Confirmation Program will be a comprehensive time of preparation for families and their teenagers. You will find information below for youth who are ready to take the next step on their journey to complete their Sacraments of Initiation.
Regular youth group attendance (Sunday 6:30-8:30pm), a monthly Confirmation Session on Sunday afternoons (1-3pm), and Service and Retreat opportunities are part of this new program. Call the main office (810.635.3240) to schedule an interview with Joe Philip (jphilip@smqa.net) as soon as possible.
A description of the program as well as forms to download are found below.
Expectations of the Candidate
1. Enter the journey with a willing heart and an open mind.
2. Commit yourself to consistent personal prayer though out the journey.
3. Commit yourself to attend Mass regularly and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation frequently.
4. Attend youth group sessions, One8 Monthly Sessions, and service events
5. Participate in the Confirmation retreat.
6. Willingly engage in service to others.
7. Complete all program requirements.
8. Support and encourage other candidates on the journey.
9. Maintain an open and honest relationship with your sponsor/mentor.
10. Parents must be willing to participate in take home family activities.
The Process
Entrance Interview with Joe Philip (Youth Minister & DRE)
Interview session consists of an informal discussion to assess candidates desire to enroll in the Confirmation process. This must be scheduled before October 16th. A Study guide and Family Activity material will be provided along with schedule of important dates at this time.
Since Confirmation is an initiation deeper into the life of the Church, it is more like a decision to continue in the journey that began at baptism than it is like a graduation at the end of the journey. All Confirmation high schoolers are required therefore to make regular youth group attendance vital to their normal weekly schedule where fellowship and faith are lived out in the life of the parish. The expectation is that once Confirmed students will continue to participate and take on leadership roles in here at St. Mary’s (Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Core Team Youth members, One8 Retreat Team Leaders, etc.).
Service
Regular Service opportunities will be provided through the youth group or other parish ministries. Confirmation teens are encouraged to attend all of them, though a minimum of 2 are required. The other option for satisfying this requirement is to attend the March for life 36hr trip to Washington D.C. in January. Contact Joe Philip for more details.
One8 Sessions + T3 Gospel of Matthew and Book of Acts Bible Study
Preview:
Students will be expected to attend 7 monthly One8 Sessions starting in October. These sessions are designed just for Confirmation students and their sponsors.
During these sessions, teens and sponsors will be taking a journey through scripture, starting with the t3 DVD study of the Gosple of Matthew and finishing with the book of Acts. Having a knowledge of the Gospel and the action of the Church are vital to a dymanic life love adventure into living relationship with Jesus and His Church. Information about the format and content will be provided during the sessions and then, sponsors and candidates will be working through the series at home between one8 large group gatherings each month.
Please see below for dates and times. If sponsors can not attend, parents are invited to take their place. If Sponsors are not able to attend 5 out of 7 sessions, we may ask families to consider another Sponsor as these sessions are vital to the program.
Finally, the eighth session will be an overnight retreat held in late winter/early spring. Sponsors and parents will be expected to attend the final portion of the retreat (usually on a Sunday from 10-2pm) at a local parish or retreat center.
7 Monthly Confirmation Sessions
Sunday Oct. 16th 1-3pm
Sunday Nov. 6th 1-3pm (sponsors attend)
Sunday Dec. 11th 1-3pm (sponsors attend)
Sunday Feb. 5th 5 1-3pm (sponsors attend)
Saturday & Sunday March 3-4th - Confirmation Retreat Weekend (see below)
Sunday April 22nd 1-3pm(sponsors attend)
Sunday May 6th 1-3pm (sponsors attend)
1 Overnight Retreat
Confirmation Retreat - Acts 1:8 (One8)
March 3-4th
Location: 2040 West Carpenter Road Flint, MI 48502 (810) 591-4747, www.powerscatholic.org
Date and time of event: Sat-Sun, March 3-4th. Registration begins Sat. 9:30pm. Final Session includes Mass and lunch with parents & students Sunday 10:30AM at Powers Catholic. Retreat finishes Sunday at 2PM.
Method of Transportation: Students will have to provide their own transportation. Parents join in final session before pickup on Sunday.
Cost: $25 (scholarships available to help defer partial and full cost – don’t let cost stand in the way. Ask Joe)
Deadline for registration: Thursday, Feb 16th. Return to Youth Minister/CCD Teacher/Parish Office
Permission Form - Click Here
Flier - Click Here
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Candidates are asked to determine the name they will be using at the Rite of Confirmation and how they will use this name to help in their identity as a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church. Confirmation Candidates may choose to use their given name if it is the name (or a derivative) of the name of a Saint.
