Queen of Apostles Catholic Parish

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Confirmation Prep – Word Made Flesh

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Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Summary (page 2 has “Who Is Jesus?” breakout detail)

  • Track A: Monday 10/6/2026, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
  • Track B: week of October 6 in 8th Grade Religion class, over 2 class periods
    • St. Matthias School 8A (Brisson): Monday 10/5 and Tuesday 10/6
    • St. Matthias School 8B (Howell): Monday 10/5 and Thursday 10/8
    • Queen of Angels School (Rosales): Wednesday 10/7 and Thursday 10/8

Warm-up Activity (10 min.)

Look at the new Bibles and make sure everyone has received one (especially those who missed Rite of Enrollment over the weekend or could only watch the streamed version due to travel or illness).  Please do not double-issue a Bible to anyone who just forgot theirs at home.

Please add the label stickers (Avery 5160 size) with each student’s name to the front of each Bible if they have brought their new Bible in class.  (The yellow sticky note marking Bibles for those not present at the Rite is not intended to be a permanent label and will fall off!)

Volunteer students may share their observations and feelings about Rite of Enrollment.  Where might they have felt Jesus’ presence in the Mass?  This is instead of sharing homework responses to journal questions, especially from page 24.

Opening Prayer: Reading, Reflecting, Responding to the Word of God! (10 min)

Reading of Luke 5:1-11 (Catholic Youth Bible p. 1347-1348)

Dramatization of this passage from The Chosen series to deepen our understanding and let us reflect on the feelings of those involved

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3afsG_QAmKk

Track A: Option for mini-witness on how this passage spoke to Ms. Hohner in 2019 and deepened her trust in Jesus during a challenging time and all the challenges afterward. 

Track B: Class discussion on the video.  Catechists might draw attention to the return of hope in the face of discouragement, the results of trust in Jesus, and our mission to help spread the message of Jesus.  

Intro to Scripture & Lector Ministry (10 min)

Option for short witness on impactful Scripture and/or being a lector (Ms. Hohner or Mr. Howell/Mr. Brisson/Mr. Rosales)

Sacred Scripture is the inspired Word of God, written down by many faithful people and edited together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The Bible is divided into the Old Testament (before Jesus) and New Testament (Jesus and the early Church).  The Bible is like a library, made up of 73 books (46 OT, 27 NT).  Maybe you’ve heard previously from Ms. Hohner how the Bible is like an Oreo cookie.

Finding passages is easy once you know how to read a citation with the name of the book, the number of the chapter, and the number(s) of the verse(s). We will practice this skill a lot in the weeks to come using our new Bibles!

Scripture is always present when we pray as a Church — in the words of common prayers (like Our Father & Hail Mary) or the source of the text in songs and psalms, or the Scriptures proclaimed aloud at Mass.

Option to use 2 videos that go with our Bible:

Breakout Session on Jesus (35-45 min – Track B split over 2 days)

Trivia Game: What do we know about Jesus?

MATERIALS: toss-and-tell beach ball with trivia questions * answer key in an envelope

Alternate materials: 2 envelopes of Question & Answer cards for “Go Jesus Fish” matching card game

  • Within your group, toss around the beach balls with questions to test our knowledge of Jesus.  The person catching the ball reads the question that their right thumb (or another finger the group chooses) lands on.  The ball goes to the person with the best answer, or perhaps the person who has not had a turn.  Each group has an answer key in an envelope for the catechist/facilitator.
  • This activity could replace the “Go Jesus Fish!” matching card trivia game.  Card sets with questions and answers will be available, and the online version on Sporcle.com still works for students doing home-study or make-ups on their own (you do not need to sign up for a Sporcle account).

2nd half of session begins for Track B

Break for Track A only (5 min)

Scripture Exploration: Who Is Jesus? (20-30 min)

Each table/group receives a set of 3 passages relating to Jesus’  life and ministry.  Reflection questions accompany the passages. Each table selects a scribe to take notes about their answers on the question sheets.  At the end of the breakout session, each table/group reports on their conclusions in answer to the question “Who Is Jesus?” based on what is revealed about him in the three passages.

