CONFIRMATION For Candidates Candidates will use the Chosen confirmation program from Ascension Press and are introduced to various forms of prayer in class and during retreats. They attend October and March discernment meetings, complete one personal growth inquiry, choose a Confirmation saint, attend two retreats, and complete various assignments including an optional Saint Shield and Confirmation Banner assignment. For Sponsors Sponsors are to be chosen by October 1st. An eligible sponsor is someone who is on fire for the Catholic Faith and shows no outward signs of not fully participating in the life of the church. They are someone you can discuss your struggles of faith with, you trust totally, and who leads you back to the Church. Please see the Sponsor Application. For Parents Why be Confirmed? In seeking Confirmation, one seeks full initiation into the Catholic Church, and the strength of the Spirit to build up the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church, by spreading and defending the faith in word and deed. The Spirit provides the fortitude to remain steadfast in faith, hope, and charity as a witness to the truth while living in a culture that rejects it. However, to receive this gift of strength one must be properly disposed in spirit and mind. The OLPH Confirmation program seeks to prepare the spirits and minds of Confirmation Candidates by teaching moral reasoning strategies, increasing knowledge of the faith, and cultivating a fruitful prayer life. This is accomplished through personal interactions, presenting the authentic teachings of the church, providing time for personal inquiry, and exposure to different forms of prayer. Parents are asked to attend two RCIA nights of their choice. 2255 Central Grove, Toledo, OH 43614 Page 1 of 6
The Domestic Church and Personal Accountability Confirmation Saint Confirmation Saints are chosen at the end of 7th grade year when candidates write a biography and are revisited towards the end of confirmation prep when candidates are asked to reflect on the spiritual lives of their saints. The tradition of choosing the name of a saint originates from the practice of taking a Christian name at Baptism. As a new pope takes the name of a saint or previous pope to indicate how they will reign, so to do confirmandi take the name of a saint to indicate the kind of Christian life they wish to lead. The process of choosing the name of a saint should include considering how the life of the saint matches the life of the candidate or the kind of Christian life the candidate wishes to live. Does one wish to cater to those on the periphery like Saint Katherine Drexel or bring the faith to others like St. Patrick? Consideration should also be given to the spiritual life of the saint or the types of spiritual practices espoused by a saint such as the Little Way proposed by Saint Therese of Lisieux who is pictured above. Pope Francis writes that, Parents always influence the moral development of their children, for better or for worse. It follows that they should take up this essential role and carry it out consciously, enthusiastically, reasonably and appropriately (The Joy of Love, p. 128). In light of this truth, parents are asked to attend two RCIA sessions at some point before confirmation. RCIA takes place on Monday nights from 7:30-9:00pm in the teacher s lounge. Additionally, it is asked that parents plan their family s life around God rather than ask God to plan His life around the family s. Primarily, this means giving the highest priority to attending Mass weekly, ensuring that candidates attend both retreats, and attend classes. If a candidate is unable to attend the October 21st NET Ministries Retreat, they are asked to attend a retreat made available through another Catholic Parish. The March 10th Spiritual Retreat with sponsors may not be replaced with another parish s retreat. If a candidate is unable to attend Sunday mass at least three weeks out of the month, attend either confirmation retreat, or complete the assignments based on the parameters set, the Church will ask the candidate to kindly reconsider receiving the sacrament until the following year. Accommodations for students with special needs or special circumstances will be made at the discretion of Mr. Mocek. If you feel your child may need accommodations, please make an appointment to discuss your particular circumstances by calling Mr. Mocek at 419.382.5511 or by emailing him at jmocek@olphtoledo.net. Important Dates October 2nd - Have a sponsor chosen, your interview with Fr. Dave and Mr. Mocek scheduled, and your inquiry choice made. October 21st - Net Ministries Retreat at OLPH 1-8pm February 5th- Inquiry Due March 10th - Spiritual Retreat with Sponsors at Our Lady of Lourdes, Genoa 1-8pm March 26th - Saint s Spiritual Life Reflection Due April 14th - Confirmation 11:00am at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral 2255 Central Grove, Toledo, OH 43614 Page 2 of 6
