Confirmation Handbook

Transcription

1 Confirmation Handbook

2 Confirmation Coordinator Fr. Tom Santen Office # ext.1020 Fax # For Questions about Confirmation contact: Julie Quillo Office X 1073 Fax Michelle Foster or Debby Marshall Office X 1039 Fax mfoster@stjoemanchester.org For questions about paperwork for Confirmation contact: Debby Marshall Office X 1041 Fax dmarshall@stjoemanchester.org

3 CONFIRMATION: Minimum Requirements Valid Catholic Baptism (or Catholic Profession of Faith) Certificate Parish Information Sheet and the Sponsor Verification Form Regular attendance (80% attendance in class) and full participation in the prescribed course of study for Confirmation preparation Readiness for Confirmation ascertained by Catechist, Parents and Parish Staff based on: Class conduct Attitude toward Christian service IMPORTANT DATES: Effort Willingness to attend liturgical events and other Confirmation related activities outside regular classroom times All Items Listed Below Due Confirmation Information Form January 27, 2016 Sponsor Information Form January 27, 2016 Candidate s Letter to the Archbishop April 30, 2016 A card will be sent to you about a month before Confirmation and it is important that you hold on to this and bring it to the Cathedral Basilica on the day of Confirmation. You will be handing this card to an attendant during the celebration, right before the Archbishop confirms you. Rite of Enrollment & Witness Assembly January 5, 2016 (sponsor and student are to attend) Time: 7:00 to 8:45pm Place: St. Joseph Church Confirmation Retreat Day (student and sponsor attend) Retreats TBA (October of 8 th grade) Time: 8am to 3pm Place: St. Joseph Parish Center Facilitators: REAP Team & St Joseph Staff Luke 18 in 7 th grade October 2-4, 2015 Timothy 4 in 8 th grade TBA (end of April of 8 th grade) Sacrament of Confirmation Conferred GENERAL INFORMATION: November 5, 2016 (Saturday) Time: 10:00 AM Place: The New Cathedral Basilica Confirmation is first and foremost a sacrament of initiation. Preparation for and celebration of this sacrament of initiation provides people with an opportunity to affirm the faith into which they were baptized to experience again and be open to the sign of God s grace in their lives. Confirmation also bolsters our appreciation of God s involvement in our lives by helping us recognize the action of the Gifts of the Spirit within us. It offers us opportunities to experience the spiritual strength from the Christian Community. It also helps us identify with the mission and ministry of the Church by choosing to be responsible for that mission and ministry as maturing, spirit-filled Christians. ROLE OF THE SPONSOR:

4 Must belong to the Catholic Church, 16 years of age or older and be fully initiated themselves having received Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist and are currently able to receive the sacraments Support the person to be confirmed in their commitment to a Catholic life Know the candidate and be willing to serve as a strong and long lasting Catholic influence on the candidate May be either male or female for any candidate Obtain from their pastor documentation that they are a member-in-good-standing in their home parish May be a baptismal Godparent, thus emphasizing more clearly the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation May not be the Parents of the candidate. The sponsor is additional support, just as at Baptism. Encourage the candidate by forming a relationship based on their shared faith Presents the candidate to the minister of Confirmation, if unable to do so a Proxy may fill in. ROLE OF THE CANDIDATES PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION: Freely choosing to be confirmed and make their desire known Continually enriching their knowledge of the Catholic faith Practicing their faith and developing their prayer life Participate in attending Mass and receiving the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly, which opens our hearts to God s Grace Be aware of the initiation aspects of the sacrament of Confirmation and be committed to continuing the faithful practice and study of their religion Participate in the Confirmation preparations, retreats & Rites, including the performance of service work RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARENTS: The primary religious educators of their children Initiating their children into the sacramental life Serve as models of Gospel values for their children Worship with their families on a regular basis Nurture their child in the faith Encourage their child to reflect on and thoughtfully consider the decision to receive the sacrament of Confirmation Attend the Confirmation preparation events, retreats and services; other Rites planned to help their child prepare for Confirmation Assist their child with the immediate preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation through prayer, study and service work Emphasize the importance of the sacrament of Confirmation by taking an active part in the celebration of Confirmation Stress the initiation aspect of the sacrament by encouraging their children to continue learning more about their faith Help their child in understanding that the acts of service they perform should be a beginning to a life committed to Christian service.