MATERIALS:  question sheets specific to each group

Report Back on Final Question Response (5-10 min)

Call to Discipleship and Prayer Ritual (15 min)

Definition of Discipleship

God calls us together as a group, to be his children. Jesus calls each of us to follow him.

To be a disciple means to hear and study the ways of the master, within a community of disciples, and to live out those ways for the good of the world.  We do this by learning, participating and serving in the life of Christ’s holy Church, which we enter at Baptism.

God first called us to faith through Baptism. God continues to work in our lives through other people; in the stories we hear and the way we hear them; when we take time during prayer to listen for God’s voice speaking from the silence of our hearts.

But we also hear God’s call through the Scriptures and in the decisions we make every day.  Look at the sticker placed on the inside front cover of your Bible.  Asking these questions when you read Scripture on your own will help you to figure out how God is calling you and what God is choosing you to do as part of your mission as a disciple.

Our actions are signs that we choose him back.  Jesus once told this story (proclaimed at Sunday Mass a few weeks ago):

Reading: Parable of the Two Sons, Matthew 21:28-32 (Bible p. 1277-1278)

“Open My Eyes, Lord” (Jesse Manibusan)

During the song, candidates look into the eyes of a partner but bless their own senses (eyes to see, ears to hear, heart to love).

Discipleship Prayer (from prayer card to keep, and also in slides):

Be with me, Lord Jesus.  Guide me on my journey and nourish me as I continue to walk in your Light. ​

      Open my eyes, that I may see your presence.​
      Open my ears, that I may hear your Word.​
      Open my heart, that I may reflect your love.​

Empower me and my whole parish to echo the Truth that is found in you alone.  ​
  I ask this through the power of the Blessed Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Look at the image on the front of the prayer card.  Jesus is walking with us toward Confirmation!  Jesus is revealed to us when we read or listen to the Scriptures, when we talk to Jesus in prayer, and when we serve Jesus by sharing his love with others.  If we stay with Jesus on this path and give him our attention, we will be transformed as disciples as we become fully initiated (Confirmed) Catholic Christians.

Turn in Discipleship Commitment forms at prayer space during the song Aquí Estoy (Here I Am) by Fr. Rob Galea and Ivan Diaz

Source: https://youtu.be/3HKIgiNrVDo?t=9s 

Our Sponsors will walk alongside us on the path of discipleship.  They are meant to accompany us and mentor us as we grow. Choosing a Sponsor is an important task for the coming weeks; you will need to invite your Sponsor (and your parents) to come to Monday evenin class with you on Monday, November 9 at St. Matthias Church!  Our Sponsors help us to know that Jesus is with us always through the people who nurture our faith,

Closing & Dismissal

HOMEWORK & REMINDERS

  • NO CLASS next week (holiday for all schools on Monday, October 12)
  • read/do pages 13-18 in your textbook Textbook/journal homework suspended until books arrive and are distributed to St. Matthias School students.
  • Work on figuring our who your Sponsor(s) will be.  Review the requirements (Catholic, Confirmed, at least 16 years old, not your own parent) and talk it over with your parents.  You can choose to have one Sponsor or two Sponsors (often a married couple) and may have some family or cultural traditions around this.
  • Bring your Bibles and other materials to our next class session, which is for both Tracks A & B on Monday, October 19, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Mission Hall at the Parish Center, 4412 N. Western.  We will be doing a special activity that involves the whole group!
  • Retreat I coming up in less than a month! Tuesday, November 3, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Service opportunities: Children’s Resale Shop, donation drop-off (weeknight sorting) or sales hours (morning, Saturday 10/17)
  • Enjoy a small candy treat in honor of Ms. Hohner’s birthday (Tuesday 10/6).

