Confirmation Partnership in Preparation

Confirmationis….. One of 7 Sacraments Many Theologies Completes initiation Confirms our Baptism Public Commitment Sacrament of choice

Confirmation Ceremony Oil of Chrism BishopHoly Spirit Sponsor Celebration of Faith Renew Baptism Promises Name

Opportunities for Partnership as you prepare Enrolment Ceremony –1 st Weekend of Advent –Commitment Certificate Letter to the Bishop or Parish Priest –Why I would like to be confirmed –In Week 1 of programme:Written at home with parents and guardians. Signed by candidates and parents/guardians Retreat Penitential Service/Ceremony of Light Pledge Ceremony Confirmation Ceremony

Why do we need “You shall be my Witnesses?” Builds on the strong foundation that already exists in our parishes A need to create spaces outside of the classroom where the candidates can talk and learn about the faith to which they are making a commitment in Confirmation An invitation for the family to be actively involved together in the preparation for the sacrament An acknowledgement that we need to take more seriously the way in which we prepare for sacraments An opportunity for all involved to grow in faith together

“The proper meaning of catechesis is this, to bring the flame of Jesus’ love, even if it is a small one, to the hearts of children, and through the children to their parents, thus reopening the places of faith of our time.” Pope Benedict XVI Summer 2008

You Shall Be My Witnesses Explores the themes of –Belonging How do I Belong? –Believing What do I believe? –Being How can I be a Christian? –Becoming How do I share the Good News? –Beginning Again What happens next?

Week 1: Belonging How do I belong? –Belonging to a group –How I came to belong to the Church –Belonging to the Church. What do I do? –My ‘Yes’ PrayerInvitation to Parents

Weeks 2 & 3:Believing & Being Week 2 –What I believe –The Creed Prophets Prayer Week 3 –Pentecost –Gifts of the Spirit Using the gifts Prayer

Week 4:Becoming Becoming a Witness –Fruits of the Spirit –Pay It Forward –What have we learned –Evaluation

Week 5: Beginning Again This fifth session happens after Confirmation It offers an opportunity to –Revisit the “Pay it Forward” project –Suggest ways in which the candidates can continue to live out their Confirmation promises –Thank all who have been involved –Pray together –CelebratePresentation of Certificates

Programme Resources Leader’s Book Activity Book for Candidate’s Newsletters DVD Commitment Certificate Certificate of Completion

How does the programme work? 2 leaders for each 8 candidates 1 session a week for each of the four weeks before Confirmation. –The fifth and final session is a joint session with all candidates and parents and takes place after Confirmation Each session will last about an hour 1 leader in each group should be a parent/guardian. Second leader may be drawn from young adults or members of the parish community Teachers will select membership of groups

What we ask of parents/guardians Encourage your child in their participation of the programme Help them with home activities and try out some of the suggestions in the Newsletter Be present for the prayer time during the programme Take time to consider carefully the ‘yes’ of Confirmation with your child

Finally We need parents to volunteer to be leaders Training will take place centrally for a number of parishes