Varying fees for confirmation from parish to parish

[Sarah25]

I’m not sure about what you are discussing for children’s education and such, but I have to say I was extremely surprised to find out there was no fee for RCIA that I recently started. They just gave us a Catechism AND a Bible! I mean, obviously they aren’t hardback, but I know they weren’t a couple dollars either. And there are a lot of us in the class.

I also wanted to mention, not sure how it is in every parish, but I’ve been really surprised at the “offering” part of Mass… nothing is said about it. It’s just done. The church I grew up in, before the offering there was always a short speech about how we should give/tithe to the church basically to shame everyone into giving. And the funny thing is… I want to give more now than I ever did at my old church. Maybe everyone else feels the same since it’s not shoved down our throats and that’s why there’s enough money to subsidize free materials for the programs. But it may not be this way everywhere

 

[sckcd]

There’s a fee? I am going to start RCIA this week and I haven’t heard anything about a fee.

 

[sckcd]

I checked one parish in the city I grew up in. The first year of confirmation is $95, and the second year is $195. This is in a very poor city, too.

So you have to pay to be confirmed? Seriously? What is different about the 2nd year? I’m new to Catholicism so please enlighten me,

 

[KarenElissa]

There’s a fee? I am going to start RCIA this week and I haven’t heard anything about a fee.

It depends on the parish. I think it was $25 at mine to help cover the cost of books and supplies. My guess is if you have already talked to your parish and haven’t heard anything, you won’t have one.

So you have to pay to be confirmed? Seriously? What is different about the 2nd year? I’m new to Catholicism so please enlighten me,

You do not have to pay to be confirmed, there is NEVER a charge for any sacrament. What the cost is for is for preparation, classes, supplies, that kind of stuff. As for 2nd year, usually the classes for Sacraments, 1st Communion and Confirmation are two years, you have to have both years to be considered prepared for the Sacrament.

 

[sckcd]

Karen-
I am already a baptized Christian, will my 1st communion and confirmation be at the same time or how does that work? I know how the kids do it, but how does it work for adults? Thanks

 

[KarenElissa]

Karen-
I am already a baptized Christian, will my 1st communion and confirmation be at the same time or how does that work? I know how the kids do it, but how does it work for adults? Thanks

They will most likely be at the same time. What will usually happen is you will be in class for some time (how long depends on the parish and your readiness). Then you will go to confession right before the big day. Then you will be received into the Church, be confirmed and then receive 1st Communion. Occasionally the Bishop reserves the confirmation to himself (he is the ordinary minister of confirmation, but can allow you pastor to do so). If that is the case, everything else will happen, but you would most likely be confirmed whenever the bishop comes around to do the youth in your parish.

 

[puzzleannie]

So you have to pay to be confirmed? Seriously? What is different about the 2nd year? I’m new to Catholicism so please enlighten me,

repeat, repeat repeat there is NEVER a fee for sacraments of the Church.

There may be a fee, however, to cover costs associated with sacramental preparation. If you read through this and similar threads you will see that this varies from parish to parish and diocese to diocese, and ideally is covered by the parish through stewardship donations. But it is not unreasonable to expect parents or candidates to donate at least something toward costs of books, which are not cheap. In this parish Confirmation candidates received a textbook, catechism and bible, plus prayerbook and other sundry items, cost to parish for books and copies alone is $35, without any of the other incidental costs. Donations are accepted but not required, the average donation is $25.

 

[puzzleannie]

Karen-
I am already a baptized Christian, will my 1st communion and confirmation be at the same time or how does that work? I know how the kids do it, but how does it work for adults? Thanks

off topic, but ask your catechist or director, the timing of the sacrament depends on the needs of the candidate and the directives of the bishop, and is individual to your personal situation.

 

[DeaconsSon87]

I don’t see the point of any “sacramental fees”. I’ve always been taught that’s just a nice-sounding name for simony.

(side note: this is the only board I can think of that knows what simony is)