Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2010-2011 Confirmation Orientation
Overview Introductions Catechists Philosophy Confirmation Requirements Calendar Confirmation
Introductions Deacon Michael A. Illerbrun Director 898-5253 extension 2 michaelillerbrun@qwestoffice.net Chonita Watrin-Benkert Coordinator 898-5253 extension 1 chonitawatrin@qwestoffice.net
Catechists Sunday 9 am class M/M David and Pam Montoya Ms AnaAlicia Armendariz and Mrs Maricarmen Bueschel Sunday 10:45 class Mrs. Donna Illerbrun & Miss Elizabeth Illerbrun Ms. Natalie Rivera/Unfilled Wednesday 6:15 pm Unfilled/Unfilled
Philosophy Most lessons already learned in first 8 years More hands on approach Active Christianity Much more commitment Kids and parents Mix of classroom, youth group and field trips
Confirmation Requirements Ordinary age for confirmation in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe is during the High School years. Confirmation name will be that of a Saint. Baptismal name may be used as long as it is the name of a Saint. Pastors and parents are to determine that the person to be confirmed has chosen freely to receive this Sacrament.
Confirmation Requirements In the latter stages of preparation, each candidate will indicate by letter to the Archbishop, his or her desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Candidates for confirmation will be expected to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) prior to the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Candidates will undergo a preparation period of study, prayer and retreat.
Requirements Continued Each candidate will be required to attend one retreat in the fall and is expected to participate in the spring pilgrimage to the Santuario in Chimayo. The Archdiocesan retreat is scheduled this year for 22-23 October at the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Albuquerque. This is a perfect opportunity to fulfill your requirement. Additional retreats are available on 3 December, 5 March and 2 April We will be conducting the pilgrimage to the Santuario in Chimayo this year on 5 March 2011. Candidates will be evaluated on the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Nicene Creed, and parts of the Mass.
Sponsor Requirements Each candidate shall have a sponsor who: Is a baptized member of the Catholic Church Is at least 16 years old Has made their First Communion and received the sacrament of Confirmation If married, has been married in the Catholic Church Is not cohabiting (living with someone, outside of marriage) Normally attends Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation Receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once per year Goes to Holy Communion at least once per year in the Easter season Is in communion with the Holy See. Is supportive of the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church It is desirable that the Baptismal sponsors be the sponsors for Confirmation If the sponsor is from outside the Albuquerque area, one of the parents must substitute for the sponsor during all sponsor-candidate activities.
Sponsor Requirements Continued Purpose of your sponsor To provide spiritual support and an example to your child in the context of the Roman Catholic Church. They should expect to help the parents raise the child in the good practice of the Catholic faith. It is not a position you should bestow on someone for the purpose of honoring them, unless they meet all of the above requirements. Your chosen sponsor should be someone who will be in regular contact with your child throughout their lives.
Sponsor Requirements Continued Sponsor may be a member of Nativity parish or any other parish within the Church. We need to know the name and contact information for your sponsor by 26 November so we can contact them to attend planned sponsor-candidate events. If they are not a member of Nativity of B.V.M. parish, we must receive a permit from their home parish, verifying their membership in that parish. This permit must be accomplished before Christmas break. If you know your sponsor will be from another parish, please make plans early to have their home parish contact our office to complete the required paperwork in time for the ceremony.
Youth Group EACH CANDIDATE is REQUIRED to join the Nativity youth group for the entire Confirmation year. The youth group will meet every first Sunday of the month, beginning with 1230 Mass in the church, followed by the meeting in the Pastoral Center. Each candidate is required to attend 5 of the 6 meetings in order to be confirmed. Membership in the youth group replaces the former requirement for Ministry Hours throughout the year.
Christian Service Projects Monthly Saturday offsite Christian service visits. Fiesta Blue Star Mothers Casa de Rosa Good Shepherd Center Byzantine Rite Catholic Church Santuario in Chimayo Each Candidate is required to attend 50% of the offsite fieldtrips. This year that equates to three of the six offered.
Required Prayers Two basic prayers essential to the Catholic faith Need to memorize and demonstrate proficiency for the following prayers as well as the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prayer to the Holy Spirit Nicene Creed Creed is the synopsis of the Roman Catholic faith Concentrating more on the meaning of the Creed rather than just rote memorization. Two classes dedicated. Discussing each section of Creed to provide the students with the knowledge of what the church professes and what they profess every week at Mass.
Saint Report Candidates will provide a written report on the Saint they have chosen for their Confirmation name. The purpose of this report is to give the candidate the opportunity to learn about the life and work of their chosen Saint. The report must be at least one page in length, single-spaced, Times New Roman font with 12 Pitch. If you do not have a computer, please come into the office to use our computer lab. Although the research will be done on the Internet or with books, the report must be written in your own words.
Saint Report Continued Answer the following questions in your Saint report. 1. What is the name of your Saint and why did you choose him/her? 2. When and where did this person live? 3. What were the dates of birth and death? 4. What type of family did they grow up in? Provide information about family members such as number of family members, type of occupation, devotion to the Church, etc. 5. What were the circumstances of their conversion experience? (What happened in their life to draw them to God?) 6. What was the talent of this Saint?
