St. Peter Parish HS Program for Confirmation Preparation
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION PROGRAM
St. Peters Parish
2012 - Confirmation - April 26, 2012
7:00 p.m. - St. Peter Church
Practice - April 24, 2012
7:00 p.m. - St. Joseph Cathedral
Building Relationship Between Candidates and Parