Faith Formation Confirmation Preparation Handbook. The Sacrament of Confirmation

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1 Faith Formation Confirmation Preparation Handbook The Sacrament of Confirmation The sacraments of Christian initiation Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist lay the foundations of every Christian life. 1 Although each of these sacraments brings us a unique kind of grace, they are closely united and are all necessary for our complete initiation into the Church. In Baptism, our lives were radically changed: our sins were forgiven, we became a part of God s family the Church, and we received sanctifying grace God s life within us. The Sacrament of Confirmation completes the grace we received at baptism. Jesus promised His Apostles that He would send them His Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and then went forth to lay hands on those who had been baptized to share with them the gift of the Holy Spirit. This tradition is seen as the origin of the Sacrament of Confirmation. 2 Therefore, this Sacrament gives us a share in the grace of Pentecost. At the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, the bishop lays his hands on the heads of those being confirmed, anoints them with a sacred chrism, and says, Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The Sacrament of Confirmation brings about the following effects in our lives: 3 It deepens our identity as children of God It unites us more firmly to Christ It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us It unites us more perfectly with the Church It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross St. Maximilian Kolbe Requirements for Confirmation Students enrolled in the Faith Formation program at St. Maximilian Kolbe who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation must meet the following requirements. If conflicts arise, please contact Youth Minister Michelle Davis at Ext: 230, , or michelle.davis@delanocatholic.com to discuss further options for fulfilling these requirements. 9 th & 10 th Grade 1. Attend Mass every Sunday Page 1 2. Attend class regularly Page 2 3. Participate in service projects Page 2 4. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent/Lent Page 2 5. Attend Confirmation Retreat both in 9 th & 10 th grade year Page 2 6. Attend two faith events or 1 Summer Camp Page 3 7. Saint, Sponsor, & Interview Page 4 1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, See Catechism of the Catholic Church 1288 and Acts 8: Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1303.

2 Mass Attendance Policy The Eucharist is at the center of our lives as Catholics. At Mass, we truly receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In His great love, He desires to share His life with us. In heaven we will be united with God for all eternity. The Eucharist is truly a taste of heaven. Out of love, the Catholic Church requires that the faithful participate in the Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. In doing this, we are observing the third commandment, which instructs us to keep holy the Lord s Day. The Church asks this commitment of us because she knows that we will be living life to the fullest if our lives are centered on the Mass. The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants). Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin. 1 Mass attendance on Sundays (Saturday evenings) and on Holy Days of Obligation is therefore required for all students preparing for Confirmation, as it is required for all Catholics. Each week, students are required to fill out a Mass attendance sheet (available on our website: Click Here. If a pattern of missing Mass is observed, a meeting will be arranged with the student and the parent(s) to assess the candidate s participation in the Confirmation preparation program. Regular, faithful Mass attendance is critical to the success of each student in their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We deeply appreciate each family s support with this policy. Mass times for area churches can be found online at (Locations- Parishes) if your schedule conflicts with the Mass times here at St. Maximilian Kolbe. 1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, Holy Days of Obligation: School Year *(Holy Days of Obligation not on Saturday/Sunday; Check Bulletin/Website for any updates) 2015: Aug 15 Not a Holy Day of Obligation this year. Nov 1: All Saints Day (Sat) 5pm (SJ) & (Sun) 8am & 10:30am (SP) *Dec 8 (Tues): Immaculate Conception (Tues) 8:30am (SP) & 7pm (SP) *Dec (Thurs-Fri): Christmas (Thurs) 5pm (SP) 10:30pm (SJ) or (Fri) 8am (SJ) 10:30am (SP) 2016: *Dec 31-Jan 1 (Thurs-Fri): Mary, Mother of God (Thurs) 5pm (SJ) (Fri) 8am & 10:30am (SP) 1 P age

3 Class Attendance Policy Because we have a limited number of teaching sessions, scheduled events, and service projects, attendance is required for all students registered in the St. Maximilian Kolbe Confirmation preparation program. Class begins at 6:20 pm and ends at 7:40 pm. A class schedule with dates are available upon request. Missing Class: If a student has more than two unexcused absences during the year, a meeting will be arranged with the family to assess the candidate s desire to continue with their formation process. Family emergencies, illness, and other circumstances beyond your control can arise during the year. Please contact Youth Minister to discuss any potential conflicts with the class schedule. Missing Service Projects and Events: In the event of a scheduling conflict with a service project or event arises, a replacement event or project can usually be arranged with proper notification. Contact Youth Minister to discuss scheduling conflicts prior to event. Service Projects 9 th Grade: Sandwich serving St. Paul/Minneapolis Community: Wednesday, December 2 nd 2. Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis serving Breakfast: Sunday, January 10 th 7-11:30am 3. Cana Dinner at Parish on Saturday, February 20 th 10 th Grade: Sandwich serving St. Paul/Minneapolis Community: Wednesday, December 2 nd 2. Holiday Breakfast at Parish Sunday, December 20 th 7am-1pm 3. Lenten Fish Fry for Community: Friday, March 4 th Possible Make-Ups: 1. Make-Up for 9 th Grade Lenten Fish Fry at Parish: Friday, March 4 th 2. Make-Up for 10 th Grade Cana Dinner at Parish on Saturday, February 20 th Important Dates Sacramental Fee is Preparation Fee for both 9 th & 10 th Grade students that was on registration form and covers expense of Retreats, Speakers, etc Due January 6 th, 2016 Confirmation Retreat 9 th Grade: Saturday, October 24 th, 2015 from 8am-10:30pm Confirmation Retreat 10 th Grade: Friday, January 29 th Depart 7pm-Sunday, January 31 st, 2016 St. Maximilian Kolbe Confirmation Rite of Sending: Sunday, April 10 th, 10:30am Mass at St. Peter s Church with reception following Confirmation: Sunday, April 17 th, 2pm Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul 2 P age

4 Faith Events The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that those preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation should develop a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community (CCC 1309). Weekly classes, as well as other events at St. Maximilian Kolbe, help students enter more deeply into the parish community. In order to expose our students to the universality of the Church, it is necessary that they participate in events with other parishes and communities. During the school year, each student is asked to attend two different faith events. Please choose one event that takes place here at St. Maximilian Kolbe, and one event that takes place elsewhere or 1 Summer Camp. St. Maximilian Kolbe Faith Formation will organize a variety of faith events, including, but not limited to those listed below. Contact Youth Minister prior to event to present other options and preapproval. Choose 1 from each side for a TOTAL of 2 Faith Events OR 1 Summer Camp CHOOSE ONE of the following HERE: Rosary before Mass Spend 30 minutes before Mass on a Saturday or Sunday Mass with fellow parishioners praying the rosary. (Ie: arrive at 4:30pm-Saturday or 7:30am or 10am- Sunday). Eucharistic Exposition (Adoration) Spend a total of one hour in Adoration with Our Lord. Adoration is available on Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. through Thursday 8:00 a.m. The Adoration Chapel is located in the Parish Office building, off the rear parking lot, door #3. You may come for one hour at a time, or a total of one hour over the course of a couple weeks. Also available on Friday s at St. Peter s Church from 9:30am- 2pm with Benediction at 2pm. CHOOSE ONE of the following AWAY: Lifeline LIFELINEs are exciting Saturday night events for students in grades Each Lifeline night includes great music, dynamic speakers, and a vibrant Mass. They are put on by NET Ministries (National Evangelization Teams) and are held at the NET Center in West St. Paul. Depart St. Maximilian Kolbe School 3:30pm & Return 10:30pm October 3, 2015 November 7, 2015: Tickets Required December 5, 2015: Tickets Required January 9, 2016 February 6, 2016 March 5, 2016 April 2, 2016 May 7, 2016 OR 1 Summer Camp/Program Extreme Faith Camp: June 11 th -17 th, 2016 Steubenville On the Lake July 21 st -25 th, 2016 Summer Stretch : June 28, 29, 30, July 6, 7, 13, 2016 Learn About the Catholic FAITH! 3 P age

5 Information for 10 th Grade Confirmation Saint The 10 th Grade Confirmation students are asked to choose a Confirmation Saint. The tradition of choosing a patron Saint and using this Saint s name when being confirmed is a beautiful tradition. It is also acceptable to be confirmed using one s baptismal name. However, many students choose a Saint whom they admire to be their Confirmation Saint. Each 10th grade student is asked to write a simple, one-page reflection paper on why he/she has chosen this particular Saint. It would be appropriate to include a few pieces of information about the life of this Saint and what your son/daughter can learn and imitate from this Saint s life. A handout will be given to help students prepare this reflection. The reflection paper is due by Wednesday, January 27 th. Confirmation Sponsor The 10 th Grade Confirmation students are asked to choose a Confirmation Sponsor. Please see the flyer How to Choose a Confirmation Sponsor for more information. Sponsors are to be chosen by Wednesday, November 4 th. Each Sponsor will be given a Sponsor Guide to help guide them in their role. Interview The 10 th Grade Confirmation students will have an individual interview with Father Nathan to further prepare for their Confirmation Sacrament. Notification of these interviews will be communicated with parents prior to interview. Approximately a month prior to Confirmation. Scheduling will be made with Connie, our parish secretary and be scheduled for 15 min. More details to come via . 4 P a g e