Queen of Apostles Catholic Parish

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Confirmation Prep – Spirit Symbols

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Session Overview for Catechists, Monday 10/19/2026
Slides * Catechist Summary * DRAFT Listing of Participants by Table

Warm-up (30 minutes)

Icebreakers (<10 minutes)

  • Introduce yourself to the people you don’t already know at your table
  • Imagine you have superpowers and a secret identity ​(like the comic book hero of your choice).  ​What would you do with those powers ​that you do not ordinarily do?  

Hymn Learning & Opening Prayer (20 minutes)

“Singing is praying twice!” — attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo
The hymn “O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God / Espíritu Consolador” 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? Let us continue to learn this song to sing at the Confirmation Masses in April!


Song Sheet: Full Page Letter Size | Handout Size on Legal Paper) – each nunbered verse is read across the 3 rows


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lOV2pMOMcg

Who Is The Holy Spirit? (10 min)

Watching a single segment of a longer video (begin @ 3:58, end @ 5:27)


Source: https://players.brightcove.net/6415869056001/eUy0Am5Rp_default/index.html?videoId=6363081532112&t=238s 

The Mystery of the Trinity

  • The Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is a Mystery of our faith: impossible to understand totally fully, but we wrestle with the question anyway because it is so vitally important.
  • What various saints have to say about the Trinity and how they try to understand this relationship at the heart of who God is
  • Symbols mean different things in different contexts

Instructions for Breakout (5 minutes)

SEAL: Example given QUICKLY in the large group

  • Photos/tangible objects to examine and reflect on; for Seal, this would include photos of a safety seal on a bottleandwedding rings; tangible items zip ties, envelopes, tamper-evident bags, and embossing seal(s)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (groups will have 15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss meaning): for Seal, this would be discussion questions based on Song of Songs 8:6-7; Revelation 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; and Ephesians 4:30
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like this symbol 

Breakout (45 minutes) led by each catechist

Note to catechists: if the file of the questions you download has a different table color listed on the page, it might still be the correct set of questions, just from a previous year when a different table color had those questions and this theme.  Check if the same passages are covered as your list in this website post; if so, it should be the same set of questions you will receive on Monday.  [Master packet of 8 tables of questions with the correct table colors for 2026]

WIND: Black Table with Ms. Gabby Owens, subbing for Mr. John Kyle

  • Photo(s) shown by catechist: tree bent by wind, sand dunes shaped by wind
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: electric fan (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (will have 15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like the wind
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class!

OIL: Blue Table with Mrs. Jamie Mocarski

  • Photo(s) shown by catechist: using perfume spray, a priest using incense at a Mass 
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: scented oil air-freshener refills, essential oil samples, perfume and cologne ad samples (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like oil
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class!

DOVE: Green Table with Ms. Rachel Hohner

  • Photo(s) & video shown by catechist: dove in flight * many doves being released & flying away
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: model bird, feathers (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss)
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like a dove
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class!

FIRE: Orange Table with Mr. Jim Hohner, subbibg for Mr. Jack Recinto

  • Photo(s) & video shown by catechist: lit candle in a dark room; people around a campfire
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: lit candle (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like fire
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class!

BREATH: Pink Table with Ms. Alejandra Colin

  • Photo(s) shown by catechist: checking for breath during CPR; blowing dandelion seeds
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: blowing bubbles (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like breath
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class!

OIL: Purple Table with Mr. Dan Richlen or Mrs. Melissa Richlen

  • Photo(s) shown by catechist: changing the oil of a car; applying body lotion
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: motor oil, hand lotion (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like oil
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class!

WATER: Red Table with Ms. Isabel López (hybrid version, one Water table instead of two)

  • Photo(s) shown by catechist: life in a coral reef; desert landscape(s)
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: pitcher of ice water and cups, seashells (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like water
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class!

FIRE: Yellow Table with Ms. Ani D’Ambrosio

  • Photo(s) shown by catechist: muffins baking, meat grilling
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: ashes (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like fire
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class! 

[NOT USED THIS YEAR: Water divided in 2 themes
WATER part 1 (often RED)

WATER part 2 (often WHITE)

  • Photo(s) shown by catechist: desert landscape; child playing in a lawn sprinkler
  • Tangible object(s) shown by catechist: pitcher of ice water and cups (5 minutes to show & discuss)
  • Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss):
  • Make posters illustrating this symbol of the Holy Spirit (2-3 students collaborate on a poster, 3-4 posters per table group)
  • Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best poster to show, and who will explain how the Holy Spirit is like water
  • Take-home tokens given at end of class!]

Drawing Conclusions (20-25 minutes)

Group representatives report back (15+ minutes, or <2 minutes for each group)

Homework Assignments

Closing Prayers — “Glory Be” as Embodied Prayer

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit, textbook page iv

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray:
Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

HOMEWORK & REMINDERS

  • Bring completed and signed Sponsor Form and all other materials (Bible, book, journal, folder) to next classes:
    • Track A (Religious Education / Catecismo): Monday 10/26
    • Track B (Catholic Schools / SMS & Queen of Angels School): week of Monday 10/26, two days in 8th Grade Religion Class
  • Next month
    • Retreat I coming on Tuesday, November 3
      • 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Holy Family Hall (basement) and Queen of Angels Church, both at 2330 W. Sunnyside
      • Track A should be dropped off by 8:30 a.m. for Mass in the church, knock if late
      • Track B will walk over as a field trip (from Queen of Angels School or from St. Matthias School) after arriving at school as usual
      • lunch will be provided (pizza with fresh fruit, carrots & dip, cookies, soft drinks or water)
      • a refillable water bottle labeled with your name is suggested
      • your parents are invited for the 8:30 a.m. Mass in English, but are not expected to stay for the whole retreat
      • expect witness talks, music, games, prayer, small group activities, Eucharistic Adoration, Mass, and more!
      • this retreat is only for Second Year Confirmation classes (Track A Religious Education & Track B Catholic Schools)
        • there will be a separate retreat in February for First Year Confirmation classes (Sunday Level 7 and 7+, 7th Graders in Catholic schools)
        • the group of missionaries presenting the retreats this year asked to spilt the Confirmation students into 2 smaller retreats
    • you, your Sponsor(s) and Parent(s) should all attend class together at St. Matthias Church on Monday, November 9, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Note for later on:

  • Service Hours can be done now and documents can be turned in at any Confirmation Prep class, due in early March
  • Let Ms. Hohner know about conflicts with your attendance at our retreat “Never Alone” which will be on Tuesday, November 3.  See your track’s schedule for details.
  • Plan for you, your Sponsor(s) and Parent(s) to all attend class at St. Matthias Church on Monday, November 9, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Confirmation Name essay due in mid-November, details & help coming at our next class, the Saintapalooza lesson
  • Letter to the Pastor due in mid-January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson
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