Be Sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit!
Confirmation: 2 nd Sacrament of Initiation Confirmation is a sacramental journey of Theology. It was around 500 A.D. when baptism and confirmation were separated, and then in 1200 A.D. when it was postponed until age 7. Since then, the sacrament has undergone much scrutiny by popes, bishops, priest, and lay people alike. Unlike the typical understanding of this sacrament of initiation, the purpose of a Confirmation program is NOT to test our knowledge about the Church. Rather, the current Theology of this Sacrament is to encourage the Confirmandi (and those present through the whole process) to claim ownership of the Church and the community they joined at Baptism. The initial purpose of the Sacrament of Confirmation was to seal in the rites and gifts of the Holy Spirit which were first received at Baptism. Ages ago, the community priest baptized the adult (or child) and when the bishop was able to come around to the towns, he would confirm (strengthen) and seal in the Baptism. Now we look at Confirmation as an opportunity to deepen a students faith by: 1) Inviting them to be aware of the Spirit s action and presence in their lives 2) Allowing them to recognize their unique gifts and talents 3) Providing an atmosphere which allows students to understand their life mission and calling proclaimed centuries ago in the Gospel If Confirmation is the 2 nd Sacrament of Initiation, what is the 3 rd? Ironically, it is the Sacrament we receive 2 nd and celebrate every single Sunday Eucharist! It is through Mass and receiving Eucharist that the faithful are nourished and strengthened. We are transformed into a more loving and united community of believers each week! In Confirmation, students simply strengthen their commitment to the community to which they already belong. It is also a parish community celebration to provide an opportunity for members of the parish family to renew their baptismal commitment. Through Confirmation, the Holy Spirit seals and strengthens the gifts ALREADY present in a student through baptism. Yet, this Sacrament offers a fuller opportunity to live out these gifts of the Holy Spirit: wonder & awe, reverence, right Judgment, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, & courage. Students also learn about the fruits of the Holy Spirit to better live those in their lives: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. Archdiocese: Year of the Sacraments 2014-2015 The archdiocese will be offering a special emphasis on the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation. Continue to seek out our gems of grace in the Catholic Church. Take some extra time as a family to utilize these Sacraments and to acknowledge the blessings of our Catholic faith. As we would expect of all practicing Catholics, attendance at Mass is central to who we are to support each other, pray as a community, and receive the Eucharist. The gift we have, that no other religious faith proclaims, is our belief in the Eucharist that the bread and wine BECOMES the Body and Blood of Christ. If God is all powerful and can work miracles, imagine what God can do within us each week if we take the time to receive God more fully into our hearts and offer thanksgiving for the gifts of our life. God WILL work wonders through our open heart.
REQUIREMENTS All Confirmandi must concurrently be enrolled in either Ascension Grade School or Ascension RE for the entirely of 7 th -8 th grade to be part of the Confirmation process. 1) Faithful commitment to the Ascension faith community through active participation in and weekly presence at Mass. 2) Attendance @ all monthly Confirmation meetings along with completion of assignments and reflections 3) FAITH BOOSTERS: Attend 1 Taize service between now and March 2015 Chose 3 other personal options & write your reflections 4) CORE SERVICE: Call to Discipleship 1 small group project to be completed (3 5 hours) 2-3 other individual projects to be completed (5 9 hours) Reflections turned in for each project 5) Spirit Days Two days are set aside in the Fall for the Confirmandi s retreat experience. Both t.b.a days are necessary and a unique way to formally conclude this part of their faith preparation. 6) Final Interview: to take place next Fall 7) October 2015 events: Possible Penance Service Confirmandi/Sponsor Vigil Confirmation Mass
October 9 th Session Dates & Topics for Confirmation 2015 Unless noted otherwise, small groups will meet once a month on Thursday evenings from 7 8:30pm in the Pine Room. Gotta Have Faith Assignment given: All about Me!, due on Nov 20 th November 13 th Mission of the Church Assignment: Sponsor Form completed, due on Dec 18th December 18 th Image of God Assignment given: Who is Jesus to Me?, due on Jan 15th January 11 th Rite of Enrollment During Mass time, more info to come In January students will be encouraged to START & CONTINUE a weekly Scripture journal using Sunday readings. Information will be given about this in January along with handouts to aid in this process. January 15 th Mission Impossible what does it mean to accept? Special speaker(s) coming to this session Please have at least one(1) service project turned in at this time Please have at least one (1) Faith Booster reflection turned in at this time Assignment given: I Believe, due on February 19 th February 19 th We Believe If you have not yet attended Taize, this is a requirement for the March session. Please make sure to attend the Friday March 6 th Taize service from 7:30 9pm March 19 th Can I Tweet God? (individual prayer styles)
April 16 th Become what you receive Eucharist Please have one more service project turned by this date Please have one more Faith Booster reflection turned at this time May 14 th May 23 rd My Travel Guide: Sponsor/Confirmandi meeting! Project given which is a combined Sponsor/Confirmed assignment Pentecost Mass, more info to come June - August Time to connect with Sponsors & complete service projects and Faith booster experiences if that has not yet been done or just keep on being an awesome Christian disciple! **Please turn in final service projects and Faith Booster reflections over the summer as both are completed September t.b.a Spirit Day #1: Gifts of the Spirit Scavenger Hunt (away) This FULL day away (most likely again at Brookfield Zoo) is a required day which combines the final monthly confirmation session and begins their retreat experience. Time of the event will be approximately 10am 4pm and will take place on either a Saturday or Sunday. Date will be announced this coming spring. September or October t.b.a Spirit Day #2: Sustained by Grace (away) This is a required day which is a completion of their retreat experience. Time of the event will be approximately 10am 4pm and will take place on a Saturday. September October Individual Interviews October t.b.a Possible Reconciliation Service for Confirmandi This would take place on a weekday evening from 7:30 9pm October 23 rd October 24 th Confirmation Sponsor Vigil Confirmation Mass & Reception