CONFIRMATION PREPARATION ASCENSION CATHOLIC CHURCH 20122012-2013 YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES UPON YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY WITNESSES. ~ACTS 1:8
INTRODUCTION WHY CONFIRMATION? Confirmation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist, is a Sacrament of Initiation in the Catholic Church. It is an outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and completes the grace received in Baptism. The first Confirmation was at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and they were given the grace and strength to spread the Gospel throughout the world. When we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, we receive that same outpouring of the Holy Spirit so we, too, may be able to share the Gospel and bring others to the love of Christ. You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be My witnesses. ~Acts 1:8 PRETARATION PROCESS The Confirmation preparation process at Ascension is designed to help teens come to a greater understanding of their Catholic faith, grow in their relationship with Christ, and practice living the Christian life. With this foundation, they will be able to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit received at Confirmation to the fullest. It is a two year process, usually during a teen s freshman and sophomore years in high school. Each year there are two semesters, with eight sessions per semester. Confirmation sessions include prayer, catechesis, and small group faith sharing. In addition to Confirmation sessions, students participate in our Youth Mass, high school youth nights, and other youth events. 2
COMPONENTS CONFIRMATION SESSIONS SYLLABUS YEAR I Semester I: Disciples. This semester will focus on God s unique plan for every person, his invitation to follow him, and how we can respond. Semester 2: Scripture. Students will explore God s loving plan of salvation found in Sacred Scripture. SYLLABUS YEAR II Semester I: Morality. Students will learn that following God s plan brings the freedom to live the fullness of life He has for each of us. Semester II: Creed and Sacraments. We will delve more deeply into what we profess as Catholics, and understand how God gives us grace through the Sacraments. SCHEDULE Confirmation sessions will take place on Sunday afternoons twice per month from 4-5:15pm. Please see the calendar in the back of this booklet. YOUTH MASS The Mass is our highest form of worship, and receiving Christ in the Eucharist is central to our Christian lives. Pope Benedict says, Sunday is the day when Christians rediscover the Eucharistic form which their lives are meant to have (SC, 72). After classes, Confirmation candidates will attend the 5:30pm Youth Mass together (unless they usually attend a different Mass with their families). Teens will be given a Confirmation Journal which they will keep to record their thoughts on the homily or readings for each Sunday. They will need to turn this in at the end of each semester. Weekly Sunday Mass attendance is required for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. 3
COMPONENTS YOUTH NIGHTS Youth Nights begin with our 5:30pm Youth Mass, followed by an engaging, relevant, and formative youth gathering. Youth Nights take place on the first Sunday of every month. Candidates are required to attend 6 Youth Nights or other youth events each year, in addition to Confirmation sessions. PARENT NIGHTS Every other month we will have a parent/teen night with either a guest speaker or other event. These need to be attended by either a parent or sponsor. BIBLE STUDY We will be having a weekly Bible study headed by one of our young adult core team members. *Day and time TBA RETREATS Retreats are wonderful opportunities to encounter God free from the distractions of everyday life. They are an important part of a candidate s spiritual journey towards Confirmation. *Dates TBA OTHER YOUTH EVENTS In addition to regular meetings, we also social and service events throughout the year to help strengthen our youth community and friendships with one another. SERVICE HOURS Year I and II Candidates must complete 30 service hours each year, 20 of which must be done at/or with Ascension. Please document service hours completed on the service form found in your Confirmation Journal. 4
POLICIES CONFIRMATION JOURNALS This year, students will be given a Confirmation Journal that they will be able to keep track of and document their attendance, service hours, and other requirements. Students will need to bring this Journal to Sunday Mass, Confirmation sessions, and Youth Nights. It is the student s responsibility to ensure that they meet all of the requirements each year for Confirmation. Journals need to be turned in to Marie at the end of every semester to check progress. ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION Confirmation Sessions: Candidates are allowed one absence from Confirmation sessions per semester (please let Marie know ahead of time if you will be absent). Other absences will require meeting with Marie and completing a makeup assignment to continue the semester. Catholic High School students are only required to attend the first semester of their first year, and the second semester of their second year. Please arrive on time. If you are late, you may be marked absent. Youth Nights: All candidates (including Catholic school candidates) need to attend 6 Youth Nights or other approved youth events per year. Parent/Teen Nights: A parent and/or sponsor needs to attend these evenings with their teen. CONFIRMATION READINESS INTERVIEW & TEST Towards the end of the second year of Confirmation preparation, each candidate will participate in an informal interview with Fr. Bob to demonstrate readiness to receive the sacrament. Readiness is determined by the candidate s desire to receive the sacrament and satisfactory completion of the requirements for Confirmation. Before the interview, candidates will need to successfully complete a test, demonstrating understanding of what they have learned during their two years of preparation. 5
POLICIES RULES /EXPECTATIONS FOR CONFIRMATION & YOUTH EVENTS Out of respect for oneself and others, candidates are expected to: Behave appropriately and respectfully at all youth events and Confirmation sessions. Anything dangerous or illegal is of course prohibited. Use upbuilding and kind speech, and no swearing/profanities. Arrive on time. Participate in Confirmation sessions, and complete and assignments/ readings. No cell phone or ipod use during Confirmation, Youth events, and of course Mass. Dress modestly and appropriately: All undergarments must be covered, no skin-tight clothing, exposed midriffs, no low-cut tops, spaghetti strap tops, strapless or backless tops. No sagging, skintight pants, short shorts or short skirts. 6
REGISTRATION PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING Parents of new candidates need to attend the Orientation Meeting on September 9th, at 6:30PM. ONE-ON ON-ONE ONE MEETING Year I Candidates are asked to meet with Marie sometime in September. Sign-ups will be available at the Parent/Candidate Meeting on September 9th, or contact Marie to make an appointment. REGISTRATION PACKET Please complete and return the Registration Form, Medical Release Form, Parent/Candidate Agreement Form, and Parent Volunteer Form by September 17th. Fees: Year I Public School: $150 per candidate Year I Catholic School: $100 per candidate Year II Public School: $150 per candidate Year II Catholic School: $100 per candidate BAPTISM AND FIRST COMMUNION CERTIFICATES If Candidate was not Baptized or received First Communion at Ascension, please turn in copies of certificates with registration, if you have not done so in the past. CONFIRMATION SPONSORS Please see the sponsor packet for information about the role of sponsors, forms, resources, and important dates. Registration is due September 17th. 7
2012-2013 CALENDAR September 9th: Confirmation Parent Meeting, 6:30pm 16th: Youth Night Fall Kick-Off, 6:30pm 23rd: Confirmation Classes, 4pm 30th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm October 7th: All High School Youth Night, 6:30pm 14th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm 21st: Parent/Teen Night, 6:30pm 28th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm November 4th: Youth Night, 6:30pm 11th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm 18th: Thanksgiving Break 25th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm December 2nd: Youth Night, 6:30pm 9th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm 16th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm Teen & Family Christmas Party, 6:30pm 8
2012-2013 CALENDAR January 6th: Youth Night, 6:30pm 13th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm 27th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm February: 3rd: Youth Night, 6:30pm 10th: Confirmation, 4pm 17th: Parent/Teen Night, 6:30pm 24th: Confirmation, 4pm March 3rd: Youth Night, 6:30pm 10th: Confirmation, 4pm 24th: Confirmation, 4pm April 7th: Youth Night, 6:30pm 14th: Confirmation, 4pm 21st: Parent/Teen Night, 6:30pm 28th: Confirmation, 4pm 9
Ascension Youth Ministry Marie Lopez, Director (858) 279-2735/marie@ascension-sd.org 10