Queen of Apostles Catholic Parish

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Confirmation Prep – Purify My Heart

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Retreat 2 with Reconciliation: “Purify My Heart”

Catechist Guide * Slides (song lyrics only)

Arrival
Pick up your nametag

Early Dinner / Snack
Meal prayer
Pizza, carrots, grapes, cookies and soft drinks

Opening Prayer – “Pass the Cross”
Prompts will be given orally for individual prayer with a hand cross (2-3 crosses per table).

Pentecost
Reading from Acts 2:1-12 (Mrs. Peters) followed by a talk on how the Holy Spirit radically altered the lives of the apostles.

Connect to the chorus to “Refiner’s Fire”:

Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire is to be holy, set apart for you, Lord.
I choose to be holy, set apart for you, my Master, ready to do your will.

In Confirmation, we re-enact this Pentecost event. But we do not place tongues of flame above our heads or create the sound of a great driving gust of wind. Instead, we are anointed with oil.  Oil is an ancient sign of protection and purity. It is a sign of being chosen, like getting tapped on the head in “Duck Duck Goose.” In being anointed with the Sacred Chrism, we are anointed with the seal of Christ on our foreheads, anointed and chosen as priest, prophet and king.

Small Group Breakout: Chosen as Priest, Prophet, King
All 4 Question sheets

Video with lyrics and music for the retreat theme song, “Refiner’s Fire”

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y8zP34AhuU)

Purification
Reading from Malachi 3:1-4 (Ms. López) and the process of purifying metal by burning out the parts that have no value. Through purification, we are changed, converted to be closer to Christ.

Verses to “Refiner’s Fire”:

  1. Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver. Purify my heart, let me be as gold, pure gold.
  2. Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin and make me holy. Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin, deep within.

Full Lyrics to Refiner’s Fire: PDF |  Download Purify My Heart

Reading from Acts 9:1-22 (Mr. Michaels), the conversion of St. Paul

Reflection — Temptations and Challenges to Our Faith
Mrs. Michaels and Ms. Hohner will address to the difficult times in life when impurities can become problems in relationships with God, others, and ourselves.

Witnessing to Christ
Reading from Revelation 3:14-22 (Mr. Fix) and not being “lukewarm” in our witness as we may have been in our preparation. How do we witness to Jesus Christ after Confirmation?

As Catholics, the most important tool we have for purifying our hearts is to experience God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sacraments 101: Penance and Reconciliation video from BustedHalo

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5-vu6A58E)

Reconciliation Prep
How to approach the Examination of Conscience and make a good confession (led by Mrs. Michaels)
   (Ms. Hohner goes to church to prepare for Reconciliation service)

Move to Queen of Angels Church
Mr. Michaels, Ms. López, Mr. Fix, Ms. Solache and Ms. Oviedo accompany students walking to church
(Mrs. Michaels and Mrs. Peters remain at the Parish Center to clean up)

Reconciliation Prayer Service
program booklet (order of service)
Candidates light candles when they are done with their confessions.

Retreat Reflection
evaluation

Closing Prayer
from the Reconciliation program booklet:

God, your sons and daughters stand before you in humility and trust. Look with compassion on us and heal our wounds; stretch out a hand of mercy to save us and raise us up. Keep us free from harm as members of Christ’s body, as beloved children of your family who will be anointed as priests, prophets and kings in Confirmation. Do not allow the temptations of sin to triumph over us, or death to claim us forever, for you raised us to new life and call us as your own, holy and chosen. Amen.

Homework

  • The Practice is at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday 2/20 in the church.  Bring your Sponsor(s), or bring a stunt-double (parent or other adult family member).
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