Confirmation Parent Handbook Year 1
Table of Contents Contact Information... 2 Confirmation Overview..... 3 As Catholics... 4 PSR Calendar..... 5 Curriculum, Attendance, and Parochial Students.. 7 Requirements for Year 1.... 9 Works of Mercy Log... 11 Knowledge Check...... 13 Life Teen....... 15 Contact Us Ryan Cottrill- Director of Youth Ministry & Confirmation Email: ryanc@stcatherinercc.org Phone: 678.385.9433 Joan Hennes- Director of Religious Education Email: joanh@stcatherinercc.org Phone: 770.428.7139 Find Us sclifeteen.weebly.com stcatherinercc.org Instagram: sclifeteen / #sclifeteen stcatherineofsienapsr Facebook: St. Catherine of Siena Life Teen St. Catherine of Siena PSR 2
Confirmation Overview Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire St. Catherine of Siena The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace (CCC 1285). This sacrament truly represents what it means to take responsibility for and ownership of the faith. The Catechism continues, It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost (CCC 1302). This sealing of the Holy Spirit truly marks us as disciples of Christ. Because of the implications that accompany this abandonment of the spirit of the world for the spirit of God, it is our desire that the teens receive this sacrament with an understanding of how tremendous this step in their faith journey is. Therefore, we do ask that teens complete the requirements for the Confirmation program that are outlined in this handbook. The Archbishop of Atlanta does ask for two requirements to be met: 1) Two years of foundational preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. 2) A period of intense formation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our two years of foundational preparation occur through Year 1 (9 th grade) and Year 2 (10 th grade) Confirmation classes. Faithfully attending weekly classes helps to fulfill the first requirement of the Archbishop. The intense formation for the sacrament of Confirmation is satisfied through the Day of Reflection (completed in Year 1) and the Confirmation Retreat (completed in Year 2). 3
What the Church Asks of Us as Catholics Parents: You are absolutely crucial in this formation process because faith begins in the home. One hour per week at Confirmation class is not enough to ensure that your teen has a chance at a strong spiritual life. Let s work together to give your teens a fighting chance at communion with Christ. Any parish faith formation program is meant to supplement what is being taught at home as well as what is being taught during Sunday Liturgy. What we ask of both parents and teens is the same as what the Catholic Church asks of every Catholic: Five Precepts of the Church There are 5 Precepts of the Church that are the very necessary minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor: 1) Mass Every Week First and foremost, going to Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass every week and attending all Holy Days of Obligation is essential. 2) Reconciliation Because of the healing power of Reconciliation, the more often that we receive this sacrament the better off we will be. However, we are to receive this sacrament at least once a year. 3) Eucharist We must receive the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ in the Holy Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter Season. 4) Fasting We are asked to observe days of fasting and days of abstaining from meat. 5) Support the Church Each of us are called to assist with the material needs of the Church according to our own ability. Mass Times Saturday Vigil: 4:30 PM Sunday: 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM Spanish, 5:00 PM Life Teen Confession Times Saturday: 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM Holy Days of Obligation January 1 st August 15 th November 1 st December 8 th December 25 th the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary the solemnity of All Saints the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ 4
CONFIRMATION CALENDAR 2016-2017 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thrs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thrs Fri Sat AUG SEPT 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 JAN 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 OCT 29 30 31 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 FEB 1 2 3 4 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 30 31 26 27 28 NOV 1 2 3 4 5 MAR 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 DEC 1 2 3 APRIL 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SUNDAY CLASSES WEDNESDAY CLASSES MAY May 7 May 3 5
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Curriculum We are excited to be using new curriculum this year called Decision Point. Matthew Kelly (author of Rediscovering Catholicism) has developed this Confirmation Program as a response to the reality that more and more Catholics are not practicing within years of receiving the sacrament of Confirmation. One of the greatest aspects to this new program is that all of the resources including the student workbook and the videos shown in class can be accessed for free at http://dynamiccatholic.com/confirmation/view-program Attendance Attendance will be taken at each class. If your student does miss a class, it is not the end of the world. Please contact me at ryanc@stcatherinercc.org so that your student can go online and make up the content that was discussed in class. If I am not aware that your teen is making up the material at home, then when I view the attendance and see missed classes then I am going to assume that there is an issue. Please help me out by communicating and keeping me informed. Also, please be aware that reading the content at home is not the same as being present in class if it was then we wouldn t have class at the Church at all. Discussing the content with their peers is a great way to help your teen take ownership of their Catholic religion. This will help their faith to become one that is personal rather than a collection of rules and truths. Parochial Students The Bishop s Office for the Archdiocese of Atlanta asks that teenagers attending Catholic High School still receive the sacrament of Confirmation at their home parish. Participation in parish life is a hugely important part of faith development. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) states in their document on the Church, The parish is where the Church lives. Parishes are communities of faith, of action, and of hope. They are where the Gospel is proclaimed and celebrated, where believers are formed and sent to renew the earth. (Taken from Communities of Salt and Light, p. 1) Because of your commitment to Catholic Education and your student s participation in Religion Class at their Catholic High School, your teenager is not required to participate in the weekly Confirmation classes. 7
