Confirmation

 

San_Damiano_cross

St. Joseph Parish

Confirmation 2012-2013

Confirmation - 2012-13

October 2012

 Welcome to a busy year of Confirmation Preparation!

 With the hectic schedules that families have today, we’ve organized these guidelines to give you most everything you’ll need to know and have regarding your son/daughter’s preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. You’ll find explanations of:

  • The overall calendar of key Confirmation events.
  • An outline of how to choose a sponsor.
  • An outline regarding the content of required papers.
  • Christian service.

 Please look this information over and keep it handy for future reference. Pay particular attention to the Schedule of Events. You will be sent e-mail reminders before each event, so please make sure we have your current e-mail address.

 If, during the course of the year, you have any questions or concerns, please call Laura Rector. The processes and activities that we require for Confirmation preparation are meant to be helpful in learning about, and growing in our Catholic faith. It is not meant to cause stress or unhappiness, so, if your child is experiencing difficulty, please call.

 On behalf of St. Jospeh parish, we want to thank you for encouraging your son or daughter to take this next step in their journey of faith. For them, it will no doubt be a time of questioning and discovery. And for you, this is the perfect time to pause, and think about this being a great opportunity to deepen your own faith, and to live as a model for your child(ren).

 Yours in Christ,

Director of Religious Formation                

 Laura Rector                                               

 

Confirmation
Confirmation is the STRENGTHENING sacrament, which deepens our baptismal grace.
 
Baptism – Our entrance into the community, usually as an infant. Our parents speak for us. They promise to raise and educate us in our Catholic faith.
 
Eucharist – Initiated into the Christian mystery by baptism, Christians are joined to the Body of Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the center and heart of Christian life for each Christian. All that belongs to Christian life leads to the Eucharistic celebration or flows from it.
 
Confirmation – Comprises the post- baptismal rites of anointing, the laying on of hands and the words” BE SEALED WITH THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT;” It is the ratification of Baptism. For those who were baptized as infants, Confirmation provides an opportunity to ratify FREELY and DELIBERATELY what was done at Baptism. It helps to focus their minds and the minds of the entire community on the essentially Missionary dimension of the baptismal commitment.  Confirmation concludes the initiation process begun at Baptism which is where the name of the sacrament came from.
Initiation not graduation – Confirmation is meant to be a “new” beginning for our involvement in a life of faith and community.  Unfortunately, all too often it becomes a rite of exit. So, parents who make “deals” with their children that once they are confirmed they don’t have to participate in church or religious formation are doing their child(ren) a great disservice.  We understand that at this stage of adolescence there are a series of disagreements, questions – even battles – over values; but if we do not continue to emphasize the importance of a faith life and faith community once they are confirmed, then our children will be hard pressed to want to make it a priority on their own.
 
Community – It is important to belong, and it is necessary for young people to realize their Confirmation gives them a special status and role in the parish community and the whole Church. It is necessary, also, to help the parish community recognize their part in Confirmation preparation. The parish community of committed adult’s helps young people better understand Christian community and the beliefs passed on to succeeding generations through the community. Presentation of the candidates during Sunday liturgies, (Rite of Acceptance and Rite of Election), prayer for these young people during their preparation, and Sunday homilies about community involvement will strengthen the bonds between candidates and parish.
 
Prayer and Worship – Helping young people to pray and build a deep and lasting relationship with God is a primary goal of catechesis. The Confirmation preparation process provides opportunities to develop prayer life, both personally and communally. There should be a good balance between personal prayer and liturgical prayer, and the opportunity for celebration of Eucharist and Reconciliation.  Parents and or sponsor will need to hear the prayers of the candidates then sign the “Prayers to Memorize” sheet included in this packet.
 
