2015 Confirmation Meeting Agenda Parent & Sponsor

Transcription

1 Opening Prayer 2015 Confirmation Meeting Agenda Parent & Sponsor January 11, 2015 The Sacrament of Confirmation o Candidate s Choice decision is yours your responsibility with parents support o Why are you here? Now is the time to ask the question Have a desire to practice the faith not just something on your life s checklist otherwise what is the point you collectively (candidates/parents/sponsors) have to be all in parents, if you are a strong influence in your children s decision to receive this sacrament you and your spouse must fully support the candidate and program otherwise it may be a bumpy few months for all of us it is OK to decide that you are not ready but must meet with Fr. Len and Mrs. Forestiere to discuss your reason o Baptism/Confirmation compare and contrast both anointed with Chrism both receive Holy Spirit Confirmation - a initiation to full disciples in Christ, a beginning What does that mean to you? How will you continue to deliver Christ s message to the world until Thy will be done. Be Who You Are and Be That Perfectly Well St. Francis de Salle o Live a Life of Service to Others the 20 required hours should be just the beginning Find you own Calcutta Mass rejuvenates us - a reminder of this commitment New Roman Missal Concluding Rite: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. The Purpose of a Sponsor o Spiritual mentor o someone to go to with life and faith questions other than parents

2 Review Requirements & Important Dates o Confirmation Name Paper 300 word typed essay on the saint s name you have researched and chosen for your Confirmation name; tell me about the saint s life and why you have chosen that saint name; how does this saint relate to you? o Parish Ministry Participation Interview the Ministry Leader of a ministry you are interested in and have not previously participated in Volunteer for 1-1/2 hours in that ministry Can be included in your 20 hours of required service Or present your idea for a new ministry and present it to Fr. Len & Mrs. Forestiere; if approved implement the ministry with a mentor from the parish o Day of Reflection Retreat the diocese requires that you attend a retreat in order to receive the sacrament of Confirmation; if this date does not work for you call around to other parishes to see if you can attend another retreat; most parishes in the area administer the sacrament of Confirmation in the spring so their retreats will be over by the end of April. o Service Hours Should be near completion With the many s I send out containing opportunities there is no reason why you should not meet this deadline Remember to turn in your Stewardship Booklet on time on June 1 st o Summer Service Project & Worksheet w/sponsor candidates and sponsors are to attend mass together and choose a 1-1/2 hour service project to complete together project and mass don t have to be on the same day candidates are to fill out the worksheet and turn it in pay attention to the gospel and homily so you can discuss it with your sponsor

3 o Confirmation Rehearsal w/mass Mandatory candidates will report to Community Hall at 10:30am for check in Candidates will meet parents/sponsors in the church and sit with them for mass rehearsal will follow immediately after mass you must stay for its entirety you must attend the 11:00 mass beforehand o Requested Confirmation Dates Dates submitted to diocese: o Saturday October 3, 2015 at 10:00am o Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 5:30pm o Friday, October 2, 2015 at 7:00pm The diocese will let us know late May early June Fr. Len may end up presiding over the ceremony I will you the moment I find out the date o Confirmation Ceremony candidates do not wear robes; they are asked to dress appropriately sponsors process in with candidates and sit in the row behind their candidate there will be very limited seating ceremony lasts about 1 hour 15 minutes candidates make sure to leave with your certificate after the ceremony Fill out Paperwork Completely o If I receive a worksheet or form with missing information it will be returned to you for completion Importance of Deadlines o Do not miss a deadline or meeting o Let me know of any issues before a due date o Do not turn in paperwork early not before the week it is due

4 Commitment to Excellence Candidate/Parent/Sponsor o Needs to be signed by candidate and parents in order to proceed with the Confirmation Preparation program o review details of document Candidate Dismal to Youth Hall Parents & Sponsors quick chat about Letters of Affirmation see attachment Please consult this document before calling or ing with any questions. My Contact Info: Mrs. Nina Forestiere Director of Sacraments & Youth Spirituality (ext. 20) sacraments@ollwhs.org

5 2015 Confirmation Preparation Program Key Dates Required Events & Work o Confirmation Name Paper due February 8, 9, 10, 2015 collected at Faith Formation/Family Ministry class typed 300 word essay on the saint s name you have researched and chosen for your Confirmation name; tell about the saint s life and why you have chosen that saint name; how does this saint relate to you? Start with catholiconline.org and go to the list of Patron Saints to get inspired o Commitment to Excellence due no later than February 10, 2015 in candidate packet o Parish Ministry Participation Worksheet due May 12, 2015 given to candidates last April 2014 Interview the Ministry Leader of a ministry you are interested in and have not previously participated in Volunteer for 1-1/2 hours in that ministry Can be included in your 20 hours of required service o Confirmation Retreat Saturday, April 11, 2015 Youth Hall/Community Hall Must stay for the entire retreat arrive on time and stay until the end of mass Required by the diocese OLL Retreat or another comparable retreat at a different parish but must act now Required Sponsor/Parent participation from 1:45pm to 5:00pm (see note below*) 2015 Retreat Schedule: Pat Stevens 9:45am 1:00pm (candidates only) Lunch 1:00pm 1:45pm Colleen Kelly-Rayner 2:00pm 5:15pm* *Required: afternoon of retreat with sponsor (or a parent if sponsor is under 18 years old) from 1:45pm to 5:00pm Mass 5:30pm 6:30pm o Service Hours - Confirmation Stewardship Booklet due June 1, 2015 Booklet must contain the balance of the 20 required service hours o Letters of Affirmation due Wednesday, August 19, 19, parents/sponsors see attachment o Summer Service Project and Mass Attendance with Sponsor - Worksheet due September 13, ) Candidates and sponsors choose a 1-1/2 hour service project to complete together 2) Candidates and sponsors are to attend mass together Service Project and Mass don t have to be on the same day In addition to the 20 required service hours

6 o Sunday, September 20, 2015, 10:30 am 1:00 p.m. - Confirmation Rehearsal w/ 11:00am Mass mandatory for candidates, sponsors (if available) and a parent o Requested Confirmation Dates the parish will be notified in May/June by the dioceses of the date assigned; dates submitted to diocese listed below: 1) Saturday October 3, 2015 at 10:00am 2) Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 5:30pm 3) Friday, October 2, 2015 at 7:00pm Please consult this document before calling or ing with any questions. My Contact Info: Mrs. Nina Forestiere Director of Sacraments & Youth Spirituality (ext. 20) sacraments@ollwhs.org

7 Commitment to Excellence I,, understand that receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation (Print Candidate s Full Name) is a decision I alone can make and that I am under no obligation to do so. I have entered into this commitment willingly with the support of my parents and sponsor. Through prayer and thought I have decided that this is a commitment I welcome of my own volition. For the next 10 months Confirmation preparation will be a priority in my life and I will fulfill all obligations as explained to me by Fr. Len and Mrs. Forestiere at the information meeting I attended on January 11, *I pledge to turn in all assignments on time, on their designated due date to complete all assignments to the best of my ability to attend mass on Sundays and Holy Days to participate fully in all Faith Formation classes to attend the Day of Reflection and Confirmation rehearsal to enter into our Day of Reflection with reverence and openness to work willingly with my sponsor throughout the preparation process to give witness to living the Catholic faith by participating in service activities and to complete the 20 required service hours by June 1, 2015 to cooperate with my catechist, sponsor and parents as they help me to prepare for Confirmation I ask the help of the Holy Spirit as I begin this preparation process and I pray that the Spirit will be with me as I dedicate myself to living the commitment I make through this agreement. Candidate s Signature Date As a parent, I witness my child s commitment and offer my full support in their decision to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and all that it entails. Parent Signature Date As a sponsor, I witness my candidate s commitment and offer my full support in their decision to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and all that it entails. I also understand the commitment asked of me and willing accept the responsibility. Sponsor Signature Date

