Confirmation Handbook 2016-2017 Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation Wisdom Understanding Knowledge Courage Reverence Right Judgment 1 Wonder & Awe
Prayer to the Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Oración al Espíritu Santo. Ven, Espíritu Santo, llena los corazones de nuestros fieles y enciende en ellos el fuego de tu amor. Envíes tu espíritu y deberán ser creadas; y usted deberá renovar la faz de la tierra. Oh Dios, tienes que insructed los corazones de los fieles por la luz del Espíritu Santo. Grant que por el mismo Espíritu Santo podemos ser verdaderamente sabio y nunca se regocijan en tu consuelo, por Cristo nuestro señor. Amén. Contact Information: Julie Niemeyer dbqwcfs@dbqarch.org jniemeyerff@gmail.com 319-234-9912 Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation website: www.waterloocatholics.org 2
The Sacrament of Confirmation Process and Schedule PHASE ONE: 2 years of high school theology classes: Offered through Columbus High or CORE Candidate/Parent Information Meeting in September of Junior year PHASE TWO: Immediate Preparation: Retreat: Sunday, October 2. Noon - 5 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Parish Center (and attendance at a Mass in your parish prior to the retreat) Four (4) Metro Sessions/Classes For Sunday Sessions, candidates are strongly encouraged to attend the parish Mass that precedes the class session. 1. Candidate & Sponsor Wednesday, Nov. 9 @ 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. St. Edward Parish Hall OR Sunday, Nov. 13 @ Noon 2 p.m. St. Edward Parish Hall 2. Candidate Sunday, January 8 @ 10:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. Queen of Peace Scallon Hall OR Wednesday, January 11 @ 6:30-8:30 Queen of Peace Scallon Hall 3. Candidate Wednesday, Feb. 8 @ 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sacred Heart O Hagan Hall OR Sunday, Feb. 12 @ Noon 2 p.m. Sacred Heart O Hagan Hall 4. Candidate & Sponsor Sunday, March 5 @ Noon 2 p.m. Blessed Sacrament Parish Center OR Wednesday, March 8 @ 6:30-8:30 p.m. Blessed Sacrament Parish Center Service: 15 hours (from Summer 2016 through mid-february 2017) PHASE THREE: Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation Confirmation Mass Sunday, April 2, 2017 @ 2:00 p.m. Columbus Catholic High School Gym; Archbishop Jackels presiding 3
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION EXPECTATIONS Waterloo Parishes CANDIDATE RESPONSIBILITIES: Have a desire and readiness to participate in the Confirmation process Be a baptized, practicing Catholic who attends weekly Mass Be at least sixteen years old Fulfill basic theology requirements through Columbus High School or C.O.R.E. Choose a qualified sponsor Registration fee of $50 Participate in metro retreat on October 2, 2016 Attend all metro sessions/classes Complete and reflect on a minimum of 15 hours of service by mid-february Write Faith Story paper. 500 word minimum; due at March meeting RECORDS NEEDED: A baptismal record is necessary for Confirmation. If the candidate was baptized OR received First Communion at one of the four Waterloo parishes, this document is already recorded in the church books. No need to provide any certificate. If the candidate was baptized and/or received First Communion in another parish and you have the baptismal certificate, please make us a copy. If you do not have the certificate, you need to contact the church where baptism was celebrated and request a copy of the baptism record. PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBITIES: Give continuous support and encouragement to candidates Encourage the candidate to reflect on the decision to receive the sacrament Assist the candidate in choosing a sponsor Attend Mass together Be involved in each phase; attend session in place of candidate if he/she cannot attend Attend class session in place of sponsor if he/she cannot attend Offer Christian witness 4
Overview of Immediate Preparation for Confirmation Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be done on a metro level. However involvement with parish life is also necessary. Regular worship with your parish community, participation in parish events, and finding ways to serve and contribute to the well-being of your parish will help you grow in faith and enrich your preparation for the sacrament. Retreat Class #1 Rite of Enrollment at a Mass in your parish Retreat Experience Noon to 5:00 p.m. Turn in Sponsor s Name and Contact Information Candidate and Sponsor attend; try to attend Mass together before the class. Topics: Candidate & Sponsor Roles; Gifts of the Holy Spirit Class #2 Candidate attends. Topics: Sacraments, Sacraments of Initiation. Prayer and Spirituality Class #3 Candidate attends. Topics: What Makes us Catholic, Creed, Parish Life Turn in Confirmation Name with reflection paragraph Class #4 Candidate and Sponsor attend; try to attend Mass together before the class. Topics: Sharing Faith Story; the Confirmation Rite; Beyond the Celebration Turn in Faith Story Turn in Service Hour list and written reflection The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated during Mass at Columbus Catholic High School with the Archbishop as presider. 5
