Come, Holy Spirit, Come Bless these Candidates and their Sponsors Holy Face Parish 2016-2017
Confirmation Preparation Book for student and sponsor Directions The purpose of this book is to bring you to a greater understanding of your faith and enhance the special relationship with your sponsor as you prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. The Role of a Candidate: Pray often. Attend formation as required. Ask questions to achieve greater understanding. Find a role model when you look for a saint that inspires you. The Role of a Sponsor: Pray often. Attend formation if possible when invited by the candidate or parish. Serve as a witness when the parish asks if the candidate is ready for confirmation. Answer questions and don t be afraid if you have to find the answer together. Be a role model when you exemplify the cardinal and spiritual virtues. The completed book will be turned in at the Confirmation Retreat and returned to you. 2
God created you because He loves you. You and your sponsor are very special. Talk with your sponsor about the things that make each of you special and unique. My Sponsor says I am special because. I think my sponsor is special because. This time of preparation provides you with the opportunity to reflect on your connection to the parish and your relationships. What are some talents you have that you can use to serve Christ and help others? Write the things you and your sponsor will do together to make this year sacred. My sponsor and I will 3
You make a statement with the clothes you wear and the music you listen to, you make a statement by praying and living the Creed. You are stepping out into the world, telling everyone that you are Catholic and identifying yourself as a believer. The 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 with 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 and 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. Why is it important for you to be Catholic? What do you think is one of the greatest challenges to being Catholic? Ask your sponsor for advice about living as a faithful disciple. What are three examples of how you encounter each Person of the Trinity in your life? I encounter God the Father when I encounter Jesus Christ, his Son when I encounter the Holy Spirit when 4
Jesus gave us seven sacraments, powerful signs of grace and the most important signs of God s presence in your life. They help you realize that there is more to life than simply satisfying your own desires. They make present the grace you need to use your time, talent, and energy for the benefit of God and others. Next to each sacrament, describe how we receive grace through each one. Sacraments of Initiation Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Sacraments of Healing Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick Sacraments of Service Marriage Holy Orders 5
You have already been baptized, it was the day you joined God s community of followers. Ask a parent to tell you about your Baptism and show you pictures. Write about or draw a picture of your baptism and add a family photo. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we tell God we are sorry for our sins and ask for forgiveness. How do you feel when you have asked for and received forgiveness? Write your thoughts or draw a picture. Forgiveness makes me feel Examine Conscience, Confession, Contrition, Absolution, Penance Ask your sponsor: Do you think it is important to receive the sacrament of reconciliation regularly? Why? 6
Jesus gave us the Eucharist at the Last Supper as a memorial of his death and resurrection. Eucharist means Thanksgiving. We thank God for all that he has done for us. Write a thank you prayer to God for all his gifts, especially Jesus in the Eucharist. 7
God s laws let us know the acts that lead to eternal happiness and those acts that turn us away from him and his love. The 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes: the same or different? Fill in the blanks. Talk with your sponsor about why we received these ideas from mountain tops. Commandments 1. I am the Lord, your God. You shall not have other besides me. 2. You shall not take the in vain. 3. Remember to keep holy the. 4. your father and your mother. 5. You shall not. 6. You shall not adultery. 7. You shall not. 8. You shall not against your neighbor. 9. You shall not your neighbor s wife. 10. You shall not covet your. Beatitudes Blessed are the, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be. Blessed are the, for thy will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who and for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive. Blessed are the, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be of God. Blessed are those who are for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 8
Interview your sponsor and write how you each felt about these questions. 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? What is your favorite Scripture passage and/or story? Why? Who has been a good role model for you to live according to your Catholic faith? What has he/she taught you or shown you? How has he/she deepened your faith? 9
Go in Peace to love and Serve the Lord Jesus loves us so much He gives Himself to us. Now you must bring Jesus to others and share our joy. The only real way to celebrate the received Eucharist is to live the Eucharist. Think about your actions and the choices you make every day to serve the Lord. Write or draw what you will do. I will serve the Lord at home by I will serve the Lord at school by I will serve the Lord at play by 10
The gifts of the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen you. Write the definition of these gifts and think about how they play a part in your life. Piety (Reverence) Understanding Counsel (Right Judgment) Knowledge Wisdom Fortitude (Courage) Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe) 11
All who are confirmed are equipped with the gifts of the Holy Spirit to live a virtuous and holy life, and are sent forth to bear much fruit. The fruits of the spirit strengthen confirmed Christians to carry out their vocations for the good of others and the benefit of the Church and the world. Create a symbol or phrase to represent these fruits of the spirit. Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Generosity Gentleness Faithfulness Modesty Self-Control Chastity 12
When Jesus taught us how to pray, He said the Lord s Prayer. Use this page to think about how well you live what you pray. Reflect on the Lord s Prayer with your sponsor. Ask them when and how they pray. Is it ever difficult to pray? Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by 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. I cannot say OUR if I keep my faith only to myself and never share it with others. I cannot say FATHER if I do not trust in His loving and complete concern for me, forgetting that He always answers prayers how and when He knows is best. I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if I am so attached to the ways of this world that I neglect to seek God first in everything. I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I am unwilling to let His holiness penetrate my life and help me grow in my own holiness. I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am not using my life to bring His love into the world. I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I live by my own ideas of morality or choose to follow the world s standards. I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN if I am not devoting my life to serving Him here on earth. I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD if I am not willing to be generous with whatever God give me. I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES if I don t want to put forth enough effort to change. I cannot say AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I still hold a grudge, if I m still angry, or it I still insist that other people change. I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately or knowingly place myself in a position to be tempted. I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I m not actively fighting against evil through deeds of love and service for everyone in my life, especially those who cause problems. 13
Ask your sponsor if they have a special way of thinking of Mary. Discuss the difference between honor and worship. Keep in mind that we honor, not worship, Mary in these prayers. Our petitions to her are always meant to help us to do our Lord s will. As St. Bernard once said the more she is honored, the greater is the glory of her Son. HAIL MARY Hail Mary, full of grace, The Lord is with Thee; Blessed art 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. HAIL HOLY QUEEN Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, Our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement O loving O sweet Virgin Mary. MEMORARE REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. 14
Reflections on the Confirmation Retreat Consider the prayers and activities you participated in today, write or draw your thoughts about the day. Write at least one way you have changed or grown in your faith over the last few months as you have prepared for the sacrament of Confirmation. 15