​"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
Timothy 4:12

 We are inviting applications from young people in years 7-13 who would like to join the 2026 confirmation programme. With Baptism and Eucharist, the sacrament of Confirmation completes the process of our becoming full members of the Church. In the sacrament we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the grace Our Lord Jesus Christ won for us on the Cross which give us the help we need to live our lives as Christians. We aim to provide an apprenticeship in adult Christian living through worshipping, serving, giving and joining with other young people in our parish communities.


The programme is open to all young Catholics in the Whitehaven, Cleator Moor, Frizington, Egremont and Seascale areas who have made their First Holy Communion and are serious about deepening their faith. Sessions will be based at St Mary’s Priory, Cleator in the Parish Rooms on Thursday evenings from 6:30pm – 7:30pm. Our parent and candidate information meeting will be on Thursday 12th March at 6:30pm with the first session for candidates on Thursday 19th March at 6:30pm.
To express your interest in joining the programme please complete an application form and return it to your Parish Priest as soon as possible. Forms can be collected from your Parish Priest or the chaplaincy at St Benedict’s High School.

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Location: St Mary’s Cleator, Parish Rooms (in the Priory)
Time: All Thursday evenings 6:30 - 7:30pm, except for session 8 Reconciliation which will finish at 8:00pm.

Session     Date      Activity

1                  12th      March Parent and candidate meeting
2                 19th      March Introduction to the Programme
3                 26th     March Prayer and Sacraments

30th March - 10th April   Easter

4                 16th     April Mary and the Saints - Choosing a confirmation name
5                 23rd    April Eucharist
6                 30th    April The Mass
7                 14th     May Gifts of the Holy Spirit
8                 21st     May Reconciliation (Confession)

25th - 29th May   Half Term

9                 11th     June From disciples to apostles - active apostleship
10               18th    June Living out our vocation 
11                25th   June Rehearsal
12               9th     July (Thur) Confirmation Mass at St Begh’s, Whitehaven. 6:00pm
13               16th    July Celebration event

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​CONFIRMATION PROGRAMME EXPECTATIONS

​SPIRITUAL LIFE
You are old enough now to take responsibility for your own spiritual life. Pray each morning when you wake up and each evening before you go to bed. Attend Mass every Sunday or Saturday night. Attend Confession regularly.

​POSITIVITY
Remember that you are an
ambassador for Christ and His
Church and, as such, your actions
and words provide either a good or
bad example.
 
RESPECT
Show respect for everyone you come
in contact with, by your actions and
your words. Please be respectful
when discussing sensitive content,
and when in religious spaces.
 
LANGUAGE
be mindful of the language you are
using. Inappropriate language will
not be tolerated especially
towards one another, or in
religious spaces.

​SUBSTANCES
No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco use on
premises or during our sessions. If
you are caught with any of these
substances you will be removed from
the programme.
 
INTERACTIONS
Public displays of affection while
attending the programme are
inappropriate. This detracts from
our purpose as we meet together.
Youth leaders will model
appropriate behaviour.
​
RULE OF THREE
Students and leaders should always
be in an open area with at least two
other people. Do not disappear into
vacant rooms or hallways. We have a
duty of care whilst you are under our
supervision a duty we cannot fulfil
that duty if you wander off to another
part of the site.

​MOBILE PHONES
Switched off and put away.

Service
As part of the course would like you to think about how you can serve others within your church. This is called ‘home ministry’. Think about your skills and interests and how these can be used to help build God’s kingdom, discuss it with your parents or someone you trust and most importantly pray about it.

Here are some examples for you to think about:

• Welcoming team
• Music
• Creative tech, eg producing online content
• Reading
• Server
• Cleaner
• Grounds maintenance
• Children’s liturgy - helper
• After Mass refreshments