BONUS VIDEO: “Jesus And I Know It” (song parody with a purpose)

[Concordance: What each scene in the video means and why the video was made this way]

Note for later on:

  • Service Hours can be done now and documents can be turned in at any Confirmation Prep class; final deadline in early May
  • Let Ms. Hohner know about conflicts with your attendance at our NET retreat which will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 at Queen of Angels Church & Holy Family Hall.  See your track’s schedule for details.
  • Plan for you, your Sponsor(s) and Parent(s) to all attend class at St. Matthias Church on Monday, November 9, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Confirmation Name essay due in mid-November, details & help coming in late October during the Saintapalooza lesson
  • Letter to the Pastor due in mid-January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson

Register for Religious Education

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CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Registration is still open through October 1, 2026 for Religious Education (CCD) during the 2026-2027 school year which began classes in September, 2026.  The program is designed for children not attending a Catholic elementary school.  Students should attend Religious Education from Kindergarten to 8th Grade in order to:

  • grow in friendship with Jesus and in Christian moral values,
  • learn about Mass, Church teachings and Catholic traditions, and
  • prepare for sacraments of First Reconciliation (Confession), First Holy Communion (Eucharist) and Confirmation.

The hope and the expectation is that students will return each year during elementary school, not only for sacrament preparation years. Once a student is in class, it is assumed your family will be back next year unless you inform the Religious Education Office otherwise!  The fee structure has been revised in recent years to make it easier for ALL school-aged children in a family to participate in Religious Education from Kindergarten through 8th Grade.  

Registration Fees Family Tuition Sacrament Fees
per household, NEW families only per household per student, only in the applicable year
$25 EARLY before August 15
$50 LATE after August 15
(households with RE students who attended our classes in 2025-2026 do not pay this)		 $150

NO extra charges for additional siblings!

 $50 First Communion Fee (also covers First Reconciliation)
  – preparation for First Communion is normally a 2-year process
– new students should not expect to pay this fee in their first year
$25 Retreat Fee (1st Year Confirmation/7th Gr.; retreat in early 2027)
$125 Confirmation Fee (2nd Year Confirmation/8th Gr. or above, also covers 2 retreats)
payable on GiveCentral as Religious Education Payment (Tuition, Registration, etc.), or by cash or check payable on GiveCentral as Religious Education Payment (Tuition, Registration, etc.), or by cash or check payable on GiveCentral as Sacramental Fees (Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, etc.), or by cash or check

Classes are conducted in English, though communication with families is in English and Spanish. Online forms are available in English and Spanish.

  • all grades, Kindergarten through 1st Year Confirmation (usually 7th Grade): Sunday morning classes will begin on Sunday, September 13 and will be held in person on Sunday mornings from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. through May 2, 2027  
    • Sunday morning classes are held in Queen of Angels School, 4520 N. Western Ave.
    • Calendar of Sunday Classes with Parent Meeting, Family-oriented Masses, seasonal Reconciliation and Parish Events
      • A mandatory paremt meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Students are not required to attend, the meeting is intended only for their parents/guardians.
      • A retreat for only students in 1st Year Confirmation (usually 7th Grade) will be on Tuesday, February 23, 2027 (a day of non-attendance for CPS students).
      • A virtual class on Zoom for all families will be on Sunday, January 31, 2027.
      • Sundays without class are expected on October 11, November 29, December 27, January 3, and March 21 & 28.
    • Families are invited to attend Sunday Mass before class at 9 a.m. in English or after class at 12:30 p.m. in Spanish both in nearby Queen of Angels Church.  Mass is also offered earlier at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Queen of Angels Church or at 8 a.m. Sunday in St. Matthias Church, both in English.   Mass is an important part of living our faith and growing as a community of disciples.
  • older students who qualify, 2nd Year Confirmation (usually 8th Grade): Monday evening classes began on Monday, September 21, 2026. Classes will be on Monday evenings from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from late September until the date of Confirmation, on Saturday, April 10, 2027.
    • For Religious Education students, previous completion of Sunday Level 7 or Level 7+ classes is required as the 1st Year of Confirmation Prep unless transferring from 1st Year Confirmation classes in another parish.   The Archdiocese of Chicago requires a two-year preparation process for adolescents receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. 
    • Monday evening classes are usually held in Mission Hall at the Parish Center, 4412 N. Western Ave.
    • Calendars of Monday Classes and related events
      for our “Track A” Religious Education students
      for our “Track B” 8th Grade Students in Queen of Angels School & St. Matthias School

