Confirmation 2015 Info Session Thurs. December 4, 2014.

Welcome & Opening Prayer

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS Thank you to Bev and Denise for helping with the Welcome desk.

Please take only 1 Handout Booklet per family If any are left after the meeting, you are welcome to take another.

Intro Meeting Handouts Each package should contain Letter dated December 3, 2014 Family Bonding Homework Activities 2015 Confirmation topics Choosing a Confirmation Name Handout Getting to know your Sponsor/Candidate: Discussion Questions Confirmation Service Hours Record Sheet

Meeting Overview Objective of Confirmation Preparation Schedule Requirements About Sponsors Expectations Attendance Website Downloads

Meeting Overview (Continued) No Sponsor? Volunteers Needed Sign up sheets Reminders Announcements Questions?

What is Confirmation? Section 203-207 of YouCat - 1 of the 7 Sacraments - Completes our Baptism Strengthens the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that we first receive in Baptism. Helps us live out our faith and act as witnesses of Jesus Christ Receive a special seal on our soul that marks us forever as a Christian

Pope Francis

Pope Francis on the Sacrament of Confirmation “The most important thing that can happen to a person, is to encounter Jesus: the encounter with Jesus who loves us, who has saved us, who gave his life for us -- to encounter Jesus…. in prayer, when we go to Mass, and when we do good works, when we visit the sick, when we help a poor person, when we think of others, when we aren’t egoistic, when we are kind.” “You… with the seal of the Holy Spirit, will have more strength for this journey, to encounter Jesus. Be courageous, don’t be afraid! Life is this journey, and the most beautiful gift is to encounter Jesus. Forward, courage!” ~ Pope Francis addressing Confirmation youth December 2, 2013.

Objective of Confirmation Preparation Through fostering encounter and relationship with Jesus Christ, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, the Confirmation ministry aims to: Joyfully prepare youth in grades 6 to 12 to receive Confirmation, which is the second sacrament of Initiation, thereby sealing their baptism and embarking upon an ongoing and life-long process of conversion and mission.

Objective of Confirmation Preparation Receiving the sacrament of Confirmation means you want to be with us – the People of God – at Church EVERY SUNDAY, celebrating the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith. OVERALL GOAL OF INITIATION: Full participation in Sunday Eucharist; therefore our Confirmation ministry need to illustrate to families and youth why Sunday Eucharist is so important. We intend on ensuring all our activities point towards fostering encounter and relationship with Christ, and the Eucharist as the source and summit of our faith as well as its inter-relationship with the other Sacraments of Initiation.

Confirmation Preparation Acts 1:8 – “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witnesses.” Gather, Proclaim, Break, Send Lots of games, fun, activities, small groups, prayer and reflection. 4 Super Saturdays for candidates, 1 retreat, and then Mass with the rite of Confirmation

SAINTS * 5 points * Costume Family Homework SAINTS * 5 points * Costume

Confirmation Schedule 4 SUPER SATURDAYS Confirmation Students Only Complete family bonding homework activity before each Super Saturday Bring lunch, snack, indoor shoes, & water bottle 4 Super Saturdays – January 10, February 7, March 7, and April 11 10 am sign in 3:15 pm Mass in Church – families invited 4:00 pm end

Confirmation Schedule Confirmation Retreat May 16, 2015. Sponsors & Candidates in attendance If sponsor cannot be present, then another adult who can stand in and inform sponsor what missed 10 AM start Lunch provided by the Church on this date There will be a Confirmation rehearsal Finish with Reconciliation service (no Mass on this date) 4 PM end

Confirmation Schedule Confirmation Day – May 17, 2015. Sponsors and Candidates will meet at 2:15pm in MacNeil Hall on this date Ask parents NOT to come into Hall, as it will already be very full. Instead find a seat in Church as it will fill up quickly.

Requirements for Confirmation Family Homework Reflection Journals Attendance Confirmation Saint Service Hours

Who can be a Sponsor? Practicing Catholics who are fully initiated (having received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) and attends Sunday Mass weekly Willing and able to help the Confirmation candidate live their life as a Christian At least 16 years of age Willing to make the life-long commitment of being a prayer partner and mentor to the youth Suggest same person who acted as a godparent at Baptism CANNOT be either the father or the mother of the youth being Confirmed. One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient, but there may be two, one of each gender. No more than 2 sponsors (1 male and 1 female) is allowed. When choosing a sponsor, ask yourself whether this person leads a life that you want to imitate and inspires you in the faith?

