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 June 14, 2009 @ 1:00pm

2. Attend sponsor/student meeting on Sunday August 23, 2009 @ 8:30am

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 August 23, 2009.

 

C. Rite of Enrollment

1. Participate in the Rite of Enrollment on Sunday, August 23, 2009 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. Select and bring a copy of your favorite inspirational song.  The copy may be a CD or a printed copy of the lyrics

7. Attend the Prayer presentation on Sunday, September 13, 2009 from 8:30am until 10:00am

8. Complete a one(1) month Prayer Journal according to the guidelines described at the Prayer presentation.

Discuss your Prayer Journal with your Confirmation sponsor.

Bring the completed Prayer Journal to the Confirmation Retreat on Sunday, October 18, 2009.

 

E. Sacraments

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

a. What difference does Confirmation make?, Joseph Martos

b. Why We Have Sacraments, Leonard Foley, O.F.M.

c. Top Ten Reasons for Going to Mass, Sean Reynolds

d. Making Mass a Real Celebration:  Tips on Planning, Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.

2.  Research and review the purpose and symbols for each of the seven(7) sacraments.

3.  Discuss the personal meaning of the sacraments with your Confirmation sponsor.

4. Attend the Sacraments presentation on Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 8:30am until 10:00am

 

F. Retreat

1. Attend the Confirmation Retreat on Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 9:30am until 6:00pm

2. Participate in individual and group activities

 

G. Bishop’s Letter

1. Reflect on your readings, activities, discussions, and feelings that you experienced during your preparation for Confirmation

2. Write a letter to Bishop Gerald Gettlefinger summarizing your reflections and requesting the sacrament on Confirmation on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

3. Share a draft of your letter with your Confirmation sponsor. 

4. Submit a copy of your letter by email to Alan Woodruff AND mail a copy of your letter to the Catholic Center by October 25, 2009.

Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger

Catholic Center

P.O. Box 4169

Evansville , IN 47724-0169

 

H. Confirmation Mass - Thursday November 5, 2009

 

CONCLUSION: The “products” of your faith are only outward samples of your faith.  The true preparation comes from within your heart and your personal communications with God.