Sacrament of Confirmation Candidate & Parent Orientation

1. Sacrament of ConfirmationCandidate & Parent Orientation

2. Overview • Father Tom Welcome • Christine Johnson, RE Coord Welcome • Catechist Introductions • Candidate Expectations • Parent Expectations • Typical Class • Website Review • Questions and Answers

3. Fr Tom Welcome

4. Christine Johnson, RE Coordinator Welcome

5. Candidate Expectations

6. Free-will Decision • No candidate should be coerced into the formation process, as this not only defeats the purpose of the program • Creates an atmosphere that could negatively affect others • Candidates who wish to receive the sacrament of Confirmation accepts what it means to be confirmed and will participate fully in the process as well as take seriously what it means to be a member of the Church

7. Free-will Decision • Candidates, together with their families, are asked to fully discuss … • what it means to be confirmed and • program expectations and requirements • Candidates unsure of the decision may enroll in the next preparation program

8. Attend Classes • Confirmation classes are intended to complement the faith formation that takes place both within the candidates’ families and at the Mass • Confirmation classes take place in the Chapel Conference Room, weekly, prior to Mass, 09:00 am to 10:15 am, from September through the Confirmation Mass • If 10 minutes or more late the candidate will not be allowed admittance to the class and will count as an absence • Candidates coming in late are disruptive to the class

9. Attend Classes • In "The Classroom" web page you'll find all classroom work and homework for the next week • If you have any questions contact your classroom instructors • Candidates will bring to class, every Sunday, the following materials:  (1) Faith First manual, (2) Catechism of the Catholic Church, (3) a Bible, and a (4) Three-ring binder to retain handouts and other class materials • Candidates with four or more unexcused absences will be dis-enrolled from the program unless there is a serious medical or family reason

10. Sunday and Holy DayMass Attendance • The Mass and the Eucharist are the center of our Catholic faith • The obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses is expected of all candidates • If away from the parish, it is expected they will seek out another Catholic church in which to attend Mass • The Eucharist is central to the Catholic life • Central means by which we nourish our faith and worship God • It is through hearing the Scriptures read and discussed that we learn more about our faith and about God

11. Sunday and Holy DayMass Attendance • Candidates should make every effort to participate in the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil) • This is the holiest time of the year for our Church • The services on these days are rich in the traditions of our faith • We will discuss with the candidates how they can fully participate in the Triduum during class

12. Baptismal Certificate • Baptism is necessary before one can receive any other sacrament • All church records are kept at the church of Baptism • If you do not have a copy of your child's Baptismal Certificate, you must write or call the church it took place in and request a copy • Candidates must submit a copy of their Baptismal Certificate when possible (not Baptismal record)

13. Baptismal Certificate • Please make sure the certificate includes the address of the Church the Sacrament took place in • This will enable use to update your child's Sacramental record in our Church

14. Baptismal Certificate • If your child was baptized in a military Chapel and you do not have a copy of the certificate • You can request the certificate by internet (preferred method) • www.milarch.org/sacramental/index.html • You can also write or call Archdiocese for the Military Service, USAPO Box 4469Washington DC  20017-0469 Phone:  (202) 719-3605      Fax:  (202) 269-1002

15. Choose a Sponsor • You'll be required to have a sponsor—someone who will guide you and share the story of faith with you • A good sponsor will make this process a little easier and even more fun • Requirements for the Sponsor • The individual must be Catholic who is practicing his or her faith • 16 years of age or older who has received the sacrament of Confirmation and the Eucharist

16. Choose a Sponsor • Candidates may wish to choose one of their baptismal godparents to be their Confirmation sponsor, emphasizing the important relationship between the two sacraments • Parents should not be sponsors of their children • It is the sponsor’s role to support the candidate and his/her parents • The Church discourages candidates from choosing one of their parents to be their sponsor

17. Choose a Sponsor • A sponsor may be a relative, friend or someone from our parish • Your sponsor should be prepared to assist the person being confirmed in their preparation, during the ceremony, and afterward in the life-long journey toward Christ

