St. Ursula Confirmation Calendar 2017-18 Calendar All meetings and sessions are held in the Spiritual Center, unless otherwise indicated. Sunday, September 17, 2017 Sunday, September 17, 2017 Sunday, October 29, 2017 Sunday, November 19, 2017 Sunday, December 17, 2018 Registration Deadline Mandatory Orientation following 10-11AM Session #1 (9AM-12PM) includes 11AM Mass Session #2 (9AM-12PM) includes 11AM Mass Session #3 (9AM-12PM) includes 11AM Mass *Sponsor Form and Confirmation Name Card Due January 12-14, 2018 Sunday, February 18, 2018 Sunday, March 18, 2018 Confirmation Retreat (More info coming soon) Session #4 (9AM-12PM) includes 11AM Mass Session #5 (9AM-12PM) includes 11AM Mass *Letter to the Bishop due Sunday, April 15, 2018 Session #6 (9AM-12PM) includes 11AM Mass *All remaining forms due (Parish Participation, Service Log) The Week of April 23-27, 2018 Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Mid May, 2018 Final Interview with Parish Staff by appointment Confirmation Rehearsal in Church at 7PM Confirmation Mass Date and Time TBD *If a teen misses a session, he/she must contact the Youth Minister, Jackie Swinerton, to receive all makeup materials from missed session. **In the case of inclement weather/unforeseen circumstances and a session must be canceled, an announcement will be made via email to inform and reschedule the canceled session.
St. Ursula Church Service Opportunities Permission Forms are required for any off-campus event. To sign up, call/text Jackie at 216.386.4394, pick up a permission form from the Parish Office, or download a permission form from the St. Ursula Youth Ministry website (stursulaparish.org/youthministry). Permission forms must be turned in before the deadline in order to go. Service Opportunity First Fruit Farms Cardboard City Campout Happy Helpers for the Homeless Christmas Caroling Date Time More Info Saturday, September 23rd Saturday, October 7 th to Sunday, October 8 th Saturday, November 19 th 8:15am- 12:30pm Begins after the 5pm Mass and ends after the 11am Mass 10:30am to 2:30pm First Fruit Farms grows and harvests food for local food/homesless shelters in the Baltimore area. We will be harvesting the crops they grow so dress accordingly! Permission slip can be found on the website. Our first ever Cardboard City will help to raise awareness and money for those in dire need in our community. Teens will spend the night outside in their home and experience the harsh reality that some people have to live with at all times. Permission slips can be found on the website. Happy Helpers was founded in 1993 by an 8 year old girl who saw a need in her Baltimore community. Today, they engage young people, their parents, and organizations in preparing food and goods for the needy every weekend of the year. We will help them to prepare and distribute meals for the homeless in Glen Burnie and Baltimore. More info coming soon! TBD TBD More info coming closer to the date! Souper Bowl of Caring Saturday, February 3 rd and Sunday, February 4 th, 2018 After all weekend masses Souper Bowl of Caring uses the energy of the Super Bowl to move people in a united effort of raising money and awareness for those in need. All the money donated will go directly to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. More info coming soon! Soup & Salad Supper Fridays during Lent Friday Night More info coming closer to the date!
Service Opportunity Date Time More info Lector/Altar Server/Greeter/ Usher Saturdays and Sundays Normal Mass Times Contact Jackie to learn more about these opportunities/get in contact with the right people! Middle School Youth Ministry Varies but at least once per month Varies Come help with the Middle School events and lead our younger teens deeper into their faith of Christ. Must be trained in Worthy of the Call (WOTC). Religious Ed Children s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) Monday Nights/Some one time opportunities Second and fourth Sunday of the month Varies During the 9am and 11am Masses Religious Ed needs classroom assistants for Monday nights this is a yearlong commitment. There are other one time service opportunties as well time vary. Contact Jackie for more info. Must be trained in Worthy of the Call (WOTC). Children s Liturgy of the Word needs volunteers to help them teens are needed to help facilitate the meetings during the Liturgy of the Word during Mass. Must be trained in Worthy of the Call (WOTC). If you re interested, contact Laura Weatherington. Make sure to check our website for new service opportunities as they are scheduled!
