Dear Fr Joe,

We write to you as a deeply disappointed group of parents of children living in the Parish of Celbridge and Straffan. Our children are currently in 6th class in Primary school and were looking forward to experiencing one of the most important religious and cultural event in their lives this year, making their Confirmation, however it seems that this will not be the case. 

Children are disappointed because they understood they would be Confirmed this year, they’ve done the preparation, and also had picked their Names and in January 2022 are being told that they might now not be allowed to make their Confirmations until May 2023, despite other neighbouring Parishes conducting their confirmations? Is this just in our Parish?

We were informed this month that confirmation is now a 2 year course. We feel that the lack of communication conveying this to parents is terrible. If that is the case then that should have been communicated at the beginning of the school year. Surely this 2 year preparation could begin in 5th class and the children could be confirmed in 6th? We feel that due to the lack of communication and late notification of this change, the current 6th class should be allowed to received their Confirmation this year. Moving forward, parents, children and the school should all be informed at the beginning of the preparation.

The past two years have been a time of great uncertainty for them. The pattern of their normal lives was completely disrupted. Sanctuaries such as schools, churches and sport clubs became places of danger. After two long years it feels like finally things are turning a corner and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Schools and other activities for young people have re opened, yet it feels like the Celbridge and Straffan Parish is telling them they are still not welcome in their church

The aim of this letter is to please consider your support to enable them to complete their Confirmation programs this year.

Kind wishes

Parents of the 6th class children