18. How to Choose a Sponsor • Look for someone you trust, whose faith you admire and who will be there for you • Look for someone who knows you well and is willing to serve as a Christian guide and role model for you • Choose your sponsor carefully and with thought • If you continue to have difficulty then pray about it

19. How to Choose a Sponsor • You may want to invite your sponsor to visit the Sponsor Info page on the parish’s website • Sponsors are invited and encouraged to join the candidates for the Confirmation rehearsal session • If a candidate’s sponsor is unable to be present at the Confirmation Mass, a proxy may stand in for him/her

20. Write a Letter to Your Sponsor • Candidates will be required to write a letter to their sponsor detailing why they chose him or her and what will be expected of them as a sponsor during the upcoming year of preparation

21. Confirmation Interview • Father Tom will meet with each of the candidates throughout the year • Prior to Confirmation he will interview each of the candidates to assess their preparation and readiness for the sacrament. Candidates should be prepared to answer the following questions: • Why do you want to be confirmed? • Why did you choose your sponsor? • What saint did you choose for your Confirmation name?  Why? • What is the most important part of Mass? • Father may also assess your general knowledge of our faith (e.g., sacraments, commandments, beatitudes, prayer and devotion, etc.)

22. Sacrament of Reconciliation • All students are required to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent • It is desired that all candidates and their sponsors be in a state of grace at the time of Confirmation

23. Choose a Confirmation Name • A Confirmation name is consistent with the Church's tradition of assigning new names to the faithful when they accept a new ministry (i.e. religious, St. Peter, St. Paul) • Choosing a Confirmation name gives the candidates the opportunity to reflect on the life of a saint they wish to emulate

24. Choose a Confirmation Name • Confirmandi are asked to check into reasons for their baptismal name if they are not already aware of the reason • One may keep the baptismal name to emphasize the fact that Confirmation is a sealing of the Baptismal Commitment • Candidates may choose a new name as a sign of growth in faith

25. Write a Saint Research Report • A saint research report will be required of each candidate • In the report candidates will explain their choice and report information about the saint that they have chosen • Each saint is known for particular qualities or virtues. Candidates will explain how, by imitating this saint, he or she can become a better Christian

26. Eucharistic Adoration • The Eucharist is the center of our Catholic Faith.  We have the opportunity here at the Moody Chapel to sit quietly with Jesus, exposed in the Blessed Sacrament • This is a time of quiet prayer, reflection and adoration • To help candidates with their prayers and reflection, you can bring the bible, a prayer book, or a book of readings or reflections of a Saint or other holy person • Some people find it helpful to reflect on the hymns; after all hymns are prayers

27. Eucharistic Adoration • Each candidate will be required to participate in Eucharistic Adoration at least three times during the year while he/she is preparing for Confirmation • Candidates should plan on spending at least a half hour at Adoration • Each family is strongly encouraged to participate in Adoration with the Confirmandi as a family

28. Prayer • Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life – and therefore a vital part of preparation to receive the sacrament of Confirmation • Candidates will have numerous opportunities to discuss and explore prayer, with a particular emphasis on discussing and exploring the role prayer plays and can play in their daily lives • Each session begins and ends with a prayer experience • Candidates may be asked to lead the opening and concluding prayer

29. Community Service • The Church teaches us that it is the responsibility of the baptized to live the Gospel in the world • Christians actively preach and spread the Gospel when they participate in both civic and parish-based activities in a manner consistent with Jesus’ example and teachings • Candidates will be expected to complete 20 hours of community service before the final retreat • If you and your family are involved in, or plan to take part in, a service project which will help to fill a need in the lives of others – food, clothing, shelter, educational assistance

30. Retreats • There will be two or three retreats • Retreats are mandatory for all candidates (sports & recreational activities are not an excused absence from the retreat)  • First Retreat: Held on a Saturday (6 hours) for the candidates • Explore other religions • Compare and contrast with Catholicism • Second Retreat: Tentative day trip to the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Savannah, GA • Third Retreat: Overnight retreat held close to the Confirmation ceremony (TBD)

