Confirmation Survival Guide. What every Confirmandi and Parent should know about Confirmation

Transcription

1 Confirmation Survival Guide What every Confirmandi and Parent should know about Confirmation St Bartholomew Catholic Church 3/13/2014

2 Table of Contents: Letter to Confirmandi..2 Note to Parents...3 Say Yes Inspirational Poem Faith Summary Confirmation Candidate s Objectives 6 Role of Parents 7 Role of Sponsors. 8 Pastoral Questions.9 Confirmation Study Sheet...11 Service Hour Log Sheet Service Hour Opportunities

3 Letter to Confirmandi Dear Candidate for the Sacrament of Confirmation, The story of your life as a Christian began at your Baptism. You were marked with the sign of the cross which symbolized you being welcomed into the Christian community and being claimed by Christ as a disciple. You were anointed with chrism as a sign that you were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. You received the grace to avoid sin and live as a child of God. Baptized with water and the Spirit, you were marked forever as belonging to Christ. Promises were made in your name by your parents and godparents. These promises committed you to be a follower of Jesus Christ. As a disciple of Jesus, you are to speak and act as Jesus would in every situation in your life. Now your faith journey brings you to the Sacrament of Confirmation. Confirmation offers you a special challenge to spread the faith by both word and action, and to strive to live as a true witness of Christ. You will renew the promises made at Baptism and will again be anointed with chrism. By choosing to be confirmed, you are saying that you desire and are willing to make a lifelong commitment to serve as Jesus did. This is an essential element in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Being sealed with the gift of the Spirit will empower you to keep your word and fulfill your promises. Share this letter with your parents as you begin preparing to make this important commitment. The person who is ready and serious about receiving Confirmation has cause for celebration, because that person, confirmed in the Spirit, can do great things in the Church and among God s people. Without your commitment to our faith and Jesus, your day of confirmation will be just another day with no special meaning. The Church asks you to demonstrate your desire to commit yourself to this sacrament and the Catholic faith in many ways. You are asked to commit yourself to developing your personal prayer life. This includes your own daily prayer routine as well as participating at Mass on Sunday and receiving the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist regularly. You are asked to give time to study and learn more about the Church and the sacraments. You are asked to reach out to others (serve others) as you witness your faith in God who loves you deeply and desires your commitment to serve Him, love Him, and praise Him. This is not an easy task and it cannot be taken lightly. However, it should be an exciting, happy, and fulfilling time for you, your parents and your sponsor. At this time the Church looks to you for signs of growth and maturity which give evidence of service and witness to Christ by the way you live in your private life, your life within your family, and then how you interact in the broader picture of neighborhood, school, and parish. This is a lot to think about before you take on the commitment to live a fuller Christ-like life in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Identify people in your life who are examples of good Catholic Christians and who will support you in these months of preparation. We, your teachers and catechists, promise to guide you in your understanding and knowledge of what you are about to undertake. The community of St. Bartholomew is praying for you as well. May God s graces be with you as you continue on your journey in faith preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. 2

4 Hello Parents and Confirmandi! Note to Parents: I wanted to welcome you to Part II of your Confirmandi s Confirmation journey! This year will be filled with a lot of faith formation, fun and hard work! There are several things you need to know for this part of the journey. I will try to give you all the information you need to know or direct you to where you can find it! What is expected of my son/daughter this year? All Confirmandi need to attend CCE class unless they are at a Catholic High School, however, all Confirmandi need to be registered for CCE regardless if they are at a public or Catholic High School. This lets us know how many are to be confirmed for that year. All Confirmandi attending CCE class may not have more than 4 unexcused absences in the CCE year. All Confirmandi must attend a Confirmation retreat either with St. Bartholomew or another parishes Confirmation retreat in the diocese. All Confirmandi are required to do 25 hours of service. More information about Service hours can be found on the Service Hour Log Sheet found on page 12 of this folder. If a Confirmandi misses more than 4 classes, does not attend a retreat, or does not have their service hours completed, we reserve the right to postpone their Confirmation to the following year. If Confirmation does not take place prior to the completion of their 12 th grade year, they are not eligible to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation until they are 21 years of age through the RCIA program. Where can we find out about ongoing service hours, meetings etc. for Confirmation? All information will be posted on our website, st-bart.org. Go to Youth Ministry and then click on Service. All service hour opportunities, meeting dates and notes can be found on that page. We will also correspond through the bulletin, mail, s and on Facebook. You will be well informed! If I have questions, who can I contact? You can contact Cindy Smolik about CCE class questions as well as their teacher. You can contact Beth or Shiara about questions for meetings, retreat, or service hours. Our contact information can be found on the Service Hour Log Sheet. Teacher s s can be found on our webpage at st-bart.org Sacraments Youth Confirmation! Thank you & God Bless from the CCE Staff! 3