      • The first retreat for students in 2nd Year Confirmation (usually 8th Grade) will be will be with young adult missionaries from NET Ministries on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (Election Day, a day of non-attendance for our CPS students when our Catholic schools are still in session).
      • The second retreat with Reconciliation for 2nd Year Confirmation and their parents/sponsors will be on Friday, February 5, 2027.
      • Parents attend Monday classes with the students on Monday, September 21 and Monday, November 9.
      • Sponsors attend Monday classes with the students on Monday, November 9 and come to their rehearsal on Wednesday, April 7.
    • Families are invited to attend Sunday Mass regularly at any of our weekend Masses in English and Spanish at out parish’s churches. Mass is an important part of living our faith and growing as a community of disciples
  • NEW for High School students seeking sacraments (Baptism, First Communion and/or Confirmation): Wednesday evening classes began on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Classes will be on most Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. from mid-September through early May.
    • Calendar of Wednesday Classes
    • The first retreat for youth will be with young adult missionaries from NET Ministries on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (Election Day, a day of non-attendance for our CPS students)
    • The second retreat for youth with their Sponsor(s) will be the morning of Saturday, March 27.
    • Youth are invited to attend Sunday Mass regularly with their families at any of our weekend Masses in English and Spanish at out parish’s churches. Mass is an important part of living our faith and growing as a community of disciples.

LINKS TO REGISTER including a short Parish Connection survey
OPEN through Thursday, October 1, 2026

  • Register NEW students for classes intended for those in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Continuing students do not need to register again with that form, or pay the registration fee.
  • Update information only for CONTINUING students (who attended Religious Education at Queen of Apostles in 2025-2026).  

Please email rhohner@qofachicago.org or call 312-857-6782 for more information.

  • New students who are older than Eighth Grade but younger than Twelfth Grade (or 18 years) may also be accepted into the Religious Education program, but please call for Level placement and further details.
    • A new cohort/class of H.S. youth seeking classes and sacraments is being formed; class meeting times and dates TBD. 
    • Beginning students who are already 17 or close to it may be referred to our OCIA program for those over 18. 
  • Sacramental preparation for adults over the age of 18 is through our OCIA Program, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.  Please contact the parish office, cserrano@qofachicago.org or 773-539-7510.  OCIA began September 14, 2026, and meets Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Parish Center, 4412 N. Western. 
  • Families who prefer remote or at-home learning (for all or part of the year) due to special circumstances in the family should contact Ms. Rachel Hohner, Coordinator of Religious Education, at 312-857-6782, to discuss.   

Confirmation Prep – In His Presence

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Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Summary * Track A Table Listing (link yet to come)

  • Track A (Religious Education): Monday 9/28/2026, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
  • Track B (Catholic Schools): during the week of September 28 in Religion class, over 2 class periods
    • St. Matthias School 8A (Brisson): Monday 9/28 and Tuesday 9/29
    • St. Matthias School 8B (Howell): Monday 9/28 and Thursday 10/1
    • Queen of Angels School (Rosales): Wednesday 9/30 and Thursday 10/1

Warm-up activity (5 min.)

Track A suggested activity: As they find their assigned tables and sit down, students and catechists meet one another in their small groups and begin to build community.

  • Share your name, grade in school, and one thing that most people don’t know about you.  Prompts can be pulled from the cup matching your table’s color.  (sets of prompts to cut apart). 
  • Should also share SMART goals from card assigned at the initial evening class,  We will delay talking about the “My Journey Begins” journal questions, especially from pages vii and viii (Roman numerals 7 and 8), until after the books and journals come for students at St. Matthias School.

