1. Confirmation 2015 Info Session Thurs. December 4, 2014.

2. Welcome & Opening Prayer

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

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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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

9. Pope Francis

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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

14. SAINTS * 5 points * Costume
Family Homework
SAINTS
* 5 points
* Costume

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

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

19. 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?

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Website Resources

25. Bulletin & Downloads  Sacrament of Confirmation

26. Youth & Young Adult Ministry

27. 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?

28. 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

29. 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!

30. Youth Service Hour Opportunities

31. Reminders about Super Saturdays
Family Homework

32. Important Items Forms Status – always check at sign in
address required or you will not receive any information or updates
Add 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

33. 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

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

35. 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

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. Grade 9 to 12 Retreat

39. Questions? Closing Prayer

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

41. 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