Sacrament of Confirmation

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Sacrament of ConfirmationCandidate Parent
Orientation
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Overview

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

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Fr Tom Welcome
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Christine Johnson, RE Coordinator Welcome
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Candidate Expectations
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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

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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

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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, 0900 am
  to 1015 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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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  [phone]      Fax 
  [phone]

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Choose a Sponsor

• You'll be required to have a sponsorsomeone 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

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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 sponsors role to support the candidate
  and his/her parents
• The Church discourages candidates from choosing
  one of their parents to be their sponsor

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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

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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

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How to Choose a Sponsor

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

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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

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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.)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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Parent Expectations
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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

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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 candidates 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

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Parents 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

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Dont 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

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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

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Typical Class
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Class Schedule

• Opening prayer
• Briefly review previous weeks session
• Review of Sundays readings
• How the weeks message applies to candidate
• Weeks lesson
• Occasional test or quiz
• Closing prayer
• Assign Homework for the next session (e.g., next
  weeks readings)

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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
• Gods plan of salvation is continually made
  present in the sacramental celebrations of the
  Church

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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 Lords Prayer
  are a means to understanding to different modes
  of Christian prayer and spirituality

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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www.MoodyCatholic.com
Website Review
www.MoodyCatholic.com
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Summary

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