CONFIRMATION SPONSOR ROLE OF THE SPONSOR: Assist in the preparation for the sacrament by talking with the candidate about the process Provide positive witness as a person of faith Help the candidate fulfill his/her baptismal promise under the influence of the Holy Spirit Attend Confirmation Sessions #1 and #4 (if at all possible) Attend the metro Mass with the candidate on April 2, 2017 REQUIREMENTS: In choosing qualified sponsor for confirmation, please use the following requirements as a guide when making your final decision. The sponsor must: 1. Be a Confirmed Catholic 2. Be a practicing Catholic who regularly attends Mass and receives the sacraments 3. Be willing and able to assist the candidate in the Confirmation process, especially through their attendance at the Candidate/Sponsor Sessions. (In the case of a sponsor who cannot attend one or more class session, the candidate s parent may attend.) ALSO: 4. The sponsor may be one of the candidate s godparents. This emphasizes that Confirmation completes the initiation begun in Baptism. 5. Parents may NOT be sponsors. However, parents are encouraged to offer guidance to candidates when choosing a sponsor. 6. Ideally, the sponsor would be a member of the parish community who can share the faith journey with the candidate. HOW TO CHOOSE A SPONSOR: A few things to consider... Is the sponsor a person who is a good example of Christian values? Is the sponsor a person who is committed to his/her faith community? Has the sponsor grown in his/her faith over the years? Do they work to foster a relationship with Jesus? Is the sponsor willing to share his/her own faith experience and commitment with the candidate? Is the sponsor someone the candidate knows, respects, and will keep contact with on a regular basis in the years ahead? 6
CHOOSING A CONFIRMATION NAME As a candidate for the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation, you have two options concerning the choice of a Confirmation name. Stay with your present baptismal name (your regular first name). This shows the sacramental connection with the first and second part of your initiation into the Catholic Church. Using your baptismal name demonstrates that you feel there has been a continual growth in your faith, and you now wish to make this formal through Confirmation. OR Choose a saint s name. Doing this symbolizes a new beginning that your faith life is taking as well as a connection with that particular saint. This is especially true if you felt that you have not been particularly strong in your faith and now you are making a renewed commitment to your faith. Your new name would signify that in some ways you are a new person. The particular name chosen would represent the direction that you feel your faith life is taking, or it might represent an attribute that you feel you need. It is important and necessary to learn something about the saint you choose before you decide on that name. Remember, there are lots of saints who are not canonized. Perhaps it is a relative who lived (or is living) a holy, saintly life. This option of taking a new name is not to be used because you like the sound of the name or how it fits with your given name. Complete the form below and bring to Session #3 in February. An electronic version will be e- mailed to candidates and can be returned via e-mail to jniemeyerff@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Confirmation Name My name is : (First) (Middle) (Last) I am choosing to take the name. I understand that at the Confirmation celebration, the Archbishop will call me by this name as I am sealed and signed with Holy Chrism oil. Please write a paragraph on the back to explain why you are choosing to take the name you have designated. 7
DEVELOPING A FAITH STORY A faith story is your personal account of how God had worked in your life. It is a way for you to give thanks for, give witness to, and let others know how God has worked in your life. Have confidence that God has worked in you! Let him use you so he can work in the lives of others. To prepare a faith story, begin by reflecting on the following questions. Write down everything that comes to you. v What are some ways that I have experienced God in my life? v In what areas have I seen a change in my life because of my faith in and relationship with God? v When I asked for help, how did God respond? v What have I learned that others can relate to? What part did God play in what I have learned? THEN organize your thoughts using the steps given below. 1. A picture your life before your conversion (from childhood until now). v Describe something of your relationships: persons, places, and events that formed you in faith. v What were your images of God/Jesus? v Own up to the mistakes you have made, bad choices you have made. v State how you think God has been present in your life even at times when you were unaware of his presence. 2. Conversion point. Have you hade a moment of conversion in your life? A time when you were able to see or come to understand God s presence more fully? A turning point? Describe the moment(s). v What circumstances caused you to turn to God? v What did other people say or do that caused you to turn to God? v Why did you decide to trust God? v What did you say? v What did you do? v How did God respond? 3. A picture of your life now. v Give examples that show concrete ways your life has changed. The truth is that once God has worked in your life, you are not the same. Your life is different better, more complete, happier, more peaceful. But you are not perfect, nor is your live perfect. You will still have struggles and problems. To describe how an experience changed you was a moment of conversion, you may want to use phrases such as, That was the first step for me... That day was a new beginning for me... I was not the same after that day. I began to... v Conclude with a paragraph about where you are in your faith journey TODAY. What are your hopes and plans for continuing to grow in your relationship with God/Jesus beyond Confirmation. Your Faith Story should be a minimum of 500 words. Type-written, please. Bring to the March Confirmation class to share with your Sponsor before handing in. 8