5 Say Yes As I continue my journey From Baptism to Confirmation I want to understand what I believe and to live it to the full! I want to change. I want to grow so that I can say Yes To my Father who loves, to Jesus who saves, to the Spirit who guides every step of my life. I want to say yes! I want to say yes To all the mystery of life, And death, and resurrection, And never take back the yes! 4

6 Faith Summary: Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the Sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. (CCC 1316) Confirmation unites us more firmly to Christ The oil used in Confirmation has a rich history of symbolism, one dating from ancient times. It signifies abundance and joy; it cleanses and limbers; it heals; and it makes one radiant with beauty, health and strength. (See CCC 1293) With the anointing of the sacred chrism (the oil which has been consecrated by the bishop), the candidates are brought into a fuller union with Christ and are marked with an indelible seal. Both oil and seal symbolize our belonging and sharing in His mission. Confirmation increases the Gifts of the Holy Spirit In Baptism we receive the grace to live and act through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Confirmation completes this baptismal grace. During the extending of hands in the rite of Confirmation, the bishop offers a prayer that invokes the outpouring of the Spirit. In it he names the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are increased and strengthened through the receipt of the sacramental grace: Wisdom, Understanding, Fortitude (Right Judgment), Courage, Knowledge, Piety (Reverence), and Fear of the Lord (Awe). Gifts are meant to be used. Confirmation bonds us more perfectly with the Church As a Sacrament of Initiation, Confirmation draws young people more fully into the life of the Church. This is true for both the local and the universal Church. United with Christ and empowered by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, children and youth take on greater responsibility as they mature. Confirmation strengthens us to spread and defend the faith as witnesses of Christ During the anointing with chrism, the presiding minister makes a sign of the cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed. It is a reminder of our Christian identity and our call to share in the mission of Jesus Christ. 5

7 Confirmation Candidate s Objectives: The Candidate will: Understand the meaning of Confirmation and its relationship to Baptism and the Eucharist as the third Sacrament of Initiation. Understand the meaning of grace and its presence in their life. Understand the faith development and their participation in the Church as a lifelong process or journey. Appreciate that they are a unique gift created in the image and likeness of God and determine how the Spirit is prompting them to use their gifts for others. Explore how Tradition, The Beatitudes, and the Sacraments can help foster the development of their identity as a Catholic Christian by strengthening their relationship with Jesus and helping them to live their faith daily. Name and integrate the meaning of the Ten Commandments in everyday life. Understand how to use the gift of freedom to choose love and how to recognize and respond to cultural conflicts and temptations which detract from freedom. Recognize the witness of Christian model Saints in living the faith. Review and explain the importance of Pentecost and how it applies to their individual and communal life. Name and explain the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and understand as well as appreciate how each gift strengthens their moral life. Name and explain the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and the effect they have in their life. Deepen their understanding, awareness, and relationship with the Trinity through personal and communal prayer, reflection, service and communal/familial relationships. Explore how the Holy Spirit urges the creation of a more just society. Understand and use the symbols of the Confirmation Rite in their daily life. Assess their readiness to be fully initiated into the life of the faith community. 6

8 Role of the Parents: Parents are called to be actively involved in the Confirmation preparation program. However, their involvement is very different than their role as parents in the Sacrament of Baptism. Much like the Sacraments themselves, the role of the parents is an extension of the commitment they undertook at their child s Baptism. It is the family which serves as the primary community of faith. As the child rows in faith, the parent s role lessens in regards to decision-making and becomes one of support and witness. For the Sacrament of Confirmation, the parental role is very much one of spiritual companion and advisor, that is, both parent and child learning and growing in understanding of Catholic Traditions and beliefs. As part of their continuing support and witness, parents should attend catechetical sessions provided by the parish for their own faith formation. With the parish s help, parents will be better able to share their own faith journey, thereby helping the candidate in their own decision to grow in their faith. It is the family who serves as the first community of faith! The parents present their child for Baptism and initiation into the community of faith we call the Church. Once this step is taken, a prolonged preparation for full incorporation into the Church has begun with the parent nurturing the gift of faith received by their child at Baptism through: Personally witnessing through their own Christian lifestyle Attending periodic informational meetings and showing your own faith experiences Participation in Sunday liturgy with your child Prayer Providing opportunities for your child to fully participate in formal religious education experiences with peers Parents are encouraged to participate in the service hours with their Confirmandi. 7

9 Role of the Sponsor: The Sponsor represents, in a personal way, the witness and support of the parish community. Sponsors should be mature persons of faith who are highly convinced that their faith makes a difference in their lives. The Sponsor can participate with the Confirmandi through their faith journey to Confirmation in various ways: Be a role model of the Catholic faith in their daily life Attend Mass with the Confirmandi or encourage the importance of attending Mass Be a support to the Confirmandi spiritually as well as emotionally Assist the candidate in the discernment process to know whether they feel called at this time to make the Confirmation commitment Accompany the Confirmandi to informational meetings Accompany the Confirmandi in various Service Projects To perform the role of Sponsor, it is necessary that the person fulfill the conditions stated in the Code of Canon Law#874 Be designated by the one to be confirmed and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function. Have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause. (The age in the Galveston-Houston diocese is 18 years of age) Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on. Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared. (For example, if married, the marriage must be a valid Catholic marriage) Not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed. It is desirable to choose as sponsor the one who undertook the same function in baptism. Once the youth has been fully initiated, the Sponsor s role is of continual support of the confirmed in their faith life and to solidify their commitment. This can be done on an informal basis by periodically inquiring on the newly confirmed efforts and success in living out the commitment of Confirmation. The Sponsor can also offer suggestions and assistance in helping the newly confirmed to become an active member of the Church community. 8

10 Pastoral Questions: 1. Is our religious education finished once we are confirmed? Through Confirmation catechesis we become more aware of the ongoing responsibilities in living out a Catholic Christian life. Our faith relationship with God is one that must constantly grow and change as we mature. Religious formation, therefore, is a life-long process. 2. Why is Confirmation celebrated in parishes rather than in Catholic School? The parish is a community of people who offer support to fellow Christians throughout life. School ends but the parish life into which the person is initiated ideally continues to offer support through the future; weddings, birth, Baptism, etc. Each young person has become a part of the fabric of the parish even if they should eventually move away. Some aspect of the person s life, through family and friends, will remain in that particular parish. 3. Do Catholic school students need to be involved in their parish Confirmation catechesis? Because Confirmation is a parish community celebration uniting all persons who seek the sacraments with the other members of the parish, the candidates should go through some part of the catechesis together. The goal is to build the primary community of faith, the parish. A well-designed Confirmation catechesis will complement existing programs, building on what is being taught in both school and parish religious education classes. The content for immediate sacramental preparation should be separate from Faith Themes covered in separate catechetical sessions. A Confirmation retreat should include specific content different from other retreat formats. Where service is a part of the Catholic school mission, parishes should make consideration for these efforts. Some opportunity for group sharing of the meaning of service can offer important feedback for Christian living. Dialogue between school and parish personnel is essential. 4. How much influence should parents have on a young person s decision for Confirmation? Some parents feel that they have completed their Christian duty when their child has received all the Sacraments of Initiation and feel obligated to insist that their child be confirmed. It is important that parents offer continual encouragement and support while trying to set a good example for Christian living. However, the actual decision to receive or delay the sacrament should not be made by the parents. Parishes should assist parents by offering them catechesis as well. 5. Can a candidate be denied Confirmation? No, Confirmation may not be denied but may be postponed. If certain diocesan guidelines are not met or the candidate does not feel they are ready to receive the Sacrament, the Confirmation coordinator along with the Pastor may postpone the Sacrament. The Pastor will have the final say on this matter. 6. What are the diocesan guidelines for the Confirmandi in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston? There are many but the two that would lead to postponing Confirmation are: a. Not attending a diocesan Confirmation Retreat b. More than 4 unexcused absences from CCE class in a year 7. Can parents be Confirmation Sponsors? According to Canon Law #874, parents may not be Sponsors to their children. Parents may present them to the Bishop during the ceremony should the Sponsor not be available on the day of Confirmation. 8. Can a candidate have more than one Sponsor? Yes, but only one is actually designated as the liturgical Sponsor, standing with the candidate at Confirmation. 9

11 9. May someone from a long distance be a Sponsor and someone else represent the Confirmandi at the ceremony as proxy? Yes, however, it is recommended that someone nearby be chosen as Sponsor so that they can become more involved in the candidate s preparation. 10. If a young person was confirmed at birth can they be confirmed again? No, Confirmation may not be repeated. The young person can be encouraged to participate in the preparation and celebration. At the time of Confirmation, they would be greeted and blessed rather than anointed. 11. Can a person with mental and physical disabilities be confirmed? Yes, catechesis and Confirmation preparation programs need to be adapted on an individual basis so that the Spiritual growth and community involvement of the candidate is both encouraged and enriched according to their abilities. 12. What is the proper attire for the Rite of Confirmation? Candidates should dress modestly as they present themselves to the parish community. Thus, specific guidelines should be discussed with the candidates, Sponsors, and parents prior to the ceremony. Appropriate attire for guys would be coat and trousers, shirt, and tie and nice shoes. No sneakers. Appropriate attire for girls would be a nice skirt/shirt or dress that is modest in length and does not have plunging necklines. Dresses with no straps or spaghetti straps are not encouraged but if worn must have a sweater to cover their shoulders. Immodest dress is a distraction for those who are administering the Sacrament as well as the congregation present. 13. What is the Catholic Church s acceptance as valid Confirmation for other ecclesial community traditions of Confirmation? a. The Orthodox Church: Valid Confirmation b. Protestant denominations (including Episcopal: Not a valid Confirmation 14. What does RCIA have to do with Confirmation? Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a formation process that a person must go through in order to be received into the Catholic Church. RCIA is this process and it serves as the catechesis that the adult needs to understand what the church believes and help the adult decide if joining the church is still the right decision for them. PLEASE NOTE: A Confirmation Candidate in High School may not receive Confirmation through RCIA here at St. Bartholomew s Catholic Church. If the candidate decides to postpone Confirmation in their 11 th grade year or if the Confirmation Coordinator postpones the candidates Confirmation until their senior year and they do not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in their senior year, they will have to wait until they are 21 years of age to receive the sacrament through RCIA. No Exceptions! 10

12 Confirmation Study Sheet: The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Hail Mary Hail, Mary! Full of grace, The Lord is with thee; Blessed are thou among women, And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners, Now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Glory Be Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Act of Contrition O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell. But most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. (1 of several versions of this prayer) Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance of the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and His kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Precepts of the Church 1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor. 2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year. Frequent confession is of great value; it makes us more deeply confirmed to Christ and more submissive to the voice of the Spirit. 3. You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season. (From the first Sunday of Lent to trinity Sunday) 4. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church. To fast means to keep from eating certain foods. To abstain means to refrain from eating meat. In the U.S., Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast and abstinence and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. 5. You shall help to provide for the needs of the Church. Seven Sacraments: Baptism, Penance, Eucharist, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders & Anointing of the Sick Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope & Love Cardinal Virtues: Prudence (discern good), Justice, Fortitude (Courage), Temperance (moderation or self-restraint of the human persons actions, thoughts or feelings) Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude (Courage), Piety (Reverence), Fear of the Lord (Awe) Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control, Chastity The Ten Commandments I am the LORD thy God. Thou shalt have no strange gods before Me. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods. Corporal Works of Mercy: Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Clothe the naked Visit the imprisoned Shelter the homeless Visit the sick Spiritual Works of Mercy: Admonish the sinner Instruct the ignorant Counsel the doubtful Comfort the sorrowful Bear wrongs patiently Forgive all injuries 11