Saint Ursula Confirmation 2017-2018 Service Opportunities Log and Reflection Service Options: Every teen gets to participate in 15 hours of service. Every teen must participate in at least one of the St. Ursula Church sponsored service opportunities listed above. Please note that Saint Ursula School events will NOT count as a St. Ursula Church sponsored opportunity (i.e. Harvest Festival, Trunk or Treat, etc) but can be counted towards the remaining required hours. After completing the mandatory service, turn in this log with the reflective essay explaining your service opportunity. If you need more space, attach additional sheets. Date Service Activity Number of Hours Supervisor Signature In one page, respond to the following questions about your most memorable service opportunity: 1. Describe the work you did at your service opportunity. 2. Describe the organization in which you worked. What is the mission? What targeted group is this organization trying to reach? 3. How did this experience relate to your Confirmation preparation? 4. In what ways did this experience connect to your faith? How did this experience help you to encounter God in our world?
St. Ursula Parish Confirmation Letter to the Bishop As part of all Confirmation programs in the Archdiocese, each candidate is asked to write a letter to our confirming Bishop stating your desire to be confirmed and also why it is that you are making this choice. Often, the Bishop will use pieces of these letters in his homily at your confirmation. It is important that you keep this letter to one page, but answer the questions the Bishop asks thoughtfully. Your letters should be typed. YOU MUST BRING YOUR LETTER TO THE CONFIRMATION SESSION ON SUNDAY, MARCH 18th. We will then send all the letters to the Bishop s office in one envelope. Some guidelines for writing a letter: 1. Letters to the Bishop are formal, and that means they should be typed. 2. Include a greeting such as, Dear Bishop Madden, or Dear Archbishop Lori, 3. In your first paragraph be sure to introduce yourself and request that you would like to be confirmed. Introduce yourself with a sentence about you and your family. Give some reasons why being confirmed is important to you. 4. In a following paragraph, explain how you have prepared for the sacrament. Talk about things like your prayer life, confirmation classes, service, your retreat experience, the things you have done within the parish, etc. 5. Tell the Bishop what Confirmation name you have chosen and why you chose it. 6. Make sure there is a sentence or two that concludes your letter by thanking the Bishop for reading your letter and for confirming you and your peers. 7. End with, Sincerely, and sign your name. LETTERS ARE DUE IN CLASS ON MARCH 18, 2018.
St. Ursula Parish Confirmation Letter to Sponsor Dear Sponsor, You have been chosen to be a Confirmation sponsor, congratulations! This young person sees in you a profound faith commitment, finds trust and knows you are someone who will care about them and their faith. Sounds impressive, doesn't it? If you're a practicing, mature Catholic, you needn t worry. It's not all that complicated, but it does take time, a caring heart and a listening ear. First, please be sure to submit the enclosed SPONSOR INFORMATION FORM as soon as possible. We also suggest that you meet periodically with your young person in prayer and reflection as they continue to affirm their desire to receive this sacrament. While the way in which you choose to mentor your young person depends upon your relationship with them, we hope that you are able to make time for them during this sacrament prep and for the years that follow. Here are a few suggestions on how to be the best possible sponsor for your candidate: Pray for your candidate and yourself. As candidates decide to be confirmed, they need spiritual strength. Your prayers for them are important, but don't forget to pray for yourself also, that you can share why you value and practice your Catholicism: attend Mass together or even have the courage to come to Reconciliation together. Give of your time and share your gifts. Spend time with your candidate! Take them to lunch, go out of your way to engage them in conversation about their Confirmation process, their own faith life, and the things they are questioning and pondering! Let your unique God-given talents and gifts shine! Offer a gift of spiritual significance a new Bible, rosary or book about our faith or about the saint the candidate has chosen for a Confirmation name but be creative and relevant! Don't miss the ceremony or the rehearsal! Participating in the ceremony is the easiest part of being a sponsor. Your basic job will be to place your hand on your candidate's shoulder, and tell the bishop your candidate's Confirmation name. You're there to be a support, but your role on Confirmation day is only beginning. REHERSAL WILL BE ON TUESDAY, MAY 1ST AT 7PM. We will meet in the Spiritual Center to line up and then continue upstairs to the main church. CONFIRMATION MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED IN MID-MAY, DATE TBD BY BISHOP S OFFICE. Don't forget this newly confirmed Catholic. After Confirmation day, remember birthdays and this anniversary. Send a card or make a phone call. Continue to worship together, or from time to time do some Christian service. Put those "Gifts of the Spirit" into practice. God bless you and your candidate as you embark on this faith journey together! Sincerely, The St. Ursula Confirmation Team