31. Parent Expectations

32. Parent Participation • As parents, you are the first and primary educators of your children in their faith • Talk to your child about what they are learning and help them see how these things can be part of their lives • Your affirmation, reiteration, and daily practice of the faith are so very necessary to prepare your child for this sacrament • Parents will attend some sessions with your child so that you may participate in their ongoing faith formation

33. Parent Participation • Set the example for your child as he or she takes on the responsibility of a Confirmed Catholic • The example of the parents’ prayer life and attitude toward Jesus Christ and His Church is the best teaching sons and daughters will ever have • It is the candidate’s responsibility to complete all requirements, it is the parents’ responsibility to assist by making sure all assignments are done on time and that his or her child is at each scheduled activity

34. Parent’s Role • In private, let us know of any special needs of the child (e.g., autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, etc.) • Provide primary education of candidate in matters of faith • Assist with retreats, service work, rehearsal and Liturgy of Confirmation as requested • Be actively involved in the sacramental preparation of the candidate • Attend meetings and the celebration of the sacrament

35. Don’t Coerce Your Child • Do not coerce your child into the formation process, as this not only defeats the purpose of the program but also creates an atmosphere that could negatively affect others

36. How will I know if my child is ready? • Through acts of conversion or growth in faith • Any one of the following can be a sign: • Referring actions to Christ (seeing connections between scripture stories and their life) • Praying on their own and thinking of seeking God in prayer • Charity for others (especially for those who are not their friends) • Selfless acts • Questions about God • Spontaneous joy at learning about God • The desire to know more

37. Typical Class

38. Class Schedule • Opening prayer • Briefly review previous week’s session • Review of Sunday’s readings • How the week’s message applies to candidate • Week’s lesson • Occasional test or quiz • Closing prayer • Assign Homework for the next session (e.g., next week’s readings)

39. Catechesis Based on the “Four Pillars” of the Church • The Creed • The Creed, as the Catholic profession of faith, summarizes the gifts that God gives as Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. In explaining the articles of the Creed a catechist explores our common baptismal faith in the one God, the Father Almighty; in his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and in the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier of the Church • Seven Sacraments • God’s plan of salvation is continually made present in the sacramental celebrations of the Church

40. Catechesis Based on the “Four Pillars” of the Church • Christian Moral Life • The Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments guide the Christian disciple in a life of virtue and Christian morality • Christian Prayer • Prayer is important in the life of a disciple of Christ. The seven petitions of the Lord’s Prayer are a means to understanding to different modes of Christian prayer and spirituality

41. Class Schedule • Review Knowledge Base • Faith First (RE program) is a building block program • AF families are transient • Different candidates with different needs • Will provide a review of the basics for the first few weeks • Sacraments, 10 Commandments, Beatitudes, prayer and devotion (Act of Contrition, Nicene Creed, traditional prayers), laws of the church, rosary, etc. • "Knowing Your Faith“ - short and concise Catechism of Catholic teachings, practices, and worship; question and answer format is easy to understand; excellent tool for parents and teens to learn more about their faith

42. Class Schedule • Faith First Education Program • Awarded the 2007 First Place Award for Best Educational Books by the Catholic Press Association • Designed around the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:  • Nicene Creed • The Sacraments • The Commandments • Prayer

43. Class Schedule • Faith First is designed to prepare young people for a lifetime of discipleship.  The program is designed as follows: • Gathering as Church • Proclaiming the Word • Renewing Baptismal Promises • Laying on of Hands • Anointing with Oil • Offering the Gift of Peace • Sharing Eucharist • Sending Forth on Mission

44. Class Schedule • We will supplement the Faith First program will some additional materials such as … • The Gifts of the Holy Spirit as received during Confirmation • Lent and Advent activities and information • Learn about saints and contributions to the church • Tour of the church • Retreats: Other religions and how the compare and contrast to Catholicism, current events, “hot” topics, etc.

45. www.MoodyCatholic.com Website Review www.MoodyCatholic.com

46. Summary • Father Tom Welcome • Christine Johnson, RE Coord Welcome • Catechist Introductions • Candidate Expectations • Parent Expectations • Typical Class • Website Review • Questions and Answers