Saint Report Continued Answer the following questions in your Saint report. 7. What miracles are associated with your Saint? 8. If this person was martyred, what was the cause of their death? 9. Is your Saint a Patron Saint? 10. What is he/she a Patron Saint of? (See the Saint list for help.) 11. Is there a Shrine to your saint? 12. If so, where is it/are they located? 13. Is your Saint incorrupt? 14. If so, where is the body located? Useful websites: www.americancatholic.org or www.usccb.org.
Archbishop Letter Requirements Archbishop s Letter Requirements: Archbishop interested in student s answers to general questions about them and their relationship to the Church. What do you like about being a Catholic? Why do you want to be confirmed? This letter is due to the R.E. Office not later than 17/20 April 2011.
General Requirements Classroom Behavior: Attendance: Weather: Special Activities Dress Code Cell Phone Emergencies Student Boundaries Not allowed outside building Supplies Parent Participation Drivers Parish Website www.n-bvm.org Prayers/Fruits/Gifts Holy Spirit Nicene Creed
1 st Semester Calendar 29 August---------------------------Teacher In-service---------------------------Training 5 September--------------------------Labor Day-----------------------------------No Class 12 September-------------------------Fiesta--------------------------------------All Classes 19/22 September--------------------First Day of Class----------------------------Class #1 26/29 September-------------------Protect our Children--------------------------Class #2 2 October----------------------Fall Packing for the Troops---------------------------8 am 3 October-----------------------------Youth Group------------------------------12:30 Mass 10 October---------------------------Columbus Day--------------------------------No class 17/20 October--------------------Prayer to the Holy Spirit-----------------------Class #3 24/27 October---------------------Gifts of the Holy Spirit------------------------Class #4 31 Oct/3Nov----------------------------Saints Lesson------------------------------Class #5 7 November---------------------------Youth Group-----------------------------12:30 Mass 14/17 November------------------Fruits of the Holy Spirit-----------------------Class #6 20 November------------------Christmas Packing for the Troops------------------8 am 21/24 November-----------------------Advent Lesson-----------------------------Class #7 28 Nov/1 Dec-----------------------Thanksgiving Break -------------------------No Class 4 December---------------------------Casa de Rosa----------------------------9 am classes 5 December---------------------------Youth Group-----------------------------12:30 Mass 11 December--------------------------Casa de Rosa----------------------------1045 classes 12/15 December----------------------Christmas Lesson---------------------------Class #8 18 December--------------------------Casa de Rosa------------------------------Wed class 19 December---------------------------Christmas Break--------------------------No Class 26 December--------------------------New Year s Break-------------------------No Class
2nd Semester Calendar 2/5 January-------------------------------Mass Lesson-----------------------------Class #9 9/12 January----------------------------Creed Plaques----------------------------Class #10 15 January------------------------------Good Shepherd------------------------9 am classes 16 January------------------------------MLK Day----------------------------------No Class 22 January------------------------------Good Shepherd------------------------1045 classes 23/26 January---------------------------Creed Plaques----------------------------Class #11 29 January------------------------------Good Shepherd---------------------------Wed class 30 Jan/2 Feb----------------------------Creed Lesson-----------------------------Class #12 6 February-------------------------------Youth Group----------------------------12:30 Mass 12 February---------------------------Byzantine Church--------------------------All classes 13/16 February-------------------------Creed Lesson-----------------------------Class #13 19 February -----------------------Plaque/Bible Presentations--------------------5:30 pm 20 February--------------------------President s Day------------------------------No Class 26 February -----------------------Plaque/Bible Presentations--------------------5:30 pm 27 Feb/2 Mar-----------------------Write Saint Report---------------------------Class #14 5 March----------------------SANTUARIO PILGRIMAGE-------------------All Classes 6 March---------------------------------Youth Group-----------------------------12:30 Mass 13 March--------------------------------Spring Break------------------------------No Class
2nd Semester Calendar (Continued) 20/23 March----------------------Saint Report Discussion------------------------Class #15 27/30 March--------------------Catholic Social Teaching------------------------Class #16 3 April----------------------------------Youth Group------------------------------12:30 Mass 9 April--------------------------------------TBD--------------------------------------All classes 10/13 April-----------------------Write Archbishop Letter-----------------------Class #17 17/20 April-----------------------Triduum/Easter Lesson-------------------------Class #18 24 April----------------------------------Easter Break--------------------------------No Class 30 April-----------------------------3 pm Reconciliation----------------------9 am classes 1/4 May------------------------------------Testing------------------------------------Class #19 7 May-------------------------------3 pm Reconciliation-----------------------1045 classes 8/11 May -------------------------------Test Makeup--------------------------------Class #20 12 May------------------------Confirmation Practice-St Joseph s---------------------7 pm 14 May-----------------------------3 pm Reconciliation-----------------------Wed classes 15 May---------------------------------Last Day of Class----------------------------Class #21 16 May----------------------------Confirmation-St Joseph s------------------------5:30 pm
Reconciliation Dates Reconciliation Must be accomplished prior to Confirmation ceremony 3 pm every Saturday 30 April 9 am classes 7 May 10:45 am classes 13 May Wednesday classes
Confirmation Dates Practice Thursday, 12 May 2011 7p.m. St Joseph s on the Rio Grande Candidate and Sponsor (Mandatory Please make arrangements now) Ceremony Monday, 16 May 2011 7 p.m.- St Joseph s Presider Archbishop Michael Sheehan Candidates Arrival No Later Than 5:30 p.m. Check in Get Dressed Receive Saint Nametags Meet with Archbishop