Track B suggested activity: Share SMART goals from card assigned at the initial evening class.  (This is second chance to write them if you did not have a chance or missed that this was assigned!)

We will delay talking about the “My Journey Begins” journal questions, especially from pages vii and viii (Roman numerals 7 and 8), until after the books and journals come for students at St. Matthias School. And the icebreaker for Track A above would likely be a dull exercise for the Catholic schools students who must know their classmates pretty well already.

Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Act of Faith – found in the Confirmed in the Spirit textbook on p. 108 or in the PowerPoint slide deck

Belief, Faith and Trust (15 min)

Ms. Hohner will also go over a couple of ground rules and some logistics for Track A.  

Beliefs are based in evidence, in things that are convincing to us, either by logic or by observation. By learning more about the teachings of the Catholic Church, we come to question them, accept them and believe them.

Trust is a decision made based on belief.  If I believe that someone is my friend, I may decide to trust her.  But I can also choose not to trust. I may believe that elastic and latex are strong materials, but not trust them enough to bungee-jump off a bridge. There are people who believe in God but do not choose to trust either God’s wisdom or God’s goodness. There is a mutual element to trust that is not present in belief: good, healthy relationships require both individuals to trust each other.

However, we can understand faith as a gift from God. Through the grace we receive in the sacrament of Baptism, our parents pass along the gift of their faith to us.  Faith is based on a change of attitude, a change of heart, not on observable facts. While your beliefs may or may not influence your actions, true faith in your soul changes the actions you take and the way you are. It is a different outlook on the world. Our faith is what leads us to trust in God.

Video Conversation-Starter: “Jesus and Laura”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhnRvb-M-P4

Breakout Session: Trust in God (5 min)

Briefly discuss the video in small groups (or as a class, if desired):

    • How do you define “faith”? What does it take in order to have faith?
    • What, besides fear, might get in the way of faith?  How can someone overcome fear or those other obstacles in order to have greater faith?

Eucharistic Adoration (10 min)

One thing that is both a gift of our Catholic tradition and a challenge to our faith, belief, and trust is Eucharistic Adoration.  This is a prayerful experience of contemplating the Divine Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, our spiritual food and the “Body of Christ“​.  But on the surface it can seem a very strange thing to do, because it requires belief, trust, and faith to even understand what it really is. 

​We don’t see Jesus’ face!  We see what looks like bread and ​we know tastes like bread but we believe ​IS the Body of Jesus Christ! ​(As we affirm every time we receive Holy Communion: the minister says “The Body of Christ” and we say “Amen” which is an enthusiastic statement of belief: “Truly!”.)

We trust in the words of Jesus:​

“I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” – John 6:35​

Promotional Video with testimonials by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
(what we can get out of Eucharistic Adoration when we pray in this way)

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txuaN5FXgW8)

(2nd half of session begins for Track B)

Break (Track A only)

Stretch, drink water, use the restroom, check your phone briefly before putting it away again.

Transitional Prayer Activity: Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus (5-10 min)

Going deeper on the video with “Jesus and Laura.”  Students will each choose an image of Jesus’ face (from printed image options provided, or can be done anytime using a smart phone after searching for a good picture of Jesus):

Then let’s look at Jesus’ face we have chosen, and pray along with the song “Turn Your Eyes” by Lauren Daigle.

Source: https://youtu.be/EQTtkr2zVxg?t=46

Breakout Session: Reading the Church (25 min)

  • Jesus speaks to us in the Eucharist​
  • Jesus also speaks to us through the works of art and the symbols we see at church​
  • Something to look at when your mind “drifts” during Mass

“Fix your eyes” on something in the church to help you pray​. Look at one of the church photos given to your group. Photos are from Queen of Angels Church and/or St. Matthias Church.  

What do the things you are looking at say to you about Jesus? Put your ideas together and see how that compares to the Hint Page in the envelope.

MATERIALS: general questions set * 3 photos for each group * hint sheet in envelope (all 10 hint sheets v.2024)

BLUE
Mrs. Jamie Mocarski
Hint page
GREEN
(Track B only)
Hint page
ORANGE
Mr. Jack Recinto
Hint page
PINK
(Track B only)
Hint page
PURPLE
Mrs. Melissa Richlen
Hint page
RED
Ms. Isabel López
Hint page
YELLOW
(Track B only)
Hint page
BLACK
(Track B only)
Hint page
BROWN
(Track B only)
Hint page
WHITE
(Track B only)
Hint page

Rite of Enrollment Practice (5-10 min)

Please come for Rite of Enrollment at any of the weekend parish Masses on Saturday-Sunday, October 3rd-4th, 2026 in person at one of our parish’s two churches.  You and your parents will get a blessing, and you will receive your Bible to use for Confirmation Prep classes. Please dress appropriately for church and fairly nicely, as you will be called to come up to the altar.

  • 5 p.m. Saturday Mass in English (arrive by 4:45 p.m. Saturday to check in) at Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside
  • 8 a.m. Sunday Mass in English (arrive by 8:45 a.m. Sunday to check in) at St. Matthias Church, 2310 W. Ainslie
  • 9 a.m. Sunday Mass in English (arrive by 8:45 a.m. Sunday to check in) at Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside
  • ​11 a.m. Sunday Mass in English (arrive by 10:45 a.m. Sunday to check in) at Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside
  • ​Misa dominical de las 12:30 p.m. en español (llegue antes de las 12:15 p.m. el domingo para registrarse su asistencia) en la Iglesia Reina de los Ángeles, 2330 W. Sunnyside

Priest:         I ask you to please gather in front of the altar.    ​

< Candidates gather at the altar >​

Priest:         Do you ask to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation? ​

Candidates: Yes, I do. / ¡Si, lo pido!

Priest:         Do you promise to be active in the Church community, to be faithful in celebrating the sacraments, to serve God’s people and to seek to grow as a disciple of Jesus? ​

Candidates: Yes, I do. / ¡Si, lo prometo!​

Priest:          In the presence of God and this community of faith, do you promise to enter into serious ​preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation? ​

Candidates: Yes, I do.  / ¡Si, lo prometo!​

​Blessing of Candidates, Bibles & Tree and ​Blessing of Parents ​

< after each prayer, all respond together: > ​

Candidates: Amen. / Amén.​

 < candidates are applauded & may receive Bibles ​immediately if present in church >

Prayer Ritual (10 min)

“The Divine Praises” – Matt Maher and Audrey Assad, World Youth Day 2016

Homework for Candidates:

  • read/do pages 22, 23, 24 and 25 in your journal journaling homework postponed!
  • due at next class: sign and have parent(s) sign the Discipleship Commitment (beige paper, 2nd page of pc)
  • all Confirmation candidates (students preparing to be Confirmed this year) come to Rite of Enrollment
    • at any weekend parish Mass Saturday 10/3 or Sunday 10/4 at one of our two churches (8 a.m. on Sunday is the only weekend Mass at St. Matthias Church)
    • dress appropriately
    • arrive 15 minutes before Mass, check in & get handout
    • sit with your family toward the front of the church
    • you will receive Bibles and a blessing up in sanctuary after the Homily – Bible is to be used in class! 
  • bring new Bibles, Discipleship Commitment and all other materials (book, journal, folder) to next classes:
    • Track A (Religious Education / Catecismo): Monday 10/5
    • Track B (Catholic Schools / SMS & Queen of Angels School): during the week of 10/5 in 8th Grade Religion class:
      • SMS 8A (Mr. Brisson): Monday 10/5 & Tuesday 10/6 in 8th Grade Religion
      • SMS 8B (Mr. Howell): Monday 10/5 & Thursday 10/8 in 8th Grade Religion
      • Queen of Angels 8A & 8B (Mr. Rosales) : Wednesday 10/7 & Thursday 10/8 in 8th Grade Religion

Confirmation Prep – Journey

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Session Overview for Catechists, Monday 9/21/2026
Slides (NOT ACTUALLY USED) * Catechist Summary (NOT ACTUALLY FOLLOWED)

“A Journey of Trust” initial class with parents

This class was drastically shortened and presented without tech due to delays in setting up and starting.  The church had been double-booked with a family novena for a deceased loved one, and the prayers also ran way past the scheduled time.  

Welcome and Opening Prayer (5 min.)

“Singing is praying twice!” — attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo
The hymn “O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God / Espíritu Consolador” serves as our opening prayer. This is an invitation to the Holy Spirit. How would we speak if we were trying to invite someone? How might we sing when we invite the Holy Spirit? We reflect on the words and speak the words in rhythm of the first and second verses in both languages as we begin to learn this song to sing at the Confirmation Masses in April!


Song Sheet: Full Page Letter Size | Handout Size on Legal Paper) – each nunbered verse is read across the 3 rows


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lOV2pMOMcg

Program Overview (30 min)

What is Confirmation?
What Happens at Confirmation?
NOT SHOWN THIS YEAR: “What Happens at Confirmation” video from Chosen Confirmation Prep series

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrCUkEmCfi8

Confirmation is one of the seven Sacraments, and it offers an opportunity for growing in discipleship to Jesus, in faith and in grace through a strengthening of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Understanding, Piety, and Fear of the Lord).  You already possess these gifts, given to you through the Holy Spirit at your Baptism.

Confirmation means completing your initiation into the Catholic faith (begun at your Baptism and continued with your First Holy Communion).  Confirmation does not make you an “adult” in the Church in the same way that turning 18 makes you an “adult” legally in the U.S..  However, seeking Confirmation as a teen can and should be a sign of your maturing faith.  Completing your initiation also allows you to take on more of an “adult” role in that faith community, now giving back more to the faith community which has helped to bring you up.  After Confirmation you are able to be trained and serve as a liturgical minister (regular Lector, Eucharistic Minister, etc.), junior catechist, and/or join the parish youth ministry.  Confirmation is not graduation from the Catholic Church, but it is a change in your status as a full member of that Church.

We have a handout packet of information about program components which will help our candidates to be prepared to receive the sacrament: a calendar of classes and other events; making a commitment to grow in discipleship; how to choose a Sponsor to be a spiritual companion during this time; going deeper on a retreat; how to choose a Confirmation Name as part of a sign of your transformation in this sacrament; formally requesting the sacrament through a letter to our Pastor who will present you to the Bishop on Confirmation day; and becoming Jesus’ presence in the world through Christian service.  There are different packets and due dates for students from the Religious Education program and for students from our Catholic schools. 

Track A:
Students in Religious Education (CCD) at Queen of Apostles Parish
who attend CPS, suburban, or non-Catholic private schools during the week
 
Track B:
Students in 8th Grade at Queen of Angels School or St. Matthias School
Calendar of Classes & other events
Track A
(pink)		 Track B
(bright yellow)
   
Discipleship Commitment Form (beige)
for signature by student and parent
due the week of October 5
Track A Track B
   
Sponsor Form (blue)
for signature by parent
due the week of October 26
Track A Track B
 
Save-the-Date Flyer for the NET Retreat (white)
Retreat offered during the day on Tuesday, November 3
English and Spanish
   
Confirmation Name Reflection (gold)
assigned as homework in late October
due the week of November 16
Track A Track B
   
Letter to the Pastor (Father Jason) (green)
assigned as classwork in mid-December
if finishing at home: due the week of January 25
Track A Track B
   
Christian Service (white paper)
do & document at least 5 hours
due the week of March 1
Track A
 Track B
Printable Form for Tracking Service Hours

Ideas & Opportunities for Service

Icebreaker (10 min)

  • Blind Origami — large group exercise led by Ms. Hohner to recognize each other as unique individuals with different perspectives on the same questions. Each person has a sheet of paper and is asked to close their eyes and follow directions of what to do with that sheet of paper.  The end result teaches us something about ourselves and is an opportunity to talk about confidentiality. (template to print on scrap * sample directions)
    MATERIALS: scrap paper (“DRAFT” watermark on printed side, other side blank)

Video Conversation-Starter (5 min)

NOT SHOWN THIS YEAR: “Is Your Faith Still in Kindergarten?” video from BlueFishTV / RightNowMedia.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQCDAfH-N4E

ASSIGNED AS HOMEWORK THIS YEAR: Goal Setting for Confirmation Prep (25 min)

Candidates set goals for their spiritual development in the areas of prayer life, moral choices and service.  Table leaders guide the process and encourage setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, which are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.  The goals are collected into baskets to bring up during the closing prayer service. (SMART Goals bilingual handout both sides * Labels for goals cards bilingual)

Image Source

MATERIALS:

  • “SMART” goals instructions handout
  • blank card marked “Prayer / Moral Life / Service” for writing goal

NOT DONE THIS YEAR: Prayer Ritual (15 min)

Video Reflection – Commitment


https://youtu.be/VPxhwVkm6KE?t=6

Presentation of Goals

Candidates will bring their written goals up to the sanctuary during the song “I Will Follow” by Chris Tomlin.
MATERIALS: Basket for collecting goals cards

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing & Dismissal (15 min)

REMARKS BY PASTOR Father Jason Malave

HOMEWORK

  • journal “My Journey Begins,” pages vi – xii, by week of 9/28 CANCELED because SMS students do not yet have books & journals
  • beige Commitment Form by week of 10/5
  • blue Sponsor Form by week of 10/26
  • Bring your materials to next class session:
    • Track A (Religious Ed): Monday, September 28, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    • Track B (SMS & Q of A School): week of September 28, over 2 days during 8th Grade Religion Classes
      • St. Matthias School 8A Brisson: Monday & Tuesday, September 28 & 29
      • St. Matthias School 8B Howell:  Monday, September 28 & Thursday, October 1
      • Queen of Angels School 8A & 8B Rosales:  Wednesday, September 30 & Thursday, October 1

Reminders for Candidates:

  • Take a look at your textbook and journal if you received them new tonight (Queen of Angels School & Queen of Apostles Religious Education).  You will need to bring them to each Confirmation Prep class session, and they will be useful if  you are ever absent from class.
  • Work on “My Journey Begins” section of JOURNAL, pages vi – xii (Roman numerals 6-12).  All journaling is for your own eyes, to help you reflect and pray your way through Confirmation prep.  You don’t have to write in complete sentences or answer every question, but don’t skip the journaling! You may be asked to volunteer to share something from your journal, or you may surprise yourself with the depth you find through your journaling.
  • TWO forms are due next month! (see above for links to forms according to your Track):
    • Beige Commitment Form due in early October.
      Candidates (youth) sign the top section and parent/guardian(s) should sign the middle section.
      Once you bring it back to class, your table leader catechist(s) will sign the bottom section, as will Ms. Rachel Hohner as the Program Coordinator (and also Mr. Joe Rosales, Mr. Matthew Brissson or Mr. Paul Howell for Track B).

      • due for Track A on Monday, October 5
      • due for Track B on Tuesday, October 6 or Thursday, October 8
    • Your blue Sponsor form will be due at the end of October!  If you have a Sponsor already, make sure your Sponsor(s) know that Sponsor Night will be November 9. If you do not have a Sponsor yet, brainstorm with your family to figure out who could be your Sponsor, and ask that person!
      • due for Track A on Monday, October 26
      • due for Track B on Tuesday, October 27 or Thursday, October 29

BLESSING

Note for later on:

  • Service Hours can be done now, due finally in early March
  • Confirmation Name essay due in November; details & help coming in late October during the Saintapalooza lesson
  • Letter to the Pastor due in late January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson
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