St Joseph Formation Process and Responsibilities: ALL OF THESE ARE NOT OPTIONAL!
  • Classroom instruction following the Religious Formation Calendar.
  • A confirmation small group service project plus 2+ or more times helping in some way here at St. Joseph’s is a great way to help the youth understand that we all need to work together to keep our parish life and community vital.
  • Service Lifestyle Paper.
  • Attend a “Call to Serve” workshop scheduled for August/September 2013.
  • Retreat.
  • Make up work or make up sessions, after 3 missed classes.
  • Baptism verification and Registration Form for Confirmation Preparation. 
  • Specified prayers memorized with parents.
  • Sponsor information sheet and interview questions.
  • Spiritual reflection paper – “Why I want to be Confirmed” or ‘Why I Don’t Want to be Confirmed”
     
Expectations:
  • No more than 3 absences without explanation. Proper formation requires instruction and community. Attendance is very important.
  •  MAKE UP SESSION IS REQUIRED IF ANY OF THE TABLE SESSIONS ARE MISSED.
  • Attendance for the full length of class.
  • Appropriate behavior not only during class, but also while doing service activities and while on retreat.
  • A sponsor or a parent who will take an active role with the candidate during this time of preparation.
 
Appropriate Behavior:
  • The catechists have read and understand the code of conduct, and have talked with the candidates regarding it. If the candidate is unable to meet this code of conduct, their parents will be phoned and they will be asked to come pick up their child. If the behavior continues, a conference will be scheduled to determine the candidate’s continuation in the Confirmation preparation program.
  • Show respect to all adults.
  • Show respect to your peers.
  • Listen when others speak.
  • Be responsible.
Baptism Verification – If the Candidate was not baptized at St. Joseph, or did not make their First Eucharist here, the parent will need to 1) contact the parish in which they were baptized, and request a certificate. 2) Drop off a copy to the religious formation office before December 18, 2011. There is a place to note where they were baptized on the registration form.
 
Retreat - The Confirmation retreat is an integral part of the final discernment process for Confirmation. This retreat includes interaction with adult Christians who may be catechists, parents and others from the parish and retreat center. The focus of the retreat is on understanding Confirmation and the work of the Holy Spirit in the daily lives of the candidates. A letter will be sent to you in July containing specific information regarding retreat and hopefully dates for Confirmation and rehearsal
 
Confirmation Name – Your name gives you identity. It tells others who you are. When you were born, your parents chose your name. At your Baptism, you were called by name, christened to be a child of God. Your first name is your “Christian Name,” and indicates your membership in the Christian community.
 
NAME – The hope would be that you choose to renew your baptismal calling in Confirmation by using your baptismal name. The Catholic Church tells us that “Confirmation is a moment when the baptized have the possibility of giving assent publicly to baptismal promises and of stating a personal acceptance of the faith into which one was baptized.”
 
The candidates are encouraged to retain their baptismal name for Confirmation to show continuity between Baptism and Confirmation. A new name may be chosen, the name need not be a saint’s name, but it should be one acceptable in Christian society and not be alien or offensive to Christian sensibilities. If a different name is chosen, it should be a reflection of a closer identification that you have developed with another member of the Christian community. Most frequently it will be the name of a saint. When choosing a saint’s name it is important that the candidate know about the life of the saint whose name they choose and the qualities evident in this holy person.
 
If you have decided to use a different name, take the time to research the saint and discover some factual information about them.
 
Some reflection questions to ask when choosing a name:
 
If you have chosen to keep your baptismal name, why did your parents choose it for you initially?
 
Why is the name important to you (either old or new)?
 
What qualities of the saint’s life do you find most admirable?
 
By imitating these qualities, how can you become a better Christian?
 
Participation at Liturgical Functions
 
Weekly Liturgy Attendance – To become initiated into the Catholic Church is to participate fully in the liturgy as outlined in the precepts of the Church. Regular attendance on Sundays, demonstrates a sincere desire to practice the Catholic faith. Parents must model this as well, if we expect the students to do this.
 
Rite of Acceptance – During the noon Liturgy on December 5th, we will recognize the candidates desire to begin the journey toward Confirmation, pray for their deeper conversion to the Gospel; and call the rest of the parish to be models of faith and to pray for them. Parents will present their youth to the presiding priest and the assembly. The parent/candidate meeting will follow this.
 
Rite of Enrollment – During a liturgy in September or October we will have the Rite of Enrollment. This celebration marks the beginning of the period of final preparation and asks the candidates, parents, sponsors to reaffirm their state of readiness for the Sacrament. The community will recognize the candidates and be asked to engage in prayer for them during this time.
 
Confirmation Liturgy – We will request a date in October or November 2012. . We will not have a firm date yet, as the bishop’s do not have their fall schedules done until June. Families will be notified of the date as soon as we hear from the bishop’s office.
 
 
Classroom work – This is the cognitive portion of our preparation. Attendance in class and completion of all required assignments is necessary.  Make up work or make up classes may be required for missed sessions.
 
Written Work Due:
 
“Why I want to be Confirmed, or not.” Students will be asked to write a refection paper, regarding their Confirmation readiness. Because it is meant to be a heartfelt expression into their thoughts and feelings about the Sacrament, there is no outline, or size requirement.
This paper will be due shortly after retreat. (Early– Mid September)
 
Service Lifestyle Paper - This paper should demonstrate the candidates understanding of why Christians should be involved in service for others. Candidates will write:
  1. On ways they live the lifestyle already.
  2. What ways they would be willing to live this out in the future.
  3. How they see their parents/sponsor carrying out this lifestyle.
  4. Who they know personally as someone who really lives out such a lifestyle, what it is they do, and what they would need to do to be more like them.
  5. Information about their 2 or more experiences with helping out at St. Joseph’s, any additional service  and their intended group service project.
  6. Finally, attention given to scripture passages, both Old and New Testament or teachings in class as to why such a lifestyle is necessary to be a “true” Christian.
  7. This paper is due by the last class.
 
See attached “Service Lifestyle Paper Outline”. and “Examples of Service in the Bible” sheet.
 
Mystagogy – Whenever someone is fully initiated into the Catholic Church, they follow up with a period called “mystagogy”. This time is for the neophytes to think about their faith life after initiation. Traditionally this takes place after the Sacrament. However, we know it will be hard to call the newly confirmed back for additional formation after Confirmation, and we believe the information about what it means to live ones faith (other than going to mass) is something to be talked about and discussed. So the week before Confirmation, we will be offering a pre-mystagogy.  Dates to be determined based on Confirmation date.
 
And finally… Christian Service – Opportunities for candidates to use their talents and gifts in the service of others, challenges young people to model their life after Jesus’, Also, it is important for the youth to understand that they are a part of this community before and after Confirmation, and their service to this community is vitally important. Therefore, we are asking that they support our parish family by helping two or more times in some capacity. Also, every Confirmation Small Faith Sharing Group will decide together one project they will do as a group. We need parents to help organize the service projects please!
Candidates will be / should be, encouraged to stretch themselves in developing new gifts, or in doing things that will take more courage and make a significant impact in others lives. In other words, they will be encouraged to do something that involves effort.
Service Opportunities will be available to view and sign up for in a binder called “Service Opportunities”, found in the Youth Ministry office. Feel free to stop in any time to check these out!
 
Thank you!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mass Schedules

Weekend Mass
Saturday at 5:00 PM
Sunday at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 Noon

Weekday Mass
Tuesday at 7:00 PM
Wednesday & Friday at 9:00 AM

Holy Day Mass as Published

Sacraments And Pastoral Concerns

Sacrament of Baptism
The sacrament of baptism is ordinarily celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of the month following the 12:00 Noon Mass. Please call the Parish Office at 248-446-8700, at least two months in advance in order to make arrangements. There is a required Baptismal prep class which is normally offered on the second Monday of each month. Please call the Parish
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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
(RCIA) is the process whereby new members are initiated into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and eucharist, and baptized Catholics may complete their initiation. For information, call Cathy Borsh, Pastoral Associate, Ext. 109.
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Sacrament of Marriage
Please call the Parish Office at least 6 months before the proposed marriage dates in order to arrange for the necessary preparation. An appointment is necessary before a wedding date may be scheduled.
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Order of Christian Funerals
At the time of death, contact the funeral home of your choice. The funeral home will then contact Saint Joseph Parish.
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Registration in the Parish:
You may come to the parish office or call 248-446-8700, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM.
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hearing

Interpeter for Hearing Impaired at 5:00 PM Mass on the third Saturday of each Month.