ST. URSULA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH GODPARENT/SPONSOR or CHRISTIAN WITNESS INFORMATION NAME OF PERSON TO BE BAPTIZED AND/OR CONFIRMED: (First) (Middle) (Last) This is for: (please check) RCIA Baptism Teen Confirmation Adult Confirmation Baptism and Confirmation are two of the three sacraments of initiation, bringing the candidate into union with Christ and communion with the Church. A practicing Roman Catholic acting as godparent/sponsor is required; it is the duty of this person to assist the candidate in his or her faith journey. One of the baptismal godparents is the ideal choice to be the sponsor for confirmation; however, another suitable individual may be chosen. You may choose a godparent/sponsor, or one may be appointed. A godparent/sponsor is one s guide in the faith, and as such represents the Church. Canon Law stipulates the following requirements to be a sponsor: the sponsor must be at least 16, baptized and confirmed Catholic, is an active, PRACTICING Catholic in good standing, and is someone other than the candidate s parent. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + I declare that I am eligible to be a Godparent or Sponsor. I satisfy all the requirements listed below. (Please check) I am at least 16, a Baptized and Confirmed Catholic I attend Roman Catholic Mass regularly and try to live as a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church If married, my marriage has been blessed by the church I intend to help this candidate grow in his/her own faith I am not the candidate s parent (other relatives are acceptable) I am freely willing and prepared to act as a godparent or sponsor (Baptism only) I am not a practicing Roman Catholic, but I am eligible to act as a Christian Witness. I satisfy all the requirements listed below. (Please check) I am at least 16, a Baptized Christian I attend Sunday services regularly I try to live my life according to the teachings of Christ I intend to encourage this candidate in the practice of the Roman Catholic faith I am not the candidate s parent (other relatives are acceptable) I am freely willing and prepared to act as a godparent Please contact us with any questions or concerns regarding your status as a Godparent or Christian Witness. Signature Date NAME OF GODPARENT/SPONSOR: (please print) ADDRESS: PHONE & EMAIL: PARISH or CHURCH: PARISH/CHURCH CITY & STATE:
Saint Ursula Confirmation Sponsor Interview Now that you have chosen your sponsor, it is time to spend a little more time with him or her to really get to know more about his or her faith journey. After all, the life-long role of your sponsor is to walk with you and support you on your own faith journey! You may find you already know a good deal or that there is much more to learn! Set up a time to meet with your sponsor to interview him or her. It is best to meet with your sponsor in person, but if it is not possible, you can interview him or her by phone or by email. You can meet inside outside or share a meal, be creative! Although you will be asking your sponsor questions in the format of an interview, your meeting should really be more of a discussion, with you listening and adding your own insights and thoughts to the conversation. Invite your sponsor to ask you questions too! You can ask your sponsor questions that are not on the list, and you do not need to talk about each and every question provided, but you can. Start your meeting by praying together! Take notes during the interview so later you can answer the reflection questions. Have your sponsor sign the form. (A parent can sign it if it is done by mail or email.) Turn in your form by Sunday, April 15 th, 2018. Have fun! Some Questions to Ask your Confirmation Sponsor: 1. How did you become Catholic? Were you baptized when you were a baby or did you become Catholic through RCIA? Tell me about how you first learned about your faith. 2. As a Catholic, what makes you different from other Christians? 3. How do you picture the Holy Spirit? What images come to mind? When or how have you experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? 4. What name did you choose for Confirmation and why? When or how have you called on your saint to help you on your journey? 5. Do you have a favorite saint(s)? Why? What about that saint has helped you on your faith journey? 6. How do you define the word holy? Do you know people in your life that you would describe as holy? Do you think anyone describes you as holy? What challenges do you face in trying to live a life of holiness? 7. Tell me about an experience in your life when it was difficult for you to be Catholicperhaps a time when you were made fun of for your faith or when you struggled with a teaching of the Catholic Church. How did you keep your faith or find answers to your questions at that time?