PERSONAL GROWTH INQUIRY The personal growth inquiry exists as an opportunity to explore and strengthen your conviction to the faith. You may choose one of the following options below by October 2nd. Once chosen you will be provided with a rubric specific to your selection and you are required to have that inquiry completed and turned in to Mr. Mocek by February 5th. If at any point you have questions or need guidance during your inquiry please set up a time to talk to Mr. Mocek who will be happy to work with you. C.S. Lewis Screwtape Letters Read the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis and, with the help of your sponsor, keep a journal that answers questions provided to you in a study guide. Positively Dangerous Read Positively Dangerous by Frank Mercadante and, with the help of your sponsor, answer questions provided at the end of every chapter in a journal. Social Justice Video Choose an issue related to Catholic Social Justice and produce a video that you will publish to YouTube. For examples please visit the confirmation page at www.olphtoledo.org/ confirmation and scroll to the Social Justice section at the bottom of the screen. Defense of Faith Pick any Catholic teaching of interest to you, research it, and write a paper that coincides with Mrs. Susdorf s research paper expectations. An example might be that you agree or disagree with a teaching. You need to write about the teaching, give your opinion, and back yourself up with resources from the Catechism and scripture. Works of Mercy Complete 10 service hours related to a Spiritual or Corporal Work of Mercy and write a reflection paper which describes the work of mercy, how you performed that work, and the impact you think that work had on the receiver. Living the Virtues Write a reflection in which you define and provide examples on how you live out the seven virtues in your life. Culture of Life We live in what Saint John Paul II described as a culture of death. Write a reflection in which you explain what he meant by that characterization. Provide examples of issues or positions which promote the culture of death and one concrete example of how you will promote a culture of life. The Sacraments Write a reflection in which you describe the seven sacraments of the church and write about the importance of receiving the sacraments which includes going to mass. You must also contrast that to leaving the faith for a non-denominational experience which rejects religion and promotes, religion free zones. 2255 Central Grove, Toledo, OH 43614 Page 3 of 6
SPONSOR APPLICATION Thank you for discerning a call to sponsorship. A sponsor is a person who walks the journey with the candidate, isn t afraid to hold the candidate accountable to their choice to receive confirmation, and certifies before God and the Church that the candidate is prepared to receive the sacrament. A sponsor should have regularly scheduled confidential discussions with the candidate to discuss the content of the lessons and the health of their spiritual life. A sponsor should be an active member of the Church who lives a life in accordance with the moral teachings of the church and attends mass weekly with few exceptions. Sponsors are also asked to attend a retreat with the candidates on March 10th from 1-8pm at Our Lady of Lourdes in Genoa, OH. If you feel you are able to function as a sponsor and are willing to make the commitment, please fill out this application, have it signed by your pastor and sealed by your parish office, and return it to Joshua Mocek at OLPH. You may be able to request that your parish office send it. CANDIDATE S NAME : SPONSOR S NAME: SPONSOR S EMAIL: 1. For the last 6 months I have attended mass weekly with few exceptions: Yes No 2. I am a fully initiated Catholic and at least 16 years of age (I have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation): Yes No If you answered no to either of the questions in this section you are ineligible to be a sponsor at the time. 3. If you are divorced: have you entered into a civil marriage without receiving an annulment? Yes No N/A 4. In the last 6 months have you cohabited?: Yes No 5. In the last 6 months have you attended a Protestant service in lieu of attending Catholic Mass? Yes No If you answered yes to any of the questions in this section you are ineligible to be a sponsor at this time. If you are ineligible and would like to discuss your particular circumstances with Mr. Mocek