Welcome to Confirmation

1. Welcome to Confirmation

2. Parents, Thank you for viewing this PowerPoint show on our Confirmation program. Please read through the Confirmation packet available on the website and call or e-mail us if you have any questions. Thank you for your support. Leann Jerkins

3. What is Confirmation? • Sacrament of Initiation • Fulfills Baptismal promise • Is necessary for completion of baptismal grace • The responsibility of the entire Faith Community

4. Confirmation IS NOT… • A graduation • About becoming an adult Catholic • Something you get if you are not ready

5. Confirmation is about… A Conversion of Heart

7. Visiting with Christ while on your faith journey

8. Norms for Confirmation Preparation as directed by Archbishop DiNardo [Cannon 775; CG, 8] Confirmation preparation should be understood within the context of forming disciples (RTV, 9) Adolescent discipleship is a movement toward adult discipleship. Confirmation is not the sacrament of maturity but rather a strengthening of baptismal grace in the ongoing commitment as a disciple of Christ. Confirmation candidates should be living their baptismal call to discipleship through Weekly participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church Participation in ongoing, systematic catechesis and sacramental catechesis for Confirmation Active participation in the mission of the church Consistent living of the moral life Engaging in personal and communal prayer

9. Norms for Confirmation Preparation as directed by Archbishop DiNardo [Cannon 775; CG, 8; NDC, #36,A.2] Confirmation formation should emphasize: Leading the young person toward a more intimate union with Christ and a deepening familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his action, his gifts, and his bidding. Within this loving experience which God has initiates, God invites a response to bear much fruit [CCC 1309] That Confirmation involves the completion of Baptism and the strengthening of Baptismal faith. Understanding and articulating the Creed which is rooted in Scripture. This includes recognizing how the Trinity’s creative, redemptive, and sanctifying love is alive and active in the Church and in their daily lives. Understanding and articulating the meaning of a sacrament. Understanding and articulating the meaning of being strengthened, anointed with chrism, and sealed by the holy Spirit to be missioned. Developing a Catholic understanding of as well as love for Sacred Scripture. Ongoing , systematic catechesis as a separate but complementary dimension of faith formation. The Christian disciple should possess both and understanding and the ability to articulate the fundamentals of our faith.

10. Norms for Confirmation Preparation as directed by Archbishop DiNardo [Cannon 775; CG, 8] Pastors and priests: they should be involved in some aspect of the preparation of the candidates (e.g. interviews, catechesis, retreats, etc) On sponsors & catechists:they should be persons exhibiting a mature faith and who are highly convinced that faith make a a difference in their lives. Age for preparation & reception of Confirmation: The 10th or 11th grades, preferably 10th grade, with at least one year for immediate sacramental formation and one year of foundational teaching. Catechetical Texts: Every candidate should use sacramental (and systematic) catechetical texts in conformity with the USCCB’s As Hoc Committee to oversee the use of the Catechism of the Catholic church (see www.USCCB.org) Christian Service: should be viewed as an essential dimension in the invitation to discipleship which fosters the Church’s mission. The “Service” section of the Guidelines offers more specific information. Retreats: The National Directory for catechesis (NDC, #36, 2) directs that Confirmation sacramental catechesis “is developmentally appropriate and includes retreat experiences”. The “Retreat" section of the Guidelines offers more specific information.

11. This year is a Transitional Year!!!

12. Confirmation class: is to prepare the Candidate to receive the Sacrament, both mentally and spiritually, and to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church CCE class: is to build upon your knowledge and understanding of the teachings, practices, and theology of the Catholic faith

13. Confirmation class: meets monthly on Sundays CCE class: meets weekly on either Tuesday or Wednesday from 7:00pm-8:15pm

14. Previously…

16. Sacramental Preparation Confirmation Christian Prayer Creed Liturgy & Sacraments Morality

17. This year is a Transitional Year!!!

18. If your child is a Junior: • 9th grade: foundational year in CCE • 10th grade: foundational year in CCE • 11th grade: CCE class (any missed pillars, Christian Prayer, Theology of the Body,) and Confirmation class • 12th grade: Sacrament of Confirmation in the winter and Continue with faith formation through CCE, bible study, etc Nothing Changes

19. If your child is a Sophomore: • 9th grade: foundational year in CCE • 10th grade: CCE class and Confirmation class • 11th grade: CCE class and Sacrament of Confirmation in the winter • 12th grade: Continue with faith formation through interactive faith experiences.

20. If your child is a Sophomore: They began Confirmation preparation last year and didn’t even know it. Foundational year of Catechesis

21. Should my 10th grader begin now? • If they have a firm foundation in the Catholic faith…then YES! • If they feel they are not ready…then NO! There is always next year. Remember, next year will just be more hectic as they near graduation from HS.

22. My 11th grader didn’t come to CCE last year… • Register them for Confirmation and CCE • Come talk to one of us tonight, or call for an appointment. We can make it work!!

23. Prerequisites • Be a registered parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church • Be in the 10th grade or higher • Have celebrated the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist • Have a firm foundation in the Catholic Faith (CCE Attendance)

24. CCE Attendance Last year: No more than 5 absences from CCE class last year If you think your teen has more than 5 absences from last year, please talk to us tonight.

25. If poor CCE attendance Sophomores: -we may delay the start of Confirmation until next year -must have good attendance in CCE this year Juniors: -will begin Confirmation class this year -must maintain good attendance in CCE -will complete final pillar of foundational catechesis next summer through home study

26. We will work together to meet everyone's unique needsTalk to us!

27. ?

28. So How do we do all that?

29. Overview P.5 • Parent Information Meeting • Registration in Confirmation Formation • Entrance Interview • Opening Day of Prayer • Sponsor-Candidate Retreat

30. Overview • 2 Weekend Retreats • 5 Confirmation classes • 1 Additional Youth Faith Experience • Exit Interview

31. Overview • Weekly Mass Attendance • Regular Sacramental Life • Regular, Weekly Faith Formation Attendance (less than two absences per semester during formation years) • Active participation in the Mission of the Church through a life of service to others

32. Parent Information Meeting DONE

33. Registration in Confirmation Class • Registration Form • Parent and Candidate Inscription Promise • $25 deposit on Confirmation formation fee • Last day to register – October 7, 2012

34. Entrance Interview • Call the Faith Formation Office to schedule before October 17, 2012 • Times available Monday-Thursday 5pm-8pm Sunday mornings • 15 minutes long • For the candidate only

35. Opening Day of Prayer • Sunday, October 28, 2012 2:00pm-4:00pm • Sponsors are welcomed but not required

36. Sponsor-Candidate Retreat • Choice of two dates • Sunday, November 11, 2012 or Sunday, December 2, 2012 • 9:30am-2:30am

37. Retreats • Confirmation Retreats • One retreat at the beginning, one retreat immediately before Confirmation

38. Retreats • Sponsor-Candidate Retreat **choose one date • Candidate Retreat **choose one date • Final Candidate retreat **choose one date

39. 5 Classes • On Sunday • 12:30pm-2:00pm • No admittance after 10 minutes into class • If you have to leave early, you may have to repeat class • Two date choices for each lesson • No make-ups! • Feb, March, April, September, October

40. Each Class… • Begins after the 11:15 Mass • Will include a light lunch provided by the parents

41. Additional Youth Faith Experiences • CATHOLIC • Youth Conference • Extra Retreat • Work/Service Camp • Leadership Formation P. 9

42. Exit Interview • Call the Faith Formation Office to schedule

43. Weekly Mass Attendance • Weekly attendance at Sunday liturgies or Saturday vigils • Attendance at Holy Days of Obligation liturgies

44. Regular Sacramental Life • Eucharist • Reconciliation

45. Faith Formation Attendance • CCE Faith Formation • Must be registered in both Faith Formation and Confirmation • Not too late to register for Faith Formation • No more than 2 absences per semester this year AND next year for ALL Confirmation candidates

46. Service Goal: to foster a sense of Christian service to our parish family and community • To answer your Baptismal call to serve others • To develop a life of service to our brothers and sisters in Christ • To be the face of Christ to those in need

47. Service • Service to our parish faith community • Service to our larger, global community • Serve as a group and/or individually Life of Service in Mission of the Church • Due at exit interview P.12

48. Catholic School Students • Must attend: Opening Day of Prayer All 5 classes Sponsor-Candidate retreat Weekend candidate retreat Final candidate retreat in August • Are encouraged to attend but not required weekly CCE classes

49. Students with Disabilities Please speak with one of us tonight or call to set up an appointment so we can develop a plan to meet your student’s needs.

50. Sponsors • Practicing Catholic in both word and deed • Have received the three sacraments of Initiation in the Roman Catholic Church • Participate weekly in Sunday Mass • Not bound by any canonical penalty • Not the Mother or Father of the Candidate