8. In what ways do you feel that celebrating the Eucharist (Mass) every week strengthens and nourishes you to live as a Catholic? Did you ever have a time when you did not like going to Mass? 9. What is your understanding of what it means to sin? How do you avoid sin? 10. What does forgiveness mean to you? What do you do when you find it difficult to forgive someone who has hurt you? How do you ask forgiveness from someone you have hurt? 11. Tell me about your feelings, thoughts and experiences with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Is it difficult for you to celebrate this Sacrament or was there a time when it was difficult for you to celebrate it? How do you prepare yourself to go? 12. How do you pray? Do you have a favorite place or time to pray? Do you ever find it difficult to pray? 13. How do you serve? Do you participate in service projects or volunteer opportunities in your parish, school, work or community? How does service impact your life? 14. Tell me about a time when you felt particularly close to God. Tell me about a time you felt very far away from God. 15. Who has been your role model for you to live out your Catholic faith? What has he or she taught you? How has he or she challenged you? 16. In what ways do you still need to grow in your faith? Do you try to keep learning? How? 17. Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, the gifts we received at our Baptism: wisdom, understanding, counsel (right judgment), courage, knowledge, reverence, wonder and awe are strengthened and increased within each of us. Reflecting back on your life experiences, which gifts have you used the most? Which gifts do you need to use more? 18. What is the best thing about being Catholic? What is the greatest challenge to being Catholic?
Sponsor Meeting #1 Interview your Sponsor Candidate s Name Date of Meeting Sponsor s Name Sponsor s Signature 1. What was one thing you learned about your sponsor s faith journey that surprised you during your meeting? 2. What was one thing that you found challenging in your sponsor s faith journey? 3. Write about one story or experience that your sponsor shared that you felt showed that he or she was truly strengthened by the Holy Spirit through Confirmation.
Saint Ursula Confirmation Parent Partnership We are excited that your child is entering our Confirmation formation process! God has great things in store in this process. Christian initiation began when your child was baptized and entered into God s family and our Catholic community. The Christian initiation that we continue is A gradual process of conversion and spiritual growth led by God s grace and the Holy Spirit; That forms new Christian disciples through Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation; Who learn the Christian faith by example and apprenticeship in the Christian community; So they will believe, worship, and live as Christians in the world. The role of parents is ESSENTIAL to our Confirmation formation process. Overwhelming research says that parent s practicing their faith is the number one factor and most important influence that will determine if a child has or practices their Christian faith. The primary ways that you do that is living your faith at home, celebrating the sacraments, and engaging in the Confirmation process with and for your child and all the Confirmation candidates. Please complete the following re your role. Parent Name: Best Contact Number: Email: Circle all areas of interest, strengths, or skills for your engagement in our Confirmation program. Everyone has talents to contribute in the faith apprenticeship of our young people. We cannot do this without you. Circle your areas of interest. We will contact you for further conversation. God bless you! Hospitality Prayer Partners Confirmation Team Music and Worship Icebreakers Art and Environment Drama and theatrics Provide snacks Retreat Team Organizational Help Service Projects Witness talk Youth Ministry Volunteer Kitchen Crew Financial Support Other gifts or talents you have to share what you love to do for God and others Our Confirmation team is committed to partnering with you for the benefit of your child and every child in Saint Ursula Catholic community. We cannot do it without you. Please pray and do all that you can to support all of our young people that they will grow to know, love, and serve the Lord in ways that profoundly direct their lives now and in the future. We welcome your observations and comments below as we begin this exciting journey. Thank you and God bless you.
The Choosing of a Christian Name For Confirmation you have been asked to choose a meaningful Christian name. Most often, this is the name of a recognized saint in the Catholic Church. If the baptismal name is not that of a recognized saint, a new name should be chosen for Confirmation. Candidates are encouraged to look into different saints and choose a name that is meaningful for them. Candidates Name: Christian Name Chosen: Explanation of Names Meaning: The Choosing of a Christian Name For Confirmation you have been asked to choose a meaningful Christian name. Most often, this is the name of a recognized saint in the Catholic Church. If the baptismal name is not that of a recognized saint, a new name should be chosen for Confirmation. Candidates are encouraged to look into different saints and choose a name that is meaningful for them. Candidates Name: Christian Name Chosen: Explanation of Names Meaning: The Choosing of a Christian Name For Confirmation you have been asked to choose a meaningful Christian name. Most often, this is the name of a recognized saint in the Catholic Church. If the baptismal name is not that of a recognized saint, a new name should be chosen for Confirmation. Candidates are encouraged to look into different saints and choose a name that is meaningful for them. Candidates Name: Christian Name Chosen: Explanation of Names Meaning: The Choosing of a Christian Name For Confirmation you have been asked to choose a meaningful Christian name. Most often, this is the name of a recognized saint in the Catholic Church. If the baptismal name is not that of a recognized saint, a new name should be chosen for Confirmation. Candidates are encouraged to look into different saints and choose a name that is meaningful for them. Candidates Name: Christian Name Chosen: Explanation of Names Meaning: