diocese, prior to Confirmation. A sample is in this packet.

The contents of the letter should include the following information:

* Introduce yourself. Tell something about your family, your background.
*Request the sacrament. Give several reasons why you would like to be confirmed.
*Explain how you have prepared for the sacrament. It is important that you tell about specific parts of your preparation: your prayer life, your celebration of the other sacraments, your service for others exercised at home and within the parish, and so on.
*Tell how you will continue to carry out your life of service to God and others through the power of the Spirit. Tell how you plan to make your Confirmation in the faith real and alive in the future.

This is a formal and important letter that they are writing. It serves as your teen’s request for full initiation into our community. It should be written thoughtfully and be respectful in tone. This letter should be typed and checked for spelling and grammar. If your teen does not have access to a computer, please neatly write the letter by hand. Bishop Kane does read each letter. The bishop uses the letters as part of his homily. Please make sure the letters are appropriate in content and appearance and deliver them to the Youth Ministry office by the above due date. Please do not be late.


AN EXAMPLE LETTER TO THE BISHOP:

Susan Smith
St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry
8th Grade Confirmation Class 2008


Dear Bishop Kane,
My name is Susan Smith. I am formally requesting to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Gurnee.

I am thirteen years old and I go to Woodland Middle School. I am the youngest of four children. My oldest sister Karen is in college and my two brothers go to Warren High School. My dad is in the Navy and my mom is a substitute teacher.

I asked my grandma to be my sponsor. She is always really nice to me and I love her very much. She calls me “her little cookie” because she says I can always look on the bright side of things. My grandma is a big Cubs fan and she watches them play on the television all the time. She goes to Mass everyday even though she doesn’t have to. She told me that when she starts off each day with God it makes the rest of the day seem special. She is very holy and she talks about God all the time. She misses my grandpa who died last year but she told me that he is helping Jesus get things ready for her when she goes to heaven. She even prays at McDonalds when she eats there.

I chose Joan of Arc for my Confirmation name. My grandma’s name is Joan and my dad is in the Navy. She is the patron saint of the members of the military. She was a really great soldier and God gave her many special gifts. I thought she is a good person for me to look up to as a role model. I am looking forward to my Confirmation day.

Yours Respectfully,
Susan Smith