Adult Confirmation Discernment Interview Introduction The process of discernment of our candidates goes beyond the use of a list of questions to get contact information and an idea of their religious backgrounds to date. Such checklists are often merely instruments to superficially determine candidates readiness for the celebration of a sacrament. If, however, we sincerely believe that we are preparing candidates to encounter Christ to bring individuals into full initiation with the Catholic Church through a special strength of the Holy Spirit, we are obliged to listen with humility to the Holy Spirit and to dialogue with candidates as we guide them through the preparation process. If the Adult Confirmation process is to move beyond intellectual formation and truly reflect the Gospel way of life, it must include a process of discernment where conversion to Jesus Christ is the goal, evidenced by a developing of values and behavior according to the Gospel. According to this vision, and using the Baptismal Catechumenate as the inspiration, the Gospel is transmitted in a threefold way: as it is known in scripture and tradition, celebrated by the assembly in its liturgy---especially the Eucharist--- and lived by the Christian community in terms of the moral conversion and social consequences demanded by discipleship to Christ. 1 This document is offered in order to assist the evaluation of these areas in each candidate s life. It is recommended that these discernment questions be distributed to the candidates some time before meeting with them 2, so as to allow some personal reflection and to elicit fuller responses than might otherwise be heard from a cold face-to-face meeting. (See attached handout, Candidate Discernment Questions, for duplication and distribution.) 1 c.f. GDC 85,86 2 A general information meeting, held at some different occasion before the discernment interview would be a good place to hand a copy of the questions.
Face-to-Face Interview Opening Prayer Open with a prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking for the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit in this process, and throughout our lives. COME, HOLY SPIRIT (FROM THE CATECHETICAL FRAMEWORK FOR LIFELONG FAITH FORMATION, P. 609) Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. OR PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Spirit of wisdom and understanding, enlighten our minds to perceive the mysteries of the universe in relation to eternity. Spirit of right judgment and courage, guide us and make us firm in our baptismal decision to follow Jesus' way of love. Spirit of knowledge and reverence, help us to see the lasting value of justice and mercy in our everyday dealings with one another. May we respect life as we work to solve problems of family and nation, economy and ecology. Spirit of God, spark our faith, hope and love into new action each day. Fill our lives with wonder and awe in your presence which penetrates all creation. Amen.
Suggested Discernment Questions A paradigm shift is at hand in our Archdiocese: We are to follow the sequence of actions/verbs cited in Matthew 28: 19-20 GO, therefore, and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, BAPTIZING THEM in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, TEACHING THEM to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. Matthew reminds us to (1) Evangelize first wherever you are; (2) baptize next to bring them into the Body of Christ; and (3) finally, catechize them throughout their lives! The discernment process for the Immediate Preparation of Adult Confirmation is guided using pre-requisite questions for lessons available in the Proximate Preparation process. Use these questions to discern a candidate s need for one or more proximate lessons with these topics as the focus: Big Idea/Theme: Growing Closer to God through Jesus Christ by means of the Spirit alive in the Church Proximate Lesson # 1 Getting to Know Jesus: True God & True Man 2 Jesus: Our Model for Prayer 3 Old Testament: The Promise of a Messiah 4 New Testament: The Fulfillment of a Messiah Discernment Questions (to be asked during the face-to-face discernment interview) Essential Questions in Lessons (frames the content for the 1 ½- hour lessons available for Proximate Preparation before the Immediate Preparation lessons begin.) If you & the candidate discern that s/he lacks sufficient understanding of faith concepts when answering these discernment questions... suggest that s/he attend the corresponding preparatory lesson. Who is Jesus Christ to you? When do you think of Him (When does He cross your mind?) How does He impact your life? What is prayer? Do you pray? If so, why do you pray? How do you pray? Who do you know that you think prays well? Explain. What do you know about the Bible? How did you learn about this Good Book of Scriptures? Do you own a Bible? When do you read/ hear it? Tell me about the OT and the NT. Do you have a favorite passage in the Bible? If so, what is it? Who is Jesus Christ and how does He invite me into a relationship with Him? How does prayer deepen my relationship with Jesus Christ? #3 - What do the covenants God made with different people and groups reveal about God and His desire for me and for all humanity? #4 - How is Jesus Christ the fulfillment of the Old Testament s promises for a Messiah who invites all of us to share in His Kingdom?
