Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Guide

• Track A: Monday 11/27/2023, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
• Track B: Wednesday 11/29 and Friday 12/1 in Religion class

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
“This Is Amazing Grace” – Phil Wickham

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPQKj2Zptr0)

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)

• BLUE (Mrs. Stella Peters): Knowledge (question sheet) — Proverbs 19:2, Isaiah 11:6-9; John 8:31-32; 1 Timothy 1:5
• GREEN (Ms. Rachel Hohner): Counsel/Right Judgment (question sheet) — 1 Kings 3:16-28; Matthew 7:7-11
• ORANGE (Mr. Scott Michaels): Fortitude/Courage (question sheet) — Micah 3:8-10; Acts 4:13-22
  • This Orange set of materials should be used by students joining remotely on Zoom.
• PURPLE (Mrs. Roine Dryer-Michaels): Wisdom (question sheet) — 1 Kings 3:3-15; Wisdom 8:5, 6-8, 9-18, 21
• RED (Ms. Leticia Solache): Fear of the Lord/Wonder and Awe (question sheet) — Psalm 8:2-10; Psalm 131:1-3; Canticle of the Sun (from the writings of St. Francis of Assisi)
• YELLOW (Ms. Isabel López): Understanding (question sheet) — Psalm 119:127-131; Luke 9:43-45; Luke 24:45-49
• BLACK (Track A Example / Track B only): Piety/Reverence (question sheet) — 1 Timothy 5:1-4;  Matthew 6:1-8;  Psalm 104:33-34
• PINK (Track B only):  Wisdom (question sheet) — Wisdom 7:7-12; James 3:13-18; Matthew 7:24-27
• NOT USED THIS YEAR: Fear of the Lord/Wonder and Awe (question sheet) — Proverbs 19:21-23; Exodus 14:21-22, 26-31; Mark 4:35-41

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.

• Example: Piety / Reverence
  [download and play a recorded sound clip]
  When you respect God above
  Through prayer and helping others
  You show you have reverence
  Since God shares life with you
• Example: Knowledge
  [download and play a recorded sound clip]
  When you know who Christ is
  And can follow him
  You’re filled with knowledge
  To live in peace, truth and faith

Homework and Reminders (5 min)

HOMEWORK (due in mid-December)

• Textbook pp. 53-56
• Journal p. 64
• Crossword Puzzle

REMINDERS

• Next class session for all Candidates with Parents is on Monday, December 4, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Queen of Angels Church
  • Bring your Parent(s) — or a stunt-double!  You will need a partner to work with.
• Next regular class is the second week of December – this is when your book/journal homework and crossword puzzle are due!
  • Track A Monday 12/11, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Track B Wednesday 12/13 and Friday 12/15 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 mid-January. 
• Plan for you and your Parent(s) to all attend the class session on Monday, December 4, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  It will take place at Q of A Church so we have room to spread out.
• Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson.

Class with Parents and Sponsors

Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Guide

• Track A & B: Monday 11/13/2023, 6:45-8:30 p.m. at Queen of Angels Church

Gathering Icebreaker (10 min.)

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

• A Personality Profile in English
• Un perfil de Personalidad en español

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

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

(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:

• Works of Mercy Questions in English
• Preguntas sobre las Obras de Misericordia en español
• Saints of Mercy in English
• Santos de Misericordia en español

Presentation on Service & Sponsor Responsibilities (15 min)

• For Sponsors in English
• Padrinos de Confirmación en español

Gifts of the Spirit Demonstration (10 min)

Connor Adams (11/15) and Jordy Zetina (11/7) 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 (due after Thanksgiving)

• Confirmation Name Reflection
  • Track A details
  • Track B details
• Textbook pp. 51-52, which really belongs with Rules & Tools session!
• Journal pp. 32, 33, and 34, which leads into Rules & Tools session!

REMINDERS

• Next class session is the week after Thanksgiving – this is when your book/journal homework and Confirmation Name reflection are due!
  • Track A Monday 11/27, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Track B Wednesday 11/29 and Friday 12/1 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 at end of November (Track A on 11/27, Track B on 12/1).  
• Service Hours can be done now, submission form open soon; due finally in mid-January. 
• Plan for you and your Parent(s) to attend the class session on Monday, December 4, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  It will take place at Q of A Church so we have room to spread out.
• Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson.

Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Guide

• Track A: Monday 11/6/2023, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
• Track B: Wednesday 11/8 and Thursday 11/9 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 and storycards will be available for anyone needing to familiarize themselves with the folktales illustrating the Deadly Sins.

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 after Thanksgiving)

• Textbook pp. 51-52
• Journal pp. 32, 33, and 34

REMINDERS

• Next class session for all Candidates with Sponsors and Parents is on Monday, November 13, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Queen of Angels Church
  • Bring your Parent and Sponsor!
• Next regular class is the week after Thanksgiving – this is when your book/journal homework and Confirmation Name reflection are due!
  • Track A Monday 11/27, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Track B Wednesday 11/29 and Friday 12/1 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, submission form open soon; due finally in mid-January. 
• Plan for you, your Sponsor(s) and Parent(s) to all attend the class session on Monday, November 13, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  It will take place at Q of A Church so we have room to spread out.
• Confirmation Name essay due at end of November (Track A on 11/27, Track B on 12/1).  
• Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson.