Faith is a gift that we must care for and nourish at all times

In case of inclement weather, please check your emails, the parish website at www.sje1.org.For Monday evening sessions, the RE program will follow Fauquier County Schools’ After School Cancellations.

First Communion:

• First Communion Practice- Monday, May 8 (6-7pm) in the church

• First Communion - Saturday, May 13 - First Communion 11am.  All children must be "signed-in" by 10 am in Mercy Hall.

Confirmation 2023:   

• REMINDER: Please make sure that a copy of your Baptismal Certificate is on file with the RE Office..

Mark your calendars for these dates:

• This year St. John's has a new Sacramental Requirement: a Pre-Registration is needed for each upcoming Sacrament. Our Sacramental Record Keeper needs all Pre-Sacramental Registrations for Confirmation to be completed for her office ASAP.    Nothing would make her happier!    :)

• Here are the particulars:

  Go to:  https://sje1.org/sacraments/sacramental-forms

  Download the Form:  Download 8th Grader Confirmation Form (April 26th Candidates)

  Edit the Document and Upload to the link on the same page.

• Confirmation Practice with Sponsor (or parent if unavailable) will be held Tuesday, April 25th at 6pm starting in Mercy Hall. Please be prompt so we can finish in an hour. 
• Confirmation will be Wednesday, April 26. Candidates should be in Mercy Hall by 6pm. 
  • Robes will be "signed out" when you "sign in".

  • All candidates will process in to the church before 7pm so the Bishop an process in at 7pm.

  • A Reception will follow the Mass in Mercy Hall where pictures can be taken with the Bishop.

  • Robes must be "signed back in" prior to leaving the Reception as they are mailed out the next day.

Confirmation 2024:   

• REMINDER: Please make sure that a copy of your Baptismal Certificate is on file with the RE Office..
• Need to remember when paperwork is due or need a form? Just look to the links on the left.

Mark your calendars for these dates:

• Stations of the Cross - Attend the Stations of the Cross with your family or parent (not your class).  St. John’s Stations of the Cross are held Friday during Lent.  Please check the bulletin for times.  Once the Stations of the Cross are completed, students are asked to sign the Red Confirmation Binder that can be found in the vestibule of the church. The remaining Fridays in Lent are March 17th, March 24th, March 31st, & Good Friday April 7th.

• Parent Interviews were due by March 1st - please turn in to the RE Office.

Need Help Picking a Sponsor?

What are Sponsors?

Sponsors are witnesses to the Catholic faith who will pledge support of those who are to be baptized into the faith or who are seeking full membership into the Church through the sacrament of Confirmation.

What do Sponsors do and what are the Guidelines for picking one?

The Sponsor is to see that the person confirmed in the faith of the Catholic Church acts as a true witness to Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations connected with this membership.

They must provide a Sponsor Certificate. They MUST be a practicing Catholic. The Sponsor should contact the Church where he/she is currently registered to request a Sponsor Certificate.

A parent may NOT be a sponsor.

Please note, a lapsed Catholic CANNOT serve as a Sponsor.

A Catholic married outside the church may NOT be a sponsor for Confirmation.

Again, a Sponsor MUST be a practicing Catholic, MUST be up-to-date on all his/her sacraments, MUST be at least 16 years of age, MUST attend Mass weekly,  and if married, must be married in the Catholic Church.

Help shape the Church's Future

Do you want to do a good deed? Teach the young!
Do you want to perform a holy act? Teach the young!
Do you want to do a holy thing? Teach the young!
Truly, now and for the future, among holy things, this is the holiest.                                           ~ Saint John Bosco                     

Serving as a classroom assistant or catechist is a wonderful opportunity to build up the Church by guiding children and young people on their faith-journey.

If you're interested in volunteering, with children in any capacity, you must first become fully compliant with the Diocese of Arlington through their Office of Protection of Children and Young People (OPCYP). St. John's Office Manager, Rosemary Coakley, is our Liasion for OPCYP. Her contact info is [email protected] or (540)347-2922 x202.

There are two parts involved with becoming compliant:

1. First, all must have a background check. Here are the links.
   https://secure4.arlingtondiocese.org/OPCYP_Application/Volunteer_Home.aspx  The first form is the CPS form.  It will need to be copied back to back and notarized and returned to Rosemary in the Parish Office.  Rosemary is a notary if you need her to help.  Just bring your license and please call ahead so she can make sure to be available. 
2. Second, all are required to attend a VIRTUS class which requires signing up ahead of time. Here is the link for the class:  www.virtus.org    Click on "First Time Registrant - Diocese of Arlington".  

If you have any questions, please contact our OPCYP Liasion, Rosemary Coakley. 

Thanks so much for volunteering at St. John's!

To volunteer as a classroom assistant or catechist, please email Sherin Murphy, at [email protected] or Stacy Byrne at [email protected]