TITLE: Good Shepherd Confirmation Preparation

INTRODUCTION: As you prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation, you reflect upon your own personal faith and your relationship with God.  Our faith is developed through the Sacraments, prayer, and our relationships with other Catholics. 

TASK: Research, reflect and create “products” of your faith.  These “products” include a reflective essay, a prayer book, an evaluation, and a letter to the Bishop.

If you have questions or concerns please contact Alan Woodruff by telephone (home:  867-5537) (cell:  454-1178) or by email (acw6@sbcglobal.net).

PROCESS:

A. Meetings

    1. Attend parent/student meeting on Sunday May 4, 2008 @ 1:00pm

    2. Attend sponsor/student meeting on Sunday May 18, 2008 @ 9:00am

B. Confirmation Name

1. Read one(1) or more of the following articles located at the American Catholic Website:

            a. Communion of Saints:  Top Team of All Time, James Philipps

            b. On Mary Truths and Connections, Lara Schmitt

            c. On the Road With St. Paul, Kevin Regan

            d. Teen Saints in Times Past Gift and Lessons, Timothy J. Cronin

2. Select a saint’s name as your Confirmation name.

a. You may use one of your Baptismal names if the name belongs to a saint.

b. You may select a saint according to a personal interest. For example, your father’s name is Joseph.

c. You may select a saint according to his/her patronage.  For example, you enjoy music and St. Cecelia is the patron saint of music

3. Research the saint associated with your birth date.  Use the resources at the American Catholic Website, or other resource.

4. Write a one(1) page essay reflecting on how you chose your Confirmation name and how your birth date saint inspired you. 

Submit your essay by email to Alan Woodruff before September 7, 2008.

C. Rite of Enrollment

            1. Participate in the Rite of Enrollment on Sunday, September 7, 2008 during 10:30 Mass

D. Prayer

1. Read one(1) or more of the following articles located at the American Catholic Website:

            a. A Scriptural Way of the Cross, Jim Auer

            b. Connect the Creed to Your Life, Lynn Marie-Ittner Klammer

            c. Praying the Rosary With the New Mysteries of Light, Brother Albert M. Rivera, F.M.S.

            d. Praying with the Silence of GOD, Ann Marie Eckert

2. Research examples of prayer in the Scriptures. 

Suggested readings:       The book of Psalms      Tobit 3:1-6,11-15        Matthew 6:5-13        Lamentations 5        2 Chronicles 20:6-12

3. Research and review common Catholic prayers at EWTN Global Catholic Network or the Catholic Doors Ministry

4. Review our parish prayer requests on the Good Shepherd Parish Website.

5. Discuss the results of your research and prayer practices with your Confirmation sponsor. 

6. Create your own prayer book containing at least 5 prayers.  The 5 prayers should include:       

                        a.   one(1) Chaplet

b.   one(1) Litany

c.   one(1) Novena

d.   one(1) prayer to or by your patron saint

e.   one(1) musical prayer in form of lyrics to a song or hymn that inspires you in your faith.

 Be prepared to share a printed copy of your prayer book by September 21, 2008.

7. Attend the Prayer presentation on Sunday, September 21, 2008 from 8:30am until 10:00am