5 Paschal Mystery Rooted in Our Creed 6 The Sacraments: God s Gift of Grace 7 The Mass: Our Weekly Nourishment 8 The Beatitudes: Our Guide for Living 9 The Church: The Body of Christ 10 Our Call to Discipleship Conclusion: At Mass, we recite the Nicene Creed, formulated in the 4 th c. What is a creed? Why do Catholics say the Creed at Mass? Do you know what is meant by Paschal Mystery? Which sacraments have you received during your lifetime? How would you explain sacraments to a non-catholic friend? As Catholics, we are expected to attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days. Why does the Church have this obligation of its members? Can t we just get closer to God at home? Explain. Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes? Explain. Church has special meaning in our Catholic faith. What does Church mean to you? We were created by God to be Disciples of Christ. What does that mean to you? What is a disciple? Have you done anything in which you were being a disciple? Explain. What do we learn about Jesus Christ from The Creed, our profession of faith? How does my participation in the sacraments deepen my relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church? How does my active participation in Sunday Mass deepen my relationship with Jesus Christ and the Church? How do the Beatitudes guide me in living a more Christ-like life? How does my understanding of the Church as the Body of Christ shape my faith? Why should I be a disciple of Christ and how might I be one? Close by offering a chance for the candidate to pose any questions, express any concerns, etc. about the preparation process for Confirmation. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the grace of this time together. Tips for a fruitful discernment ---Remember: It is important to listen and allow time for people to tell their stories before assuming that they need proximate preparation sessions before beginning immediate preparation sequence of lessons. ---Having an initial general information meeting allows the opportunity to remind people seeking the sacrament of Confirmation to discern in prayer the presence of God in their lives,
and what an invitation to an encounter with Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Confirmation means for them. ---Remind potential candidates to attend and to actively participate at Mass, being attentive to God s presence in the readings, in person of the priest, in the people, and especially in the Eucharist. ---Remember: sacraments are not rewards for the perfect, but medicine and nourishment for the weak (Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium #47, in reference to the Eucharist) ---Beware of the obstacles to discernment listed below; our work in discernment consists in recognizing and facilitating for candidates an encounter with Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Confirmation, along with helping candidates recognize that the encounter calls for a life of ongoing conversion. Obstacles to Discernment (from Discernment Workshop with Sr. Miriam Malone, August 1-2,2014) (1) Savings and loan approach deposits and withdrawals.and if we deplete our account with God, we will always get a loan. That will secure our future. This is a type of materialistic approach to God, rather than the relationship approach. (2) Seeing God as a judge. Working from this mentality, we hire an attorney to plead our case; fear is the motivating factor; we work hard to impress the jury. God works out our punishment and judgment. Going to Church is seen as time served and good behavior. (3) An individualistic frame of reference, called the Elevator approach we need to realize that we are not in this alone; we have to go together; we all go straight up, but we are alone in the same space; we try not to get involved with others; sterile environment; sacramental life the fastest, easiest, efficient way to get to heaven. (4) Be aware of a Fairy Tale approach removed from reality; one-dimensional; hero & heroine are better; I must be better than others, I expect to be protected from monsters because I have a relationship from God. We get removed from culture and sensuality; a sense of passivity, waiting for our prince to come. (5) Devotional approach we earn extras (prayers, devotions, novenas) when prayers & PRACTICES to saints take over our relationship with God or our connection with social justice; when they and suppress sacramental living
Practical Tips for the Discerner (from Discernment Workshop with Sr. Miriam Malon, August 1-2,2014) ---active listening ---paraphrasing for understanding/restating what you just heard the candidate say affirms that you are an active listener ---positive reinforcement ---non-judgmental attitude ---accepting and nurturing silence (Wait time is think time.so give the candidate time to reflect and respond.) ---empathy ---willingness to pray openly with the candidate
Candidate Information Form Part I: Personal Information (please print) Full Name: (Maiden name) Address: Phone: (Day) (Evening) E-Mail Address: Date of Birth: Place of Birth: (City/State) Part II: Marital Status 1. Are you: Single Widowed (If either, skip to Part III) Are you married? Divorced? Remarried? How many times? (please complete #2 below) How many times? (please complete #2 below)
Present Spouse s Name: Present Spouse s Religion: In your present marriage: Were you married by a Priest/Deacon?? If not married by Priest/Deacon, by whom: Name: Title: Place: Date of Marriage: 2. If divorced/remarried: Name(s) & religion(s) of previous spouse(s): (a) Name Religion Was this spouse previously married? How many times: (b) Name Religion Was this spouse previously married? How many times: (c) Name Religion Was this spouse previously married? How many times:
PART III: Children Name(s) : Age: Religion: Age: Religion: Age: Religion: Age: Religion: PART IV: Sacrament Information Baptism: PLEASE ATTACH A COPY OF YOUR BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE (ISSUED AND DATED WITHIN PAST SIX (6) MONTHS) Eucharist: Date of First Holy Communion: Place (Church): City/State: PART V: CONFIRMATION SPONSOR INFORMATION (Please refer to attached Sponsor Guidelines - Sponsor must complete and sign attached Sponsor Form) Name: Address:
Candidate Discernment Questions Handout for Candidates: Before you meet with a parish representative to begin your preparation for the celebration of Confirmation, please review these questions that will be discussed during the face-to-face interview. Reflect over them, pray over them, and be ready to share your thoughts, as well as any other questions you might have about your preparation for Confirmation. 1. Who is Jesus Christ to you? When do you think of Him (When does He cross your mind?) How does He impact your life? 2. What is prayer? Do you pray? If so, why do you pray? How do you pray? Who do you know that you think prays well? Explain. 3. What do you know about the Bible? How did you learn about this Good Book of Scriptures? Do you own a Bible? When do you read/ hear it? Tell me about the Old Testament and the New Testament. Do you have a favorite passage in the Bible? If so, what is it? 4. At Mass, we recite the Nicene Creed, formulated in the 4 th c. What is a creed? Why do Catholics say the Creed at Mass? Do you know what is meant by Paschal Mystery? 5. Which sacraments have you received during your lifetime? How would you explain sacraments to a non-catholic friend? 6. As Catholics, we are expected to attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days. Why does the Church have this obligation of its members? Can t we just get closer to God at home? Explain. 7. Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes? Explain. 8. Church has special meaning in our Catholic faith. What does Church mean to you? 9. We were created by God to be Disciples of Christ. What does that mean to you? What is a disciple? Have you done anything in which you were being a disciple? Explain. 10. What questions do YOU have at this time in your faith journey?