please call the parish office at 419.382.5511 or email him at jmocek@olphtoledo.net. Name of home parish: Street address: City/State: Zip Code: (Arch) Diocese: Name of Pastor: Pastors must ascertain the spiritual qualifications of sponsors. The sponsor for any candidate may be male or female and is to be sufficiently mature, a practicing Catholic, who has him/herself been confirmed and has not been prohibited by law from exercising the role of sponsor. (Canon 893) I certify that this individual is an active member of my parish, espouses and lives the Catholic faith, and attends Mass weekly with few exceptions. Affix Church Seal Pastor s Signature: Date: 2255 Central Grove, Toledo, OH 43614 Page 4 of 6
COURSE SCHEDULE September 18th - Confirmation Meeting: (Parent and Candidate Intro Meeting 7:30pm Meeting Rm# 2) 18th - Lesson 1 Why am I here? (An Introduction to Chosen) 25th - Lesson 2 What makes me happy? (Discovering God as the Source) October 2nd - Lesson 3 What s your story God? (A Look at Salvation History) Due: Have a sponsor chosen, your interview with Fr. Dave and Mr. Mocek scheduled, and your inquiry choice made. 9th - Lesson 4 How do I know God is real? (Understanding Divine Revelation) 16th -Lesson 5 Who is Jesus? (The Person and Mission of Christ) 21st - Net Ministries Retreat at OLPH 23rd - Lesson 6 Why be Catholic? (Discovering the Church Jesus Founded) 30th - Lesson 7 Where am I going? (A Look at the Four Last Things) November 6th - Lesson 8 How do I get there? (The Power and Purpose of the Sacraments) 13th - Lesson 9 When did my journey begin? (Baptism, Your Initiation into God s Family) 27th - Lesson 10 Why tell my sins to a priest? (The Healing Power of the Sacrament) December 4th - Lesson 11 How does God help when it hurts? (Anointing of the Sick and Redemptive Suffering) 11th - Lesson 12 Who is the Holy Spirit? (Meeting the Third Person of the Trinity) 18th - Lesson 13 What does the Holy Spirit do for me? (Gifts for the Journey) January 8th - Lesson 14 Why have I been chosen? (Sealed and Sent in Confirmation) 22nd - Lesson 15 Why do I have to go to Mass? (Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist) 29th - Lesson 16 What does it mean to say, I do? (Marriage, a Sign of God s Love) February 5th - Lesson 17 Who s Calling? (Holy Orders and Vocational Discernment) Due: Personal Inquiry 12th - Lesson 20 What would Jesus do? (The Beatitudes as the Path to True Happiness) 26th - Lesson 21 Do I have what it takes? (Building Virtue - Your Spiritual Workout) March 5th -Lesson 22 Why wait? (God s Plan for Love and Sex) 10th - Spiritual Retreat with sponsors at Our Lady or Lourdes in Genoa, OH. 12th - Lesson 18 Are you talking to me? (Getting to Know God Through Prayer) 19th - Lesson 19 Who is Mary? (Meeting the Mother of God - and Your Heavenly Father) 26th - Lesson 23 How do I build the kingdom? (Saying Yes to the Mission of Christ and His Church) Due: Spiritual Life Reflection April 9th - Lesson 24 Where do I go from here? (The Journey Continues) 14th - Confirmation 11:00am at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral 2255 Central Grove, Toledo, OH 43614 Page 5 of 6
DISCERNMENT MEETINGS New this year are discernment meetings. The first meeting takes place in October and includes a parent, the sponsor, and the candidate. The second takes place in March and includes only the candidate. Please read further for more information. The October Meeting The October meetings take approximately 25 minutes and are scheduled on Sunday afternoons. Fr. David and Mr. Mocek meet with a parent, the sponsor, and the candidate all at once to discuss each individual s role in the preparation process and to gain an understanding of their spiritual life as a group. Next Fr. Dave and Mr. Mocek briefly meet with the candidate alone to gain an understanding of their calling to the sacrament. To schedule the October meeting Please select your top three choices below by writing 1, 2, 3. Kindly return this form at your earliest convenience, and please know that interviews will be scheduled on a first come first serve basis. Sunday, Oct 1st 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm Sunday, Oct 8th 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm Sunday, Oct 15th 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm The March Meeting The March meeting is an informal meeting with Fr. Dave and/or Mr. Mocek in which the candidate is asked if they are prepared to receive the sacrament or if they do not feel called to receive the sacrament at that time. Mass attendance and their assignments are also discussed. These meetings will take place during regularly scheduled class time. 2255 Central Grove, Toledo, OH 43614 Page 6 of 6