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Year 1 Requirements for Confirmation 1) Day of Reflection The 9 th grade Day of Reflection is a mandatory part of the Year 1 Confirmation program. The goal of this day is to help prepare teens for Year 2 of Confirmation class. It will be offered on Sunday, April 30 th starting at 8:30 AM and ending at noon. Parent volunteers are greatly appreciated! 2) Works of Mercy Service Hours As an additional component for Year 1 of the Confirmation Program, we require all students to complete 10 hours of service. If possible, we would like to encourage that half of the service hours be completed at St. Catherine of Siena and half of the service hours be completed outside of the Parish. What this does is help reinforce the idea of service within the immediate community of Christ along with the idea of service amongst the larger community of Christ. On the next page, you will see a blank Works of Mercy Log. If you need ideas for how to earn Works of Mercy, please visit us online at: http://sclifeteen.weebly.com/works-of-mercy-service-opportunities.html 3) Online Component In order to streamline some of the paperwork/document gathering process, we are implementing an online component to the 9 th Grade Year 1 program for Confirmation. This component will need to be completed by September of 2017 and more details will be sent your way as soon as they are available. 9
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Confirmation Works of Mercy Hours Student Name: Year 1 or Year 2: Date of Service: Location of Service: Number of Hours: What did you do? Why did you choose this? Which Works of Mercy did your service fulfill? (circle all that apply) Corporal Works of Mercy: Feed the Hungry Give Drink to the Thirsty Shelter the Homeless Visit the Sick Visit the Prisoners Bury the Dead Give Alms to the Poor Spiritual Works of Mercy: Counseling the Doubtful Instructing the Ignorant Admonishing the Sinner Comforting the Sorrowful Forgiving Injuries Bearing Wrongs Patiently Praying for the Living and the Dead Did you enjoy serving others in the community? Why or why not? What did you gain from your service? Supervisor s Name: Supervisor s Title: Supervisor s Signature: Contact Phone Number or Email: 11
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Knowledge Check Pope Saint John Paul II emphasized the importance of memorization in faith in conjunction with the gradual learning and growth in the understanding of the teachings and texts that the faithful are memorizing. The Knowledge Check is not something that is designed to be stressful. It is a gauge to be used to see where the teens stand in knowing the basics of the faith. It is something that will be given during a regularly scheduled class in the spring. The following is a review guide (The answers can all be found at http://sclifeteen.weebly.com/knowledgecheck.html). What are the Precepts of the Church? 1. Attend Mass on Sunday s and Holy Days of Obligation 2. Go to Reconciliation at least once a year 3. Receive the Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter season 4. Observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church 5. Help provide for the material needs of the Church according to your ability. What are the Holy Days of Obligation? January 1 st the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God August 15 th the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary November 1 st the solemnity of All Saints December 8 th the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception December 25 th the solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ List the 10 Commandments. 1. You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain 3. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy 4. Honor your father and your mother 5. You shall not kill 6. You shall not commit adultery 7. You shall not steal 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor 9. You shall not covet your neighbor s wife 10. You shall not covet your neighbor s goods. List the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1. Wisdom 2. Understanding 3. Counsel 4. Knowledge 5. Fortitude 6. Piety 7. Fear of the Lord 13
What is a Sacrament? A sacrament is an outward sign of inner grace. List the Seven Sacraments Sacraments of Initiation 1. Baptism 2. Eucharist 3. Confirmation Sacraments of Healing 4. Reconciliation 5. Anointing of the Sick Sacraments of Service 6. Matrimony 7. Holy Orders List the 4 Marks (Pillars) of the Church: 1. One 2. Holy 3. Catholic 4. Apostolic 14
St. Catherine of Siena What is Life Teen? In the Department of Youth Ministry, one of the most incredible opportunities that we offer is the Life Teen Program. Completely optional and 100% independent from the Confirmation Program, Life Teen is a place where High School teens can gather as a community in Christ and come to know Jesus on a personal level. Through Life Nights, Retreats, ALT, and Conferences there are a plethora of platforms where our CORE Team of adults perform relational ministry. Our goal is to help teens dive as deep as they want to in relationship with our Savior. Where & When do we meet? Life Teen meets Sunday nights after the 5 PM Mass starting August 28 th and continuing through May. A calendar of our Life Nights and other events can be found on our website: http://sclifeteen.weebly.com 5:00-6:00 PM Life Teen Mass in the Main Sanctuary 6:15-6:45 PM Dinner in School Cafe 6:45-8:15 PM Life Teen Meetings in Herbert Hall 15