13 Confirmation Service Hour Log Sheet NAME: Please fill out the log sheet with all the information needed and return to Beth prior to the Confirmation rehearsal. I. Mass Service Hrs.: 4Hrs. (4 hrs. of service at Mass as an altar server, lector, usher, Children s Liturgy or in one of the choirs. Altar Servers, Lectors and ushers must be trained.) Date: Service Provided: Supervisors Signature: # Hrs.: II. Youth Service Hrs.: 5Hrs. (5 hrs. of youth sponsored service projects. Please watch the bulletin and your for service opportunities.) Date: Service Project: Supervisors Signature: # Hrs.: III. Parish/Community Service Hrs.: 15Hrs. (15 hrs. combined of parish and community service hours. Please refer to the Confirmation Service Hours List in your Confirmation packet or check the bulletin for opportunities at church. Community service projects include helping a neighbor, a community outreach program, i.e. Katy Christian Ministries, or other individual or group outside of the parish community in need.) Date: Service Project: Supervisors Signature: # Hrs.: 12

14 Family Service Project: 1 Project (This is a project in the parish community or outside the parish community that involves your immediate family. Some suggestions for this project are: helping a family member in need, make a Eucharistic Adoration hour, getting involved with St. Vincent de Paul, Katy Christians Ministries, Pro-Life Coalition, or anything you can do as a family. There is a 1 hr. minimum requirement.) Date: Service Project: Supervisors Signature: # Hrs.: Contact Information: Name: Phone Number: Address: Cindy Smolik-Director of Religious Ed. (281) ext. 432 cindy@st-bart.org Nellie Aguilera-CCE Secretary (281) ext. 425 nellie@st-bart.org Beth Rady-Youth Minister (281) ext. 436 beth@st-bart.org Shiara Plasencia-Youth & Rel. Ed. Assistant (281) ext. 437 shiara@st-bart.org To all Confirmandi: These projects are not given as a checklist but a reminder of what Confirmation is all about; your commitment and service to Jesus Christ and His Body, the Church. While participating in these projects, we hope you gain an understanding of your role as a vital, active part of the Church. We pray you realize how important it is to touch and serve those in need. Amen, I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me. Jesus Christ 13

15 Service Hour Opportunities: Bazaar: First Sunday in May Contact Beth Rady (P/C Hours) Vacation Bible School: Takes place in the month of June (P/C Hours) Pancake Breakfast: The first Sunday of the month. Watch s for sign-up (Youth Hours) St. Vincent de Paul: Food Pantry collection 3 rd Sun. of the month after Mass & the 4 th Sun. of the month before Mass. (P/C Hours) Nursery: Sundays at the 9am, 10:45am and 12:30pm Masses. Contact Sr. Lucy at srlucy@st-bart.org! (P/C Hours) CCE Helpers: Help out with CCE on any of the nights they have CCE. Check in at the front desk of the CCE Building to see where you are needed! See our website for times. (P/C Hours) Children s Liturgy: Help out with Children s Liturgy at the 9am, 10:45am and 12:30pm Masses. Must be trained. (Mass Hours) Live Nativity: Held Dec. 24 th at 4pm in the Church. Be a part of the play or the choir. (P/C, Youth, or Mass Hours) Stations of the Cross: Fridays of Lent at 6:45pm in the Church. (P/C, Youth, or Mass Hours) The Beacon (Houston): Feed the hungry! For more info go to info@beaconhomeless.org or Houston Food Bank (Houston): Feed the hungry! For more info go to or Eternal Food Ministries (Katy): Feed the hungry! For more info go to or Please Note: Go to our website, st-bart.org and go to Youth Ministry. Then click on Service in the subcategories for more service hour opportunities. Join us on Facebook or Remind! 14