Email from 3/12/2023
The Archdiocese sent additional information pertaining to the Ceremony on Saturday, March 18.
They are instructing families to arrive 15 minutes than we originally expected; therefore, please arrive by 8:45 am, especially if you are concerned about parking and/or are traveling with individuals who may need extra assistance getting into the Cathedral. Rehearsal will begin promptly at 9:30 am. About 188 candidates will be confirmed.
Please consider participating in your child's sacrament by being a lector or serving on the altar. Let us know if you would like to assist. Unfortunately, candidates and sponsors cannot serve in this capacity for the ceremony.
Parking
Parking is limited to the following locations:
Cathedral Main Lot - 829 Asylum Avenue
Archdiocese of Hartford Lot - 134 Farmington Avenue
Webster Bank Lot - 108 Farmington Avenue
Ahern Funeral Home Lot - 180 Farmington Avenue
Consult this map to view the location of the available parking areas. You may also park on both sides of Farmington Avenue, but there is NO PARKING permitted in the Trinity Episcopal Church lot on 120 Sigourney Street -entrance from Farmington Avenue.
Knights of Columbus will be directing the parking lot traffic. Please exercise patience with these volunteers.
Seating
Candidates and sponsors will sit next to one another in designated reserved seating. We will direct you to the rows reserved for St. Margaret. Families and guests may sit in any pews not marked reserved. Reserved seating is for candidates and sponsors only. Please let us know if your sponsor has mobility issues so that the Archdiocese can accommodate him or her appropriately.
Photos
A professional photographer will take pictures of Confirmation candidates and sponsors immediately following the ceremony. Candidates and sponsors will be called up for pictures by row, from the back to the front of the Cathedral. Those who do not wish to have pictures taken are free to leave once the ceremony is over. Remember, care and respect are to be shown if taking photographs inside the Cathedral as to not impede the ceremony or block the view of others. No one will be permitted to stand behind the candidate during the anointing.
Additional Information
Enter the Cathedral from the back where we will have a table set up to hand out your saint name badge, which needs to be returned after the ceremony.
The required responses during the anointing are as follows: When the Bishop says, "Be sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit," candidate responds, "Amen." When the Bishop says, "Peace be with you," candidate responds, "And with your spirit."
Ceremony will be live streamed on the Cathedral of St. Joseph Facebook page.
After the ceremony, please return to our check-in table to return the name badges and pick up your Confirmation and Sponsor certificates and other material.
Other pertinent information, including recommended attire, can be found here. Please let us know if you have any questions.