5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARISH COMMUNITY: Pray for the Confirmation Candidates Model and teach the candidates the life of a disciple of Christ Welcome the candidates as fully initiated members into the church Celebrate the Mass and the Eucharist with the candidates CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT TO SERVICE: Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, (MT 20:28). The Church is a servant community and all those accepting full membership in the Church are also accepting the life long responsibility to serve. Candidates for the reception of Confirmation are asked to give service by participating in service work. Teens should also take an active part in looking for service. They are to discover a service that utilizes a teen s own special talents and abilities. This service is to be performed freely and willingly. No hours are tracked. It is not mandatory and is meant to represent the candidates intentions of becoming full members of this servant community, the Church, and dedicated followers of Christ. So how many hours of service are you to do? As many as you can because you are a disciple of Christ! THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION: The Sacrament of Confirmation: Is celebrated during Mass Begins after the Liturgy of the Word Is presided over by the Bishop There are four parts to the rite: Renewal of baptismal vows Laying on of hands Anointing with oil Sign of Peace CONFIRMATION NAMES: If the candidate s baptismal name is that of a recognized saint of the Church, there is no need to select a new name for Confirmation. Using the baptismal name for Confirmation is preferred because it highlights the relationship between the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. If the candidate chooses to take a new name for Confirmation, it should be a name selected from the list of recognized saints of the Catholic Church. Names of saints are chosen to serve as patrons and models for those being confirmed. Candidates should choose a patron whose Christian life or virtues could be imitated. There are many books on the lives of the saints available at any Catholic bookstore or at our Parish library. If you have Internet access, here are two websites that you might find helpful: or

6 NUTS & BOLTS for CONFIRMATION CELEBRATION The celebration of Confirmation is within the celebration of Mass. There are responses the candidate is responsible for during the renewal of their Baptismal Promises and during the Anointing with Chrism. Please have a discussion with the candidate about responding clearly and audibly. The renewal of their Baptismal Promises is done as a whole group, standing, and responding to each question from the priest the candidate is to respond clearly and audibly, I do. Then for the Anointing with Chrism they will process forward, a pew at a time, followed by their sponsor, into the sanctuary to the bishops. The candidate will give the Deacon their blue card. Then they step forward to the bishop and the sponsor will put their right hand on the candidate s right shoulder. Then candidate is to state clearly and audibly their own confirmation name to the bishop. As the bishop anoints the candidate he will say, Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The newly confirmed candidate will respond clearly and audibly, Amen. The bishop will then say, Peace be with you, and the newly confirmed candidate will respond clearly and audibly, And also with you. The bishop will reach out to shake the newly confirmed candidate s hand. The bishops have been known to make small talk at this point and the newly confirmed candidates should know they are to respond to the small talk and not feel anxious about responding, it s just the bishop having a conversation with them! The newly confirmed and their sponsor will return to their seats and Mass will continue. Once Mass is ended, Father Santen and the Bishops will be outside the Cathedral front entrance for pictures for as long as they are needed. Frequently asked questions Forms & Handbook: The three forms are to be turned in by the deadline listed on each form. The forms and the confirmation handbook can all be printed out from the St Joseph website, click on Sacraments, click on Confirmation. Dress Code: Girls wear dresses or dressy pants suit. Dresses should cover the shoulders, or if the dress has spaghetti straps they should wear a light sweater or jacket to cover the shoulders. Boys wear dress shirt and pants with a tie. Suit coats are often worn but not necessary. Dress sweater with shirt and tie is acceptable also. There is no color preference for either girls or boys. A note about shoes, they will go up and down the marble steps so be careful of their choice of shoes as those marble steps can be slick for some shoes. Same dress code is for sponsors. Blue Card: The blue cards will be mailed to the candidate s house the week prior to Confirmation date. If you do not receive it in the mail by Wednesday prior to Confirmation day please contact Debby Marshall immediately in the school office. The blue card is to come to the cathedral with you!!! If you have misplaced it before you leave for the cathedral, see the St Joseph staff once you arrive at the cathedral. The staff will be in the center front isle while everyone is arriving. The candidate is to have the blue card with them before the celebration begins. Arrival: The celebration begins promptly at 1:30pm. Arrive promptly so that you are seated and comfortable before the celebration begins. Seating: When you arrive have the candidate and their sponsor choose their seats in the reserved pews marked St Joseph, which are in the center right and left banks of pews in the front. The sponsor should sit to the outside, next to their candidate, so that when they process to the sanctuary they will be following their candidate. Pictures: Are allowed before and after the celebration. No pictures are to be taken during Mass. Father Santen and the Bishops will be outside the Cathedral front entrance for pictures for as long as they are needed. Time: You can expect the celebration to take at least 2 hours.

7 CANDIDATE REVIEW GUIDE: Below are the topics that you should be familiar with as a basic foundation of preparation for Confirmation. Do take time to learn these important foundations of our faith during this preparation time to Confirmation. Take time to talk with your parents, sponsors and catechists/teachers about these important faith foundations and the importance they have in living out our faith every day. GIFTS AND FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit help Christians live their lives more fully committed to Christ. These gifts are: Wisdom Understanding Right Judgment Courage Knowledge Reverence Wonder and Awe in God s Presence The Fruits of the Spirit are: Charity Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Long-Suffering Mildness Chastity Faith Modesty Continence The 10 Commandments 1. I am the Lord, your God; you shall have no other gods besides me. 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain. 3. Remember to keep holy the Lord s Day. 4. Honor you father and your mother. 5. You shall not kill. 6. You shall not commit adultery. 7. You shall not steal. 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 9. You shall not covet your neighbor s wife. 10. You shall not covet your neighbor s goods. Candidates Should Know by Heart Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit * The Our Father * The Hail Mary The Apostles Creed * Glory Be to the Father * Act of Contrition/Sorrow The Sacraments Baptism * Eucharist * Matrimony * Reconciliation Confirmation * Holy Orders * Anointing of the Sick

8 Beatitudes Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Blessed are those who suffer persecution for justice s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Corporal Works of Mercy To feed the hungry To give drink to the thirsty To clothe the naked To visit the imprisoned To shelter the homeless To care for the sick To bury the dead Spiritual Works of Mercy To correct the sinner To teach the ignorant To counsel the doubtful To comfort the sorrowful To bear wrongs patiently To forgive all injuries To pray for the living and the dead Laws of the Church To assist at Mass on all Sunday and Holy Days of obligation To fast and abstain on the days appointed To confess our sins at least once a year To receive Eucharist during Easter-time To contribute to the support of the church To observe the laws of the Church concerning marriage To contribute to the missionary efforts of the Church

9 CONFIRMATION INFORMATION FORM PLEASE PRINT: Confirmation Name (If taking Baptismal Name state that fact) Baptismal Name of Student (first) (middle) (last) Home Address City & Zip Code Phone Parents School Attending Homeroom/Catechist ***Please refer to your child s baptismal certificate for the following. A copy of the candidate s baptismal certificate must be on file in the PSR/School office. If we need a copy, we will contact you. Date of Catholic Baptism Date of Birth Church of Catholic Baptism or Catholic Profession of Faith Catholic Church Address City, State & Zip Code Father s Name (first) (middle) (last) Mother s Maiden Name (first) (middle) (maiden name) SPONSOR INFORMATION Sponsor s Name (first) (middle) (last) Form must be returned to their teacher or catechist by January 27, 2016

10 CONFIRMATION SPONSOR FORM PART A CANDIDATE FILLS OUT PART A Name of Candidate: Statement of Candidate: I understand that a sponsor for the Sacrament of Confirmation is an important choice to make regarding my final step into full communion with the Church. In choosing this person I understand he/she will be my guide during the coming year as I prepare to become a full initiated member of my Church and the Catholic faith. Therefore, I understand that I must choose a person who is practicing their Catholic faith, and who will be a good example and guide for me. Candidate s initials: PART B SPONSOR & SPONSOR S PARISH PRIEST FILL OUT PART B To the Sponsor: Congratulations on being asked to be a sponsor for the Sacrament of Confirmation. To be a sponsor there are several requirements the Church asks of you: 1) must be sixteen years of age or older; 2) have received all three sacraments of initiation, and lead a life in conformity with the faith and the role assumed as a sponsor; and 3) is not the parent of the candidate. Statement of faith commitment and practice by Sponsor: Sponsor s Name (please print) I recognize that as a sponsor for this sacrament, I am: 1) committed to keeping God s commandments as Jesus and the Church have taught me; 2) to worship God through prayer; and 3) faithfully attend Sunday Mass & to also strive to translate my faith into good examples and works. I hereby state I am: 1) a baptized, confirmed Catholic; 2) a registered member of Parish in ; 3) if married, married according to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church. I also promise to assist this candidate both before and after the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation to live the Christian life. Finally, I attest that all the statements above are true. Signature of Sponsor: Address: Statement of Sponsor s Parish Priest: This is to certify the sponsor named above is to the best of my knowledge a registered member of this parish. Comments: Date: Sponsor s Church Seal here: Priest s Signature: Parish Church: Address: Form must be returned to their teacher or catechist by January 27, 2016

11 TEMPLATE example of letter for Confirmation ***Letter must be typed, free of errors, both typographical and grammatical. Letter must be given to your teacher or catechist by April 30, This is an example and need not be followed word by word. It is to guide you in format. This is a request, by you, asking the Archbishop for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Dear Most Reverend Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, Date I, (insert your full name), a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manchester, Missouri ask you to confirm me as a member of the Roman Catholic Church. I want to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation because. (Give real, concrete, honest reasons that you want to be confirmed) I have prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation by. (Give real, concrete, honest ways that you prepared to be confirmed) I have chosen (your sponsor s full name) to present me to you on the day of my Confirmation and to witness to my commitment. I have made that choice because. (do not say because he is a nice guy - you need to give good concrete reasons as to why this person is important to you and how you see them witnessing to their own faith) You will seal my commitment to Jesus and His Church by anointing me with oil and calling me by name. The name I wish to be called at my Confirmation is._ (your saint s name-or baptismal name-only if your baptismal name is a saint name) I have chosen that name because. (do not say because it is my father s/grandmother s name- you must show that you know something about this saint and why you have chosen his/her name) I understand that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will help me build up the Church. I wish to share in the building of the Church by. (give real, concrete, honest ways that you will continue to be active in the Church) Sincerely, (Handwrite your Signature in Ink) Type your name underneath your signature!