8 Confirmation Summer Service Project Due Sunday, September 13, 2015 Candidate Name: Please print neatly or type your answers. If I cannot read your hand writing you will be asked to do it over. Where did you and your sponsor attend mass together? What was the gospel reading? How did the gospel and homily relate to you and your sponsor s lives? What was the service you and your sponsor participated in? How did working together enrich your relationship? Which Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Ministry will you participate in after Confirmation? Please provide your name and height measurement in inches below. Candidate Last Name: Candidate First Name: Height (in inches please): inches

9 About Letters of Affirmation Parents, Sponsors, Family Members & Friends Letters of Affirmation are letters written by parents, friends, sponsors and relatives of the candidates. It is a personal letter to the candidate from you. It will only be read by the candidate. It is an informal letter of affirmation, appreciation and love. You might tell them how much they have grown into fine young adults; point out the aspects of their personality that endear them to you; remind them of good times you ve had together; tell them how proud you are of and for them; speak to them as fine role models to their younger siblings and youth of the parish; tell them how honored you are to be chosen as their sponsor. Please also let them know how the Holy Spirit is always an ever supporting force in their lives. The letters will be given to the candidates at rehearsal (not on Confirmation day) and the candidates will be given private time to read them. We would like to receive at least one letter for each candidate but hope for more. Please extend this invitation to anyone you think your candidate would enjoy to hear from. In the past younger siblings have made cards and grandparents have sent DVDs so open it up to anyone who is dear to your candidate. This is something they will cherish for the rest of their lives. I have attached a sample letter (see reverse side). It is written from the perspective of a parish member who was chosen as a sponsor. I hope it helps. The attached letter may still be more formal than something you may write. There is no wrong way to do this. Just speak from your heart and they will love you for it. After your letter is written please place the letter in a sealed envelope with the candidates name and Affirmation Letter written on the outside. The letters can be mailed to me at the address below or dropped off in the black Confirmation bin inside the office doors. Please do not send me letters via . Church of Our Lady of Lourdes P O Box 248 Whitehouse Station, NJ Attn: Nina Forestiere Please submit all letters to me on or before Wednesday, August 19, Office doors are open: Mon. Thurs.: 8:30am 9:00pm Fri. Sat.: 8:30am 5:00pm Sun.: 8:30am 1:00pm If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call, (ext. 20). I would be happy to help in any way that I can. Warmest regards, Nina Forestiere Director of Sacraments & Youth Spirituality sacraments@ollwhs.org

10 September 29, 2013 Dear Christine, Today you will receive the last of the initiation sacraments, Confirmation. Receiving the Holy Spirit is an incredible gift. As you journey through life you will come across many paths that will require you to make important decisions. This gift that God bestows upon you today will guide you to call on Him for help and guidance. As a young adult, you will have many choices to make. The path of right and wrong is not always clear. Know that together with the Holy Spirit you have the support of your family and friends in times of need. In the past few years I have seen you grow into the wonderful young woman that you are today. Your contribution to our parish through the choir and youth group has been tremendous. Your gift for teaching is exceptional and something you should consider as a life vocation. You have touched the lives of so many who have grown to love you. Please continue to share your talents with the parish as you are greatly appreciated here. As for me, I am honored that you have chosen me to stand beside you as your sponsor on your Confirmation day. Our bond of friendship has grown into something more precious to me and I hope you know that I will be here for you always to share in the good times and help you through the bad. You have so enriched my own life with your kindness and quick wit and I have become a better person for it. I have enclosed a poem that has helped remind me that God is always our champion. I hope you find comfort and draw strength from its words when life gets tough. You are always in my prayers. Congratulations and may God bless you on this special day and always. Peace and blessings,