Queen of Apostles Catholic Parish

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Confirmation Prep – Gifts

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Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Guide

  • Track A: Monday 12/9/2024, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
  • Track B St. Matthias School: Wednesday 12/11 and Thursday 12/12 in Religion class
  • Track B Queen of Angels School: Thursday 12/12 and Friday 12/13 in Religion class (postponed due to Advent confessions during class time on Wednesday 12/11)

Gathering Icebreaker (5 min.)

Icebreaker: The Best Gifts Ever
Discuss a thoughtful gift you have given, and a gift you have received that might not be worth much in dollars, but is worth a lot to you.  Then share something from the journaling homework.

Opening Prayer (5 min)

Opening Prayer
Responsory for Early Advent (in English or in Spanish)

The night ​passes on; ​it will be morning soon.​
 ​The hour has come, Lord: wake us from our sleep.​
Allow us to ​walk with children of light toward your ​coming dawn.​
 ​Come, ​Lord Jesus! ​Come soon!​
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph… ​pray for us!  Amen. 

La noche está pasando; pronto será ​de día. ​
​La hora ha llegado, Señor: despiértanos ​del sueño.​
Permitenos caminar como ​hijos de la luz ​hacia la llegada ​de la Aurora.​
¡Ven, ​Señor Jesús! ​¡Ven, ya no tardes!​
Sagrada Familia de Jesús, María y José… ​oran por nosotros. Amén. ​

Presentation on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (10 min)

Overview of the Gifts of the Spirit (printable leader’s notes)
The Gifts of the Spirit help to perfect our Virtues. Four Gifts help us to know God’s will: 

  • Wisdom helps us to see as God sees, to recognize the value of others and the importance of keeping God central in our lives.
  • Understanding is the ability to comprehend the meaning of God’s message, to read the Scriptures not just as literature but as the story of God’s continual outreach to his people over time and as evidence of God’s love and mercy.
  • Knowledge is the ability to think about and explore God’s revelation through the person of Jesus, and also to recognize there are mysteries of faith and miracles beyond our human reason.
  • Counsel (Right Judgment) is the ability to see the best way to follow God’s plan when we have moral choices to make, and to be able to speak with the words of God to others when they ask for our advice.

Three Gifts help us to do God’s will

  • Fortitude (Courage) is the ability to do actively what is right in the face of challenges to our faith, and it is the perfection of the Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude (the strength to resist excessive desires).
  • Piety (Reverence) helps us pray to God in true devotion, and to make everything we do into a prayer by showing respect for God and for others in all that we say and do.
  • Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe) is the feeling of amazement and smallness before God, who is all-present and has expressed love for us through all of creation.

See also pp.53-56 in the textbook.

Reflection: Sentence Starters (10 min)

Do Sentence Starters for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit — work on individually.

Breakout on Gifts of the Spirit (40-45 min)

Exploring the Gifts: Scripture Search and Song-writing
Each table is assigned one of the Gifts of the Spirit to explore.  Read the scripture passages and answer the questions on the question page for your table.  Then write a song using the tune “Happy Birthday” that explains what the gift is about.  You may want to brainstorm ideas a bit first by looking back at the questions you have answered about the readings.  Be ready to sing the song together when you present it to the rest of the class (this may involve hand-copying a few lyrics sheets to share).
Question sheets for all tables (18 pages)

Sharing of Songs and Saints (15-20 min)

Share the song you have written as a group, as well as briefly explaining the story of the saint from your Confirmation Name Papers who best exemplifies that Gift or another Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Homework and Reminders (5 min)

HOMEWORK (due at next class)

REMINDERS

  • Next class is next week – this is when we will begin writing the Letter to the Pastor!
    • Track A Monday 12/16, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    • Track B Wednesday 12/18 and Thursday 12/19 in 8th Grade Religion class

Closing Prayer (5 min)

Petitions for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

  • For the gift of wisdom: that God may help us see the real value of everything around us in our complicated lives. We pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer. 
  • For the gift of understanding: that our minds may be open to the mystery of God and that we may see into the heart of things with God’s help. We pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer.
  • For the gift of counsel or right judgment: that we may make good choices in our lives so that we may never turn away from the sure paths God has set for us. We pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer.
  • For the gift of knowledge: that we may be able to separate truth from lies and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus through our daily actions. We pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer.
  • For the gift of fortitude or courage: that we may defend the vulnerable and stand for what is right even when we are afraid of what might happen. We pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer.
  • For the gift of piety or reverence: that we may lead lives of devotion to the Lord and give our time and talent in service to God’s people. We pray to the Lord… Lord, hear our prayer.
  • For the gift of fear of the Lord or wonder and awe: that we may experience the power and mercy of our Lord through prayer and through the works of God’s creation. We pray to the Lord….   Lord, hear our prayer.