This can signify that they are confirming the faith that was given to them at their Baptism. If not, the student will choose a Saint’s name to add as their Confirmation name. This should be a Saint whom the candidate can admire and emulate. A list of resources will be provided and students should gather information on several Saints before making their choice. Adding this name signifies a new and deeper awareness of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
At the moment the sacrament of Confirmation is conferred, the candidate will stand before the bishop. The sponsor will place his or her right hand on the candidate’s shoulder and give their name to the bishop. He will then make the sign of the cross on your forehead with chrism saying, “(Confirmed Name), be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Resources On-Line
http://www.catholic.org/saints
http://www.catholic-forum.com/SAINTS/indexsnt.htm
http://www.catholic-forum.com/Saints/patron02.htm
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/byname.asp
http://www.cin.org/saints.html
It is vitally important that both parent(s) and sponsor be active in the preparation and celebration of the Sacrament of confirmation. The introduction to the Rite of confirmation says that each candidate for Confirmation must have a sponsor. The three functions listed for the sponsor are (1) bringing the candidate to receive the sacrament, (2) presenting the candidate to the minister for the anointing, and later (3) helping him/her to faithfully fulfill the promises made by their parents at Baptism.
The Rite of confirmation recommends that the Godparent at Baptism be the sponsor at Confirmation. The purpose is to clearly express the relationship of Baptism and Confirmation as Sacraments of Initiation and to make the function and the responsibility of the sponsors more obvious.
It is clearly understood that the sponsor should be a role model in leading a Catholic life. Therefore, it is expected that the sponsor, as a practicing Catholic, is leading a sacramental life and is participating in the development of his/her parish community.
There are three requirements for sponsors.
(1) He/she should be sufficiently mature
for the role, preferably 18 years of age or older.
(2) He/she must be a practicing member of the
Catholic Church, having already received the three Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and
Eucharist.
(3) He/she cannot be prohibited by cannon law from exercising the role of sponsor.
Candidates may not choose a parent as a sponsor. Though parent(s) fulfill many of the same roles as sponsors, a sponsor stands as witness and represents the Church community. A parent may act as proxy for a sponsor who, for some reason, is unable to attend the Confirmation ceremony itself.
What, then, is the role of a sponsor? A sponsor is a person of faith who will help the candidate understand the teachings of Jesus and by the example of his/her own life demonstrate how to live out those teachings.
A sponsor should be able to guide and recommend ways the candidate can be active in parish activities and ways to be of service to others. A sponsor should not be afraid to point out bad habits and to made suggestions on how they can be overcome. Therefore, the choice of sponsor should be taken very seriously.
If a sponsor can not be found, please contact Joe Philip and we will provide a sponsor here at the parish who would love to support the candidate.
Dedication Interview
Prior to Confirmation itself, students must schedule their second interview with Valerie Standley (Coordinator of Formation) that will give them an opportunity to show their knowledge of the faith they desire to be confirmed in. This is required to demonstrate dedication and comprehension of basic prayers and Catholic teaching. Study Guide will be provided. Though the nature of the interview is less like a “test” and more conversational, memorization is important and will be expected. Must be scheduled before January 22nd, 2012.
Blessing and Final interview
Before Confirmation, students will have a final interview with either Fr. Steve or Fr. Dan. This final session will be an informal discussion and prayer with one of our priests who assess and bless the candidates before they receive the Sacrament from the Bishop. Must be scheduled before March 1st, 2012.
BE LIKE CHRIST
When you are confirmed you choose
God’s side and not Satan’s.
You receive light and the power to spread light to others, so that all may praise God.
You are a witness to Christ crucified and risen, and you do not accept this limited world as your everlasting home.
You are eager to live the Gospel and do God’s will. Whether you study, labor, work, or worship, offer all as holy service, and never be ashamed to proclaim to all the world Christ being King forever.
Whatever you do, be like Christ; forgiving, serving, gentle, obedient, cooperative with legitimate authority - parents, teachers, government. Give witness when it is easy and when it is hard. Do all for the love of God, who promises you rewards beyond all your dreams.
Prayer for Confirmation Students
All powerful God, by the water and the Holy Spirit
you free your sons and daughters from sin and give them new life.
Send your Holy Spirit upon them to be their helper and guide.
Give them the spirit of wisdom, and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and courage,
the spirit of knowledge and reverence.
Fill them with wonder and awe in your presence.