“Growth in Grace”
Catechist Summary * Slides * UPDATED Interviews Schedule
Opening Prayer (5 min.)
Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester
Thanks be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
Being Confirmed, Receiving Grace (10 min)
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Q5y_g5-e0
Being Confirmed is like making the basketball team. Your Sponsor is your coach. If you get involved, you are playing in the basketball game. If you just sit on the bench, you are wasting your gifts and talents you could be sharing with God’s family. And you will never get better at playing the game.
Breakout Activity at Tables: Your Prayer Style (25 min)
Read directions for prayer type inventory packet carefully!
- Take inventory (p. A)
- Read descriptions of spiritual path (p. B) & Styles of Prayer grids (pp. C-D), keeping in mind your score in each category.
- Discuss or reflect individually on your personal result and prayer suggestions.
A Prayerful Confirmation Mass (5 min)
Review the Invitation to Prayer and Laying on of Hands Prayer to call down the Holy Spirit in the Confirmation Mass (using p. 6 of a previous year’s Confirmation Mass program booklet). Consider ways to call yourself back to prayer if you find your mind or hands becoming less prayerful during the Confirmation Mass.
Made for More: Invitation to Spiritual Growth (5 min)
Think back to “Is Your Faith Still in Kindergarten?” video & SMART goals from last Fall. We hope you’ve been growing while preparing for Confirmation!
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWShaGft0wU
“You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge,” so let’s see where we’re at spiritually!
Breakout Activity at Tables: Spiritual Life Snapshot (20 min)
Tree parts worksheet for each student to complete a spiritual life tree
Lent: A Time for Spiritual Growth (10 min)
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJBMw2pQZiA
ALTERNATE VIDEO TO REPLACE THE ONE ABOVE WHICH NO LONGER WORKS:
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9rM5VOqndg
During Lent, we seek unity with Christ through personal sacrifice. Lenten sacrifice is about giving up something you need to benefit another person.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-LK_MyvnLA
We can use CRS Rice Bowl as a tool for our for prayer, fasting & almsgiving this Lent. This is a way to help the victims of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as others in need around the world.
Breakout Activity at Tables: My Lenten Sacrifices (10 min)
Students write on the side of their CRS Rice Bowl bank what they are sacrificing for Lent. Groups should also look at the calendar and recipes from the booklet inside the bank.
Confirmation Novena (5 min)
A novena is a prayer for 9 days, like the disciples awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit between the Ascension and Pentecost.
Our Confirmation Novena 2024 handout will guide you in your daily prayer from Friday 2/16 to Confirmation day Saturday 2/24.
Reminders and Closing Prayer (5 min)
Reminders:
- retreat this Friday 2/9, 4:30pm-8:30pm
- next class for all students Monday 2/12 @ 6:45pm
- NO class for Track A on Monday 2/19
- practice Tuesday 2/20, 6:45pm at Q of A Church, bring your Sponsor or a parent
Homework:
- make sure your Sponsor (or parent/other adult) knows to come to 2/20 Practice
Closing Prayer (from back cover of textbook)
O Lord, may I feel your strength and love each day of my life. Let me know your guiding presence so that I can grow into the fullest person I am called to be. Increase in me the fruits of your Holy Spirit. May your peace and light accompany me and guide me. Let me realize how deeply loved and precious I am in your eyes. Amen.