Note for later on:

  • Service Hours can be done now; due finally in early February. 
  • Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December at the next class during the Anointed lesson.

Confirmation Prep – Advent

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Advent (with seasonal Confessions)

Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Guide

  • Track A (Religious Ed / catecismo): Monday 12/2/2024, 6:45-8:30 p.m. in Mission Hall at the Parish Center
    The middle of the session with the actual Advent Confessions (7:30-8:15) will take place at Queen of Angels Church.  
  • Track B (Catholic schools): Wednesday 12/4/2024 and Thursday 12/5/2024 in 8th Grade Religion class
    Preparation for Confessions and group prayer will take place during Religion class time, but the actual Advent Confessions for Track B will be during the following week:

    • Queen of Angels School (with 6th-8th Gr.): Wednesday 12/11/2024, 10:00 a.m. in Queen of Angels Church
    • St. Matthias School (with 3rd-8th Gr.): Friday 12/13/2024, 1:30 p.m. in St. Matthias Church

Gathering Icebreaker (10 min.)

Catechists should check in with students about their their family’s Advent & Christmas traditions and especially their progress toward choosing a Confirmation Name and writing their reflection.  It’s due next week!  Track A * Track B

Opening Prayer (5 min.) for Advent

We pause to reflect briefly on the meaning of the Advent candles and choose a student to “light” the wreath (normally with paper flames). The wreath is a ring of evergreens, a symbol of eternity (a circle has no ending) and a sign of life for us in the depths of winter.  The 4 candles stand for the 4 Sundays or weeks of Advent, with themes (sometimes called virtues) related to the Sunday readings:

  • 1st week: Prophecy / Hope [violet]
  • 2nd week: Bethlehem / Peace [violet]
  • 3rd week: Shepherd / Joy [rose]
  • 4th week: Angel / Love [violet]

Blessing of the Advent Wreath

Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,​ he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation.​ Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath.​ May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.  May he come quickly ​and not delay.  We ask this through ​Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Advent Hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ley1aOPDHCE&t=19s)

Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas (20 min.)

There are 3 dimensions of Christ’s “coming” as we sing this ancient song to invite Jesus “Emmanuel” (“God with us”) and ask him to come and free us:

  1. past Incarnation (born in Bethlehem 2000+ years ago)
  2. now (in our hearts)
  3. future return (Second Coming, “…until you come again”).

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ coming, especially of his birth, yes, but all 3 dimensions should be celebrated, as we heard in the Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent this past weekend, with Jesus’ own words about his future return.

We prepare our homes and our lives for celebrating Jesus’ birth at Christmas (gather ideas from students based on icebreaker): cleaning, decorating, cooking, baking, shopping.  Let’s also take some time to prepare our hearts since that is where we want Jesus to come now!

The best way to prepare our hearts is to go to confession, so our hearts can be free from the burden of sin that weighs us down.  It may have been a while since our previous time going to confession, or we may go and receive this sacrament frequently. Reconciliation is not just something we do once before our First Communion, it is something we should do often, at least once or twice a year.  And Advent, as a season of preparation, of hope, peace, joy, and love, is a great opportunity for that!  We will also need to go to confession a little closer to Confirmation day, so we are prepared for the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in the sacrament.


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fvpiu-AE5n8)

Advent Confessions Guide handout with wreath-based graphic organizer and steps to confession

  • Pray for Guidance from Jesus and the Holy Spirit
  • Make an Examination of Conscience
    • to find the sins you have committed that you are sorry for – not accidents!
    • reflection questions themed around failing to live with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
  • Be prepared with the Act of Contrition – “contrition” means being sorry
  • Review the steps to Confession – knowing what to say, do and expect in each step of Confession will help you not to be so nervous!

Transfer to church (10 min)

Confessions (45 min)

Track A: After going to Confession and praying quietly in the church, students who need a different activity can come to the gathering space for a worksheet about Advent saints.  Catechists will help direct students so that we maintain a prayerful atmosphere in the worship space, out of respect for Jesus in the tabernacle, the penitents in confession, and those quietly praying before or after their own Confession.

Track B: Students will have the opportunity to go to Confession next week with their schoolmates.  The worksheet about Advent saints could, at the discretion of the Religion teacher, become an in-class activity during the second half of the designated Confirmation Prep time in Religion class this week.  It is good practice for the research skills needed to complete the Confirmation Name reflection that is due next week.

Transfer from church (10 min)

Homework & Reminders

HOMEWORK (due next week)

  • Textbook pp. 66-69
  • Journal pp. 55-56

REMINDERS

  • Next class session is next week – this is when your book/journal homework and your Confirmation Name reflection will be due!
    • Track A (Religious Ed): Monday 12/9, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    • Track B (Catholic schools):
      • St. Matthias School: Wednesday 12/11 and Thursday 12/12 in 8th Grade Religion class
      • Queen of Angels School: shifted slightly due to Advent Confessions, now Thursday 12/12 and Friday 12/13 in 8th Grade Religion class

Closing Prayer

“People, Look East” (Eleanor Farjeon)

This is Ms. Hohner’s favorite carol – an Advent carol rather than a Christmas carol.  It has a bounce and a joy to it, but this song is definitely for the Advent season when we prepare because Jesus is still “on the way”.


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkG1Zls71KM)

Note for later on:

  • Service Hours can be done and turned in now; due finally in early February. 
  • Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson.

Confirmation Prep – Rules and Tools

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Rules and Tools for Christian Life

Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Guide

  • Track A: Monday 11/18/2024, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
  • Track B: Wednesday 11/20 and Thursday 11/21 in Religion class

Gathering Icebreaker (5 min.)

Check in about Confirmation Names – reflection paper due in 3 weeks!

Opening Prayer (10 min)

Opening Prayer
Guided meditation (leader’s guide) with “Hold My Hand” (Adam Bitter) playing in the background

Presentation on the Ten Commandments (10-15 min)

with handout

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq89Z3Zr_WU)

Icebreaker: Morally Good or Morally Suspect? (15-20 min)

Using the handout Morally Good or Morally Suspect?, groups will explore 5 scenarios for if they are intrinsically good actions (which promote their relationships with God or others) and whether the intention of the action or not having a free choice (due to conflicting obligations or some other circumstance) contribute to making the action wrong.

Presentation on Theological and Cardinal Virtues (10 min)

The theological virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity) come to us from God.  The cardinal virtues (Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance and Justice) are the result of human effort.  “Cardinal” means “hinge”.

If the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes are the “rules” for leading the moral life in Christ, then the Virtues are the “tools” that help us to know and follow the rules.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTVNK4g9npo) 

Breakout: Virtues and Deadly Sins
Use the question sheet (English | Español) to explore the Deadly Sins and their corresponding Theological or Cardinal Virtue. Groups can decide to break into partners or work together as a table.  (Storybooks from the library and) printed story cards will be available for anyone needing to familiarize themselves with the folktales illustrating the Deadly Sins. Story cards (or their sources) are linked in the table below.

7 Deadly Sins
“the Poison”		 7 Pecados Capitales
“el Veneno”		 7 Virtues
“the Antidote”		 7 Virtudes
“el Antídoto”
Pride
excessive focus on self; excessive trust in your own abilities
– – –
“The Hare and the Tortoise”
Proverbs 28:26
Proverbs 16:18		 Soberbia
excesivamente enfocado en si mismo; confianza excesiva en sus propias capacidades
– – –
“La liebre y la tortuga”

Proverbios 28:26
Proverbios 16:18		 Faith
focus on God and trust in divine providence
– – –
Elijah and the Widow:
1 Kings 17:8-24		 T
H
E
O
L
O
G
I
C
A
LV
I
R
T
U
E
S		 Fe
enfocado en Dios; confianza en la providencia divina
– – –
Elías y la Viuda:
1 Reyes 17:8-24		 V
I
R
T
U
D
E
ST
E
O
L
O
G
A
L
E
S
Sloth
lack of hope in God’s goodness
– – –
“The Little Red Hen”
or “The Grasshopper and the Ants”

Proverbs 10:4-7
Proverbs 13:4		 Pereza
la falta de esperanza en la bondad de Dios
– – –
“La gallinita roja” o “El saltamontes y la hormiga”

Proverbios 10:4-7
Proverbios 13:4		 Hope
confidence in God’s goodness
– – –
The Parable of the Talents:
Matthew 25:14-28		 Esperanza
la confianza en la bondad de Dios
– – –
La Parábola de los Talentos:
Mateo 25:14-28
Envy
resentment of others and their gifts
– – –
“Snow White” or “The Woman Who Outshone the Sun”

Proverbs 23:17-18
Proverbs 24:1-2		 Envidia
el resentimiento de otros y sus regalos
– – –
“Blancanieves” o
“La mujer que brillaba aún más que el sol”

Proverbios 23:17-18
Proverbios 24:1-2		 Charity
love of God and others shown through sharing gifts
– – –
The Good Samaritan:
Luke 10:29-36		 Caridad
el amor de Dios y de otros demostrado de compartir regalos
– – –
El Buen Samaritano:
Lucas 10:29-36
Wrath / Anger
uncontrolled hatred; acting without thinking
– – –
“Rapunzel”Proverbs 17:14
Proverbs 29:22
Proverbs 30:33		 Ira
el odio incontrolable; actuando sin pensamiento
– – –
“Rapunzel”

Proverbios 17:14
Proverbios 29:22
Proverbios 30:33		 Prudence
the ability to think before acting
– – –
The Parable of the Ten Virgins:
Matthew 25:1-13		 C
A
R
D
I
N
A
LV
I
R
T
U
E
S		 Prudencia
la capacidad de pensar antes de actuar
– – –
La Parabola de las Diez Vírgines:
Mateo 25:1-13		 V
I
R
T
U
D
E
SC
A
R
D
I
N
A
L
E
S
Avarice / Greed
excessive desire for material wealth and abundance
– – –
“King Midas”

Proverbs 15:27		 Avaricia
el deseo excesivo para las riquezas materiales y la abundancia
– – –
“El rey Midas”

Proverbios 15:27		 Justice
a desire to make sure that all can share in God’s abundance
– – –
Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard:
Matthew 20:1-16		 Justicia
el deseo de asegurarse que todos puedan compartir la abundancia de Dios
– – –
Parábola de los Trabajadores de la Viña:
Mateo 20:1-16
Lust
desires that disrespect the dignity of others
– – –
“The Fisherman and His Wife”

Proverbs 12:8-11		 Lujuria
los deseos que faltan al respeto y dignidad de otros
– – –
“El Pescador y Su Esposa”

Proverbios 12:8-11		 Fortitude
the strength to resist excessive desires
– – –
The Temptation of Jesus:
Luke 4:5-8		 Fortaleza
la fuerza para resistir deseos excesivos
– – –
La Tentación de Jesús:
Lucas 4:5-8
Gluttony
excessive desire for food and drink
– – –
“Hansel and Gretel”

Proverbs 23:20-21		 Gula
el deseo excesivo para alimento y bebida
– – –
“Hansel y Gretel”

Proverbios 23:20–21		 Temperance
balancing what you want with what you need
– – –
Parable of the Birds and the Wildflowers:
Matthew 6:25-34		 Templanza
equilibrar lo que usted desea con lo que usted necesita
– – –
La Parábola de los Aves y los Lirios:
Mateo 6:25-34

Homework and Reminders (5 min)

HOMEWORK (due in 2 weeks, after Thanksgiving)

  • Textbook pp. 37-40 and 51-52
  • Journal pp. 32-34
  • Work on your Confirmation Name Reflection due in mid-December!  Try to choose a Confirmation name, finish researching your saint, and begin writing your reflection (Track A * Track B)!

REMINDERS

  • No regular class next week; Happy Thanksgiving!
  • Next class session is the week after Thanksgiving – this is when your book/journal homework is due
    • Track A (Religious Ed): Monday, December 2, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Mission Hall
      • will include opportunity for Advent Confessions at Queen of Angels Church, 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
      • arrive and dismiss from class in Mission Hall as usual; students will be walked back and forth to church
    • Track B (Catholic schools): Wednesday and Thursday, December 4 and 5 during Religion class
      • includes preparation for attending Advent Confessions during school time the following week
  • Confirmation Name reflections are due the next class after that
    • Track A Monday 12/9, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Mission Hall
    • Track B maybe Wednesday 12/11 and Thursday 12/12 in 8th Grade Religion class

Closing Prayer Ritual (5 min)

Act of Faith, Hope and Love (prayer card, in your preferred language)

My God, I believe in you, I trust in you,
I love you above all things, with all my heart and mind and strength.
I love you because you are supremely good and worth loving; and because I love you,
I am sorry with all my heart for offending you.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. Amen.

Dios mío, creo en ti, confío en ti
y te amo sobre todas las cosas con todo mi corazón, con toda mi mente y con todo mi ser.
Te amo porque eres absolutamente bueno y digno de ser amado; y porque te amo,
te pido perdón de todo corazón por haberte ofendido.
Señor, ten misericordia de mi, pecador. Amén.

Note for later on:

  • Service Hours can be done now, due finally in early February  
  • Confirmation Name essay due in mid-December (Track A on Mon 12/9, Track B on Thurs 12/12).  
  • Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson.

Confirmation Prep – Sponsor Night

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Class with Parents and Sponsors

Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Guide

  • Track A & B: Monday 11/11/2024, 6:45-8:30 p.m. at St. Matthias Church

Gathering Icebreakers (10 min.)

Candidates should share with their parent and/or Sponsor(s) the research they have done so far on the saints they are considering for their Confirmation Name.  Students were asked to come to this class prepared with the names of 2 saints and something they find interesting about each of them.

Candidates and their Sponsor(s) (or parents) will also do an icebreaker evaluating their gifts and talents using:

Opening Prayer (5 min)

Opening Prayer
“Pan de Vida” (v. 1 in English, v. 2 en español)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ-j-DrNMOo 

Introductory Comments from Father Jason Malave (10 min)

Videos on the Corporal Works of Mercy (15-20 min)

Bilingual Photo Handout on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
(Videos should load fine at church where the internet is different; they are just caught in the Q of A School firewall for unknown reasons.)

English video with option for good subtitles in Spanish:


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfWEUw0iwAQ)

Spanish video from the same producers on the same topic; script is ever so slightly different, but may be helpful for those making up the session at home:


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=486MoqSEpWM)

Partner Work: Questions on the Works of Mercy and Saints of Mercy worksheet (25-30 min)

Candidates will work with the Sponsor(s) and/or parents on the worksheets:

Presentation on Service & Sponsor Responsibilities (15 min)

Gifts of the Spirit Demonstration (10 min)

Savannah P. (11/11), Kyla M. (11/9), and/or Viviana C. (11/14) will be invited to come forward and open a “birthday present” for the class, gift cards listing the Gifts of the Spirit.

Homework and Reminders (5 min)

HOMEWORK

  • work more on your Confirmation Name Reflection.  In the next week or so, before Thanksgiving, try to settle on a Confirmation Name to choose, and finish your research on that saint.
  • Textbook read/do pp. 41-43
  • Journal read/do pp. 52-54

REMINDERS

  • Next class session is next week – this is when your book/journal homework is due!
    • Track A Monday 11/18, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Mission Hall at the Parish Center, 4412 N. Western
    • Track B Wednesday 11/20 and Thursday 11/21 in 8th Grade Religion class

Closing Prayer (5 min)

St. Ignatius’ Prayer for Generosity (slides, in your preferred language)

Teach me, Lord,
To serve you as you deserve.​
To give without counting the cost,​
To fight heedless of wounds,​
To labor without seeking rest,​
To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward ​
Save the knowledge that I have done your will.  Amen.​

Enséñanos, Señor,
A servirte como mereces: ​
A dar sin contar el costo, ​
A luchar sin contar las heridas, ​
A trabajar y a no buscar descanso, ​
A laborar sin pedir recompensa ​
Excepto que saber qué hacemos tu voluntad.  Amén.​

Note for later on:

  • Confirmation Name essay due in mid-December (Track A on 12/9, Track B on 12/12).  
  • Service Hours can be done now, due finally in early February
  • Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson.
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