|
|
|
What is Confirmation?
St. Clare of Montefalco Confirmation May 15, 2011
|
|
1285 Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation
together constitute the "sacraments of Christian initiation,"
whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the
faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is
necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the
sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly
bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of
the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ,
more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and
deed."
THE EFFECTS OF CONFIRMATION
1302 It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the
sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy
Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.
1303 From this fact, Confirmation brings an increase and
deepening of baptismal grace:
- it roots us more deeply in
the divine filiation which makes us cry, "Abba! Father!";
- it unites us more firmly to Christ;
- it increases the
gifts of the Holy Spirit in us;
- it renders our bond with
the Church more perfect;
- it gives us a special strength of
the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and
action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of
Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross:
Recall then that you have received the spiritual seal, the
spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment
and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence, the spirit
of holy fear in God's presence. Guard what you have received.
God the Father has marked you with his sign; Christ the Lord has
confirmed you and has placed his pledge, the Spirit, in your
hearts.
1304 Like Baptism which it completes, Confirmation is given only
once, for it too imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual
mark, the "character," which is the sign that Jesus Christ has
marked a Christian with the seal of his Spirit by clothing him
with power from on high so that he may be his witness.
1305 This "character" perfects the common priesthood of the
faithful, received in Baptism, and "the confirmed person
receives the power to profess faith in Christ publicly and as it
were officially (quasi ex officio)."
1306 Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should
receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Since Baptism,
Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that "the
faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the
appropriate time, "for without Confirmation and Eucharist,
Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian
initiation remains incomplete.
1308 Although Confirmation is sometimes called the "sacrament of
Christian maturity," we must not confuse adult faith with the
adult age of natural growth, nor forget that the baptismal grace
is a grace of free, unmerited election and does not need
"ratification" to become effective. St. Thomas reminds us of
this:
Age of body does not determine age of soul. Even in
childhood man can attain spiritual maturity: as the book of
Wisdom says: "For old age is not honored for length of time, or
measured by number of years. "Many children, through the
strength of the Holy Spirit they have received, have bravely
fought for Christ even to the shedding of their blood.
1309 Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the
Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more
lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit - his actions, his
gifts, and his biddings - in order to be more capable of
assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To
this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a
sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal
Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special
responsibility for the preparation of confirmandi.
1310 To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace.
One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be
cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit. More intense prayer
should prepare one to receive the strength and graces of the
Holy Spirit with docility and readiness to act.
1311 Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek
the spiritual help of a sponsor. To emphasize the unity of the
two sacraments, it is appropriate that this be one of the
baptismal godparents.
1316 Confirmation perfects Baptismal
grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order
to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us
more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church,
associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear
witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.
1317 Confirmation, like Baptism, imprints a spiritual mark or
indelible character on the Christian's soul; for this reason one
can receive this sacrament only once in one's life.
1319 A candidate for Confirmation who has attained the age of
reason must profess the faith, be in the state of grace, have
the intention of receiving the sacrament, and be prepared to
assume the role of disciple and witness to Christ, both within
the ecclesial community and in temporal affairs.
1320 The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the
forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism (in the East other
sense-organs as well), together with the laying on of the
minister's hand and the words: "Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus
Sancti" (Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.) in the
Roman Rite, or "The seal of the gift that is the Holy Spirit" in
the Byzantine rite.
1321 When Confirmation is celebrated separately from Baptism,
its connection with Baptism is expressed, among other ways, by
the renewal of baptismal promises. The celebration of
Confirmation during the Eucharist helps underline the unity of
the sacraments of Christian initiation.
Confirmation Preparation at St. Clare
of Montefalco Catholic Church is a two year process.
*7th
and 8th graders
have new textbooks to enhance their preparation for the
sacrament of Confirmation
-
7th graders:
-
Jesus In the New
Testament text, Faith First Legacy edition with the New
Roman Missal,
-
and
Mystery of God,
Faith First Legacy edition with the New Roman Missal,
-
Essentials For
Christian Living, published by the U.S. Catholic
Bishops, which contains all the “basics” and traditional
prayers of our Catholic Faith.