Expectations of Confirmation Students Be on time Complete Confirmation requirements Sign in at the beginning of every Confirmation event Respect 100 % no texting, listening to mp3s or ipods during Super Saturday events Positive – no put downs; positive speech and action Attendance Not allowed to leave hall. If parent has to pick up youth, parent must come into hall and speak with me first. May be asked to assist with Confirmation Masses, readings, prayers of the faithful, bringing up gifts.

Expectations of Confirmation Parents drop off + pick up on time too early or too late causes difficulties for volunteers. If parent has to pick up youth, parent must come into hall and speak with me first Pray with and for your child + their sponsor Complete Family Homework Activities with youth Make attending Sunday Mass as a family a priority

Expectations of Confirmation Sponsors Attend May 16 retreat & May 17 Mass with the Rite of Confirmation Pray with and for students Getting to Know You Sponsor and Candidate Discussion Questions Check in with youth after Super Saturdays Foster Confirmation candidate’s faith Lifelong commitment; send Christmas card and or phone call at least every year thereafter

Attendance Mandatory attendance If family emergency or illness, give Angela as much notice as possible & parent responsibility to ensure make up work is completed and submitted to Angela Sport practices do not count as family emergencies Missing more than one Super Saturday = missing ½ of the Confirmation preparation Meet with Fr. Jim &/or myself to discuss ability to proceed forward to Confirmation

Website Resources

Bulletin & Downloads  Sacrament of Confirmation

Youth & Young Adult Ministry

No Sponsor? Any families still looking for a sponsor? * Youth needing sponsor asked to stand up * Any fully initiated Catholics here willing to be youth’s sponsor?

NEED SMALL GROUP VOLUNTEERS Adults 18 years and older who are fully initiated practicing Catholics that love Jesus and love youth Willing to complete Archdiocese screening process Supervise at Super Saturdays and retreat + help lead small groups Provided with schedule and small group questions in advance Attend a training session to help answer all questions. Plz SIGN UP - We require more volunteers or will not be meeting archdiocesan policy re: adult to youth ratio

Youth Service Hour Opportunities ALTAR SERVERS – any youth here already trained as altar servers? We will need your help during Super Saturday Masses. Just sign up & earn hrs! READERS – during Super Saturday 3:15 pm Masses. Grow in public speaking & earn service hours. PICS CREW – Confirmation volunteers who take photos and video during Confirmation events then provide copies to Angela. Gain service hours! But only if submit the work. SET UP & CLEAN UP CREW – sign up to volunteer with Super Saturdays set up or clean up. CHILDREN’S CHOIR – sing your heart out! Gain service hrs for Friday practices, 4th Sunday Masses, Super Saturdays & Confirmation! SIGN UP ON VOLUNTEER SHEETS BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

Youth Service Hour Opportunities www.strcp.com/volunteer

Reminders about Super Saturdays Family Homework

Important Items Forms Status – always check at sign in Email address required or you will not receive any information or updates Add angela@strcp.com to your address book Baptismal certificates please provide copy even if child was baptized at St. Theresa’s If certificate is in a different language, make sure translate into English on back of photocopy

Family Homework: Before January 10 As a family, go through photos of your child's baptism Together watch Sacraments 101: Baptism video Getting to Know Your Sponsor and Candidate Discussion Questions

St. Theresa’s Parish Bookstore Check it out for Confirmation gifts and more!

First Friday Movie Night: Mary of Nazareth Friday, December 5  Starts at 7:00 pm in the parish hall.  Everyone is invited! Presented by THE APOSTLES OF THE HOLY FACE & THE SECULAR FRANCISCANS

For gr. 9-12 Christmas Party Sun December 7, 2014 from 7:30-9:00 pm in St. Theresa's parish hall We'll play present passing games, carol jeopardy, watch a classic Christmas cartoon, eat lots of nummy snacks and socialize.

Mon December 8, 2014 from 6:30-8:30 pm in St. Theresa's parish hall For grades 6-8 Mon December 8, 2014 from 6:30-8:30 pm in St. Theresa's parish hall We'll be watching the movie "Elf," eating snacks, making Christmas ornaments and having a great time.

Grade 9 to 12 Retreat

Questions? Closing Prayer

SIGN UP SHEETS Sign up for volunteering Pencils on table All for You retreat registrations on table

HELPING WITH CHAIRS BLACK chairs go in black metal rollers. Metal rollers located at back of hall against wall Make sure all 4 chair legs inside metal frame. GREY chairs can be left where are ORANGE chairs can be left where are