Confirmation Information and Requirements

Opening Prayer All: Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Father Dan: Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, All: And you shall renew the face of the earth. Father Dan: Let us pray. All: O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Joan of Arc Youth Group Dynamics! St. Joan of Arc Youth Group

Sacraments of Initiation Today Baptism welcomes you into the Church as a new creation in Christ Confirmation strengthens you to go out as a witness to Christ and the Church Eucharist is the source and summit of encounter with Christ

Confirmation Preparation - Sunday Religious Education - Day School

In this packet you will find…. Important guidelines, dates, and forms with specific deadlines. It is your responsibility to keep track of these forms and to pay attention to the indicated deadlines. This includes: Retreat information Sponsor Information Letter of Intention (formal request for Confirmation) Confirmation Name Guidelines for Service Projects

Prayers, Teaching, and Traditions of our Catholic Faith You should be able to recite the following: Sign of the Cross Our Father Hail Mary Glory Be Act of Contrition Apostles Creed and/or Nicene Creed You should have knowledge of:  Holy Days of Obligation The Seven Sacraments The Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Ten Commandments Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary

Important Dates on the Journey to Confirmation

Important Due Dates

Rite of Commitment – Saturday Nov 5th at 4:30 Mass All students are expected to attend Parents/family and sponsors are encouraged/welcome Students will sign the forms during the Mass Parents will sign the forms tonight at parent meeting

Rite of Commitment – EXAMPLE of Commitments Cooperate to the best of my ability with the parish program preparing me for the Sacrament of Confirmation Take an active part in the faith life of my parish by attending Mass each weekend and Holy Day and frequently receive the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation. Participate in the learning sessions, activities, and spiritual opportunities provided by my parish community Offer my talents and services where needed Accept more responsibility in my family, community and parish Try to come to know Jesus better through daily prayer and frequent reading of scripture. Seriously reflect on my decision to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Retreat – November 6th 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Gifted Retreat Retreat themes: I AM GIFTED – Participants are led to a self-awareness and expression of their personal gifts. WE ARE GIFTED – Discovery and affirmation of the giftedness of others. THE GIFTS ARE FROM GOD – Acknowledgement that the Lord is the giver of all gifts. WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST – Participants are led to service. As we take our place in service to God, we take our role as the Body of Christ.

Retreat – November 6th 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Details Please be prompt at both drop off and pick up times. Feel free to come in, meet the Retreat leaders. Lunch will be pizza and a drink. If you have dietary restrictions, please bring a lunch. If you have food allergies, please let us know. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a pillow that you can sit on. Good part of the day will be group exercise on the floor.

Sponsors The Church requirements for sponsors are: Sponsor must be practicing Catholic (other than a parent) who has sufficient maturity for this role (sponsor should be at least 16 years of age) Sponsor must be fully-initiated Catholic (has received Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation) who lives a Christian way of life Sponsor should be an individual who takes an active interest in the Confirmand’s faith

Sponsors The sponsor reflects the following actions through his/her lifestyle, while inviting the candidate to reflect these actions as well:   Fostering a relationship with Jesus Celebrating that relationship through involvement in our Church family Being of service to others and sharing one’s gifts and talents with the community Please see more detailed suggestions for Sponsors in Packet and Form

Candidate and Sponsor Event A good way to enter into this lifelong bond that you two will share is with an event. If distance prohibits this event in the start, postpone until a future scheduled time or consider having a discussion on the phone or skype.   Candidate: Share why you chose them as your sponsor, memories you have of them being witness to their faith, or just their presence in your life. Let them know where you are in your faith journey and how you plan to continue to grow. Sponsor: Tell the candidate what you see as their gifts and how important it is for them to nurture and share them. Share what your own experience of Confirmation was like. Share some events in your life, both ups and downs, and how/what role your faith played in those events.

Letter to the Bishop Greeting Dear Bishop Rassas, Body of Letter Introduce yourself – tell something about your family, your background, your interests   Request the Sacrament – give several reasons why you want to be Confirmed Explain how you have prepared for the Sacrament (prayer life, service, celebration of other Sacraments, etc) Explain how you will continue to carry out your life of service (make Confirmation real and alive in the future) Conclusion Conclude the letter and sign your full name

Accepting a Confirmation Name When you accept a new name, it is to be a name of a recognized saint of the Catholic Church. The saint whose name you receive will serve as a patron and model for you. You will have a special relationship with this saint, and this saint can intercede and pray for you. You will need to find out more about the life of that saint and compete the following information. Your Name Saint’s Name Name or derivative you will receive to honor this special patron Saint’s Feast Day Information about the saint’s family, occupation, life/death Virtues this saint practiced in life What attracted you to this saint How the saint will help you grow in your faith even after Confirmation

Guidelines for Service Projects You are asked to complete a minimum of 30 hours. You should not receive payment for your volunteer service. Family Service – service starts in the family. This is going beyond usual chores. You can do something individually for someone in your family, or complete a family service project. Helping with yard work cheerfully Cleaning out the garage without complaining Baby-sitting for free for parents or aunts and uncles (5 hours max) Visiting or helping an older relative 

Guidelines for Service Projects Community Service – we are part of the community and can use opportunities to promote the Gospel.   Volunteering at a nursing home/hospital Teaching dance lessons Help coach a sports team Work with charitable organizations Help with soup kitchen For more opportunities and details see the SJA School website, GIVING tab http://www.saintjoanofarc.net/school/service-hours/

Guidelines for Service Projects Church Service – we are all part of the Church family, so by volunteering in the Church, you are helping to strengthen the Church, grow in your faith, and help others grow in their faith. You can do this individually, with your family, or with a small group. Singing or playing an instrument in the Church choir Helping with any of the various ministries in the church Please read details about service etiquette.

Service Hours Form and Record Basics: Name, Date, Place, Duration, Description, Signature In order for your service hour(s) to be valid, the following reflection questions must be filled out, in complete thoughts and sentences for Church, Community and Family. What did you find most challenging in completing your service hour(s)? Why? Looking back over your service, what was your most enjoyable experience? Why? What did you find to be the most rewarding part of this service opportunity? Why? What are two ways that you will continue to offer service as you move into high school? What would you say to encourage a friend who feels that it is not necessary to help others as a volunteer?

Information Form

Holy Fire event at UIC Pavilion details Saturday October 15th 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Grades 6 through 9 Bus will leave Saint Mary Parking Lot at 7:30 am and return at 5:00 pm Need commitment by the 5th at the very latest. Cost is $35 and $25 for the bus. Pay via cash, check, or online on St Nicholas website on Give Central (Event Name: YM Holy Fire).  Chaperone to student ratio is 1-6.  Information required for each student. -Full name -Parents names -phone number  -email -address  -school grade and school name   James Holzhauer-Chuckas, Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry St. Nicholas Church  806 Ridge Avenue Evanston, IL 60202 (W) www.nickchurch.org (P) 847.864.1185 x26 (F) 847.864.7810