This book will be used in both 7th and 8th
grade, and is a helpful guide in preparing for Confirmation
interviews with the priests.
New 7th
grade semester texts
·Faith
and Life Grade 8
Our Life In The
Church Text, with student textbook and Confirmation
journal.
YouCat,
a Youth Catechism book dealing with moral development for
young teens.
New 8th grade Catechism
YOUCAT is short for Youth Catechism of the
Catholic Church, which will be launched on World Youth Day.
Developed with the help of young Catholics and written for
teens,
YOUCAT is an accessible, contemporary expression of the
Catholic Faith. The appealing graphic format includes
Questions-and-Answers, highly-readable commentary, summary
definitions of key terms, Bible citations and inspiring and
thought-provoking quotes from Saints and others in the margins.
What's more,
YOUCAT is keyed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
so teens can go deeper. It explains:
- What Catholics believe and why
(doctrine)
- How Catholics celebrate the mysteries
of the faith (sacraments)
- How Catholics are to live (moral life)
- How they should pray (prayer and
spirituality)
The questions are direct and honest, even at times tough; the
answers straightforward, relevant, and compelling. YOUCAT will
likely become the "go-to" place for young people to learn the
truth about the Catholic faith.
Illustrated.
What Pope Benedict XVI has to say about the YOUCAT project:
"Study this Catechism with passion and perseverance. Make a
sacrifice of your time for it! Study it in the quiet of your
room; read it with a friend; form study groups and networks;
share with each other on the Internet. By all means continue to
talk with each other about your faith. This book is exciting
because it speaks of our own destiny and so deeply engages every
one of us.
"You need to know what you believe. You need to know your
faith with that same precision with which an IT specialist knows
the inner workings of a computer. You need to understand it like
a good musician knows the piece he is playing. Yes, you need to
be more deeply rooted in the faith than the generation of your
parents so that you can engage the challenges and temptations of
this time with strength and determination."
New 8th grade Confirmation text
The
Faith and Life Third Edition series is a minor
update to the
Revised Edition series so that all text and
liturgical references conform to the implementation of the new
Roman Missal.
Revised Edition teachers' manuals may continue to be
used with the
Third Edition
text and activity books as the changes
are relatively few. Check out the
Faith and Life series website.
Requirements of Confirmation Sponsors
-
at least sixteen years old and
-
baptized and confirmed and received the
Eucharist
-
living an upright life
-
no penalties (e.g., left the Church, etc.).
Therefore, a Catholic who has left the Catholic Church
cannot be a sponsor, and cannot be a "Christian witness" if
they join another Christian communion.
-
cannot be either parent
-
Age—exception:
-
The pastor or the minister of baptism may
admit a Catholic who is younger than sixteen.
-
In this case, the Catholic who is younger
than 16 must meet requirements above (i.e., full
initiation, etc.).
-
"Christian Witness"
-
baptized non-Catholic with Catholic sponsor
-
The other sponsor may be a baptized Christian
of a different faith. This person is a "Christian
witness" (and not a "sponsor").
-
The other witness with a Catholic sponsor may
never be non-baptized. For example, Jewish or Muslim
godparents are not permitted by universal church law.
-
From the 1983 Code of Canon Law Canon 874, §1: To be
admitted to the role of sponsors, a person must:
-
be designated by the one to be baptized, by
the parents or the one who takes their place or, in
their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have
the qualifications and intention of performing this
role.
-
have completed their sixteenth year, unless a
different age has been established by the diocesan
bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister that an
exception is to be made for a just cause;
-
be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has
already received the sacrament of the Most Holy
Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and
the role to be undertaken;
-
not be bound by a canonical penalty
legitimately imposed or declared.
-
not be the father or the mother of the one to
be baptized.
CONFIRMATION DISCIPLE GROUPS
for 7TH and 8TH GRADERS 2011-2012
WHAT ARE DISCIPLE GROUPS?
Disciple
Groups include four to six young people in 7th and 8th
grade with one or two adult mentors to help plan and carry out
service projects with them. Disciple Groups are optional but
highly encouraged.
WHO MENTORS THE DISCIPLE GROUPS?
Mentors for
these groups have come from the entire St. Clare Parish
Community. Parents participate as well as aunts, grandparents,
sponsors, young adults and senior members of our community.
Usually a Disciple Group finds its own mentor. A Confirmation
sponsor may act as a Disciple group leader.
Parents and candidates should form and select their own
disciple group.
WHAT ARE THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCIPLE GROUP LEADERS?
Disciple
Group Leaders should be Confirmed Catholic adults who have
submitted a criminal background check form to the Religious
Education office and taken a Protecting God’s Children (PGC)
class. You may
register for a PGC class and download a background check form
at:
http://www.aodonline.org/AODOnline/Safe+Environments+14627/090126Abuse.htm
No adults
may mentor children until these two requirements are met,
pursuant to the safe environments policy of the Archdiocese of
Detroit.
WHY PARTICIPATE IN A DISCIPLE GROUP?
A goal of
St. Clare’s
Religious Education program is that the students not only
understand the meaning of being a disciple of Jesus Christ, but
also to become disciples and participate in the life, mission
and work of the Church.
The
purpose of the disciple group program is to make these service
experiences worthwhile and enjoyable for young people as a
group.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STUDENTS:
7th
grade religious education students are asked to complete 15
service hours per year.
8th grade religious education students are
asked to complete 15 service hours per year.
Since Religious education students meet only weekly,
(instead of daily like St. Clare School students)
their number of service
hours differs.
ST. CLARE SCHOOL STUDENTS:
7th
grade St. Clare School students are asked to complete 30 service
hours per year. 8th
grade St. Clare students are asked to complete 30 service hours
per year. School
students are required to perform more hours because they have
religion classes five days a week and weekly Mass, and are
therefore able to acquire more service hours more readily
because it is part of the curricula.
Disciple
Groups are just one of a variety of ways to complete a portion
of the total service project hours required.
WHERE CAN WE FIND IDEAS FOR SERVICE?
There are
opportunities in a variety of
areas - family,
neighborhood, parish, school, and community. Please call the
Religious Education Office at (313) 647-5057 and speak with the
Director of Religious Education, Miss Michelle Brock, for
contact names and organizations that would welcome young people
to do service ministry for them.
You may also contact Mr. Michael
McDevitt, Christian Service Coordinator at (313) 647-5025.
HOW DO STUDENTS
KEEP TRACK OF THEIR SERVICE HOURS?
The students
are given a service hour certificate (which is also available on
our parish Confirmation web page) to fill out to verify the
service they have completed. The certificate is turned into
their catechist each semester.
The certificate includes the date, service description,
how long the service took, and a signature by a parent, mentor
or person who received the service.
The catechist/teachers and director of religious
education periodically reviews this record, and it is also
reviewed by the priests during Confirmation interviews.
ARE THERE DEADLINES FOR COMPLETING THE SERVICE PROJECTS?
A
written service verification certificate should be completed for
each project and submitted to the student’s catechist/teacher or
to the religious education office each semester.
All service project certificates are due after the
project is completed.
All service hours are to be completed by April 4, 2012.
DISCIPLE
GROUP MENTOR RECORD FORM
|
|
Download
Forms (click below) for Candidates and Sponsors:
St. Clare School Students are to return all forms and
papers to Miss Knaus.
Religious Education Students are to return all forms and
papers to the Religious Education Office.
Request for
Enrollment As a Candidate for
Confirmation/Contract/Commitment Form Due November
1, 2011
Sponsor Certificate due
January 14, 2012 at the workshop
Confirmation Name and Saint Report Form:
due February 29, 2012
Confirmation Christian
Service Hour Report Due April 4, 2012
Service Hour Log Sheet
due
after each project is completed to their
catechist or St. Clare School teacher
Wednesday Program lesson plans
Sunday
Family Program lesson plans
Candidates preparing for Confirmation at Saint Clare should exhibit:
-
faithful weekly attendance at Sunday
Mass and weekly attendance and participation at religious education classes,
-
earnest involvement with service projects.
-
attendance and participation by parent/sponsor and youth in the
Confirmation preparation sessions listed below:
|
7th Grade
Confirmation Program
Catechetical preparation
for the Sacrament of Confirmation begins in the 7th grade at
St. Clare of Montefalco Church. 7th grade Candidates
are asked to attend a meeting with their
parents on January 25, 2012 at 7;00 p.m., to learn about disciple groups, to do Christian
service, and are welcomed
into the process formally with the Rite of Acceptance on
February 5, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Mass.
Candidates should
choose a sponsor and be thinking about their Confirmation
name that they will select, research the saint's name, and
be attending Mass weekly with their family. The best
preparation for this sacrament occurs when parents are
involved and make attending mass together each week a
priority in their family life. Confirmation interviews
take place in the 8th grade with the priests.
Weekly attendance at all
religious education classes is important. A child who
has repeated unexcused absences from class will have their
parents contacted. After three absences, a parent
conference with the director of religious education will be
required.
IMPORTANT LINKS
ABOUT THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION:
|
8th Grade
Confirmation Program
Candidates begin their preparation for the sacrament of
Confirmation in 7th grade at St. Clare of Montefalco Church.
A parent-candidate meeting takes place in the fall, followed
by a mandatory day-time retreat at Subiaco St. Benedict
Retreat House in Oxford, MI on December 1, 2011. The Rite of Enrollment takes
place in the winter with the candidates on January 14, 2012
at 4:00 p.m. mass, and their parents, and
their sponsors.
In 8th grade, the students should be completing their Christian Service
hours and be an active part of a
disciple group. All Confirmation candidates must participate
in an interview with one of the priests in the spring,
during the week of March 28, 2012 where
they will be asked a series of questions and be expected to
know their Catholic prayers, and be able to share what they
know about their Catholic faith. a Candidate-parent-sponsor
workshop with a guest speaker is held in the winter. A
Confirmation Name Saint Report will be due on February 29,
2012, and the priests will ask the candidates about the name
that the candidates have chosen during their interview with
them.
Attendance at religious education classes is expected and a
candidate with unexcused absences will have their parents
contacted. After three absences, a parent conference
with the director of religious education will be required.
Weekly attendance at mass is an essential part of
preparation for those candidates preparing to celebrate this
sacrament.
A rehearsal is held the week before Confirmation on April
26, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. for
candidates and sponsors. Confirmation is celebrated in
the spring with the Bishop as presider. After the
celebration of Confirmation, we invite all of the teens who
have been fully initiated into the Catholic faith to
participate in our high school youth ministry program, to
continue their Catholic faith formation.
Sponsor-Candidate Workshop: January 14, 2012 4:00 p.m.
mandatory Mass, dinner and workshop with guest speaker Mr.
John Lajiness, Director of Religious Education from St.
Andrew Parish, Rochester, MI from 5:00-7:30 p.m. in
Church Social Hall. The
Rite of Enrollment will take place at this liturgy. Sponsor
certificates are due at this workshop.
Letter to Pastor (Rev. David Brecht, OSA) formally
requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation with a copy of your
Baptismal Certificate stapled to it, are due via U.S. mail
to Fr. Brecht by February 1, 2012
Three-page typed Confirmation Saint Report due are all due
to the religious education office February 29, 2012
Confirmation Interviews with the priests, week of March 28,
2012
Confirmation Service Log sheets are all due to the religious
education office April 4, 2012
Rehearsal for Confirmation Thursday, April 26 from 7:00-8:30
p.m. in Church.
Celebration of Confirmation, Bishop Francis R.
Reiss, Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