SERVICE HOURS Service is a fundamental part of our life of faith. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works. (James 2:14-17) Providing service is your opportunity to show that you believe in Jesus and what He taught us by your actions and deeds. You need to complete 15 hours of service as part of your Confirmation preparation. These are volunteer service hours, something you are not paid to do. You are encouraged to provide some or all of the service in your parish, but it can also be service to your community, neighborhood, or family. You may count any service completed June, 2016 through mid- February, 2017. Fill in the table found in this Handbook or find the table on-line at http://waterloocatholics.org/youthconfirmation. A fillable version will be e-mailed to candidates as well. SERVICE REFLECTION As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10. Think about how your service experiences reflect one or more of the Works of Mercy. If you re not exactly sure, read more about them here. http://www.lovingjustwise.com/the_works_of_mercy.htm 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 Counsel the doubtful. Instruct the ignorant. Admonish the sinner. Comfort the sorrowful. Forgive injuries. Bear wrongs patiently. Pray for the living and the dead. Choose one of your service experiences and write a one-page reflection about it. Write this reflection in letter form as if you are writing it to God. After all, our gifts and talents come from him! Your letter could start with being thankful for what you have been given, and then tell how you shared that gift and what you learned from the experience. The list below can guide your writing. Tell about your service experience. Where did you serve? Who were you with? Who did you serve? When did you feel most engaged in your work? Tell which Corporal or Spiritual Work of Mercy you practiced when you did your service. (It could be more than one.) Explain the connection. Describe one way you experienced God s presence through your service work and/or the people you served. Explain how you think your actions made a difference for yourself or others. Be sure to sign your letter! Bring it to class session #4 in March. 9
Gifts of the Holy Spirit At Baptism, we receive seven special gifts from the Holy Spirit. These gifts are freely given to us to help us live as followers of Jesus and to build up the Body of Christ, the Church. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed and strengthened within us at Confirmation. These seven gifts help us to respond to the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to make good choices, and to serve God and others. Wisdom is the gift of knowing the right choices to make to live a holy life. The gift of wisdom helps you to avoid the things that could lead you away from God. Understanding is the gift of comprehension, or the ability to grasp the meaning of the teachings of the Church. The gift of understanding helps you be tolerant and sympathetic of others. It helps you sense when someone is hurting or in need of compassion. Right Judgment, or Counsel, is the gift of prudence. The gift of right judgment helps you make choices to live as a faithful follower of Jesus. Courage, or Fortitude, is the gift that helps you stand up for your faith in Christ. The gift of courage helps you overcome any obstacles that would keep you from practicing your faith. Knowledge is the gift of knowing and enlightenment. The gift of knowledge enables you to choose the right path that will lead you to God. It encourages you to avoid obstacles that will keep you from him. Reverence, or Piety, is the gift of confidence in God. This gift of reverence inspires you to joyfully want to serve God and others. Wonder and Awe, or Fear of the Lord is the gift of wonder and respect that encourages you to be in awe of God. The gift of wonder and awe moves you to so love God that you do not want to offend him by your words or actions. 10
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1285 Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation," whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. 89 For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." 90 1315 "Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:14-17). 1316 Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds. 1317 Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this reason one can receive this sacrament only once in one's life. 1318 In the East this sacrament is administered immediately after Baptism and is followed by participation in the Eucharist; this tradition highlights the unity of the three sacraments of Christian initiation. In the Latin Church this sacrament is administered when the age of reason has been reached, and its celebration is ordinarily reserved to the bishop, thus signifying that this sacrament strengthens the ecclesial bond. 1319 A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs. 1320 The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism (in the East other sense-organs as well), together with the laying on of the minister's hand and the words: "Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti" (Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.) in the Roman rite, or: Signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti [the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit] in the Byzantine rite. 1321 When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism, its connection with Baptism is expressed, among other ways, by the renewal of baptismal promises. The celebration of Confirmation during the Eucharist helps underline the unity of the sacraments of Christian initiation. 89 Cf. Romn Ritual, Rite of Confirmation (OC), Introduction 1. 11
Confirmation Sponsor Complete this form and bring it to the Confirmation Retreat. Please print clearly. Candidate Name: Sponsor s Name: Sponsor s Address: Street City State Zip Sponsor s E-Mail Address: 12