Session Overview for Catechists, Monday 9/23/2024
Slides * Catechist Summary
“A Journey of Trust” initial class with parents
Welcome and Opening Prayer (5-10 min.)
“Singing is praying twice!” — attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo
The first verse of the hymn “Come, Holy Ghost” 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?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jqAGF3j2GI
Program Overview (30 min)
What is Confirmation?
What Happens at Confirmation?
Viewing of “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 group. 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.
who attend CPS, suburban, or non-Catholic private schools during the week
| Calendar of Classes & other events |
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| Track A (hot pink) |
Track B (bright yellow) |
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Discipleship Commitment Form (beige)
for signature by student and parent due the week of October 7 |
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| Track A | Track B |
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Sponsor Form
for signature by parent due the week of October 28
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| Track A | Track B |
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Save-the-Date Flyer for the “Rise Up” Retreat (white)
Retreat offered during the day on Tuesday, November 5 |
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| Track A Flyer |
Track B Flyer |
| Confirmation Name Reflection (gold) assigned as homework in late October due the week of December 9 |
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| 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 13 |
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| Track A | Track B |
| Christian Service (white paper) do & document at least 5 hours due the week of February 3 |
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| Track A |
Track B |
| Printable Form for Tracking Service Hours | |
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)
“Is Your Faith Still in Kindergarten?” video from BlueFishTV / RightNowMedia.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQCDAfH-N4E
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 handout – both sides * Labels for goals cards bilingual)
MATERIALS:
- “SMART” goals instructions handout
- blank card marked “Prayer / Moral Life / Service” for writing goal
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 (5 min)
HOMEWORK
- journal “My Journey Begins,” pages vi – xii, by week of 9/30
- Commitment Form by week of 10/7
- Sponsor Form by week of 10/28
- Bring your materials to next class session:
- Track A (Religious Ed): Monday, September 30, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Track B (SMS & Q of A School): split between Wednesday, October 2 AND Thursday, October 3 during 8th Grade Religion Classes
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 or Ms. Anne Medio for Track B).- due for Track A on Monday, October 7
- due for Track B on Thursday, October 10
- 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 11. 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 28
- due for Track B on Wednesday, October 30
- Beige Commitment Form due in early October.
Note for later on:
- Service Hours can be done now, due finally in early February
- Confirmation Name essay due in December; details & help coming in late October during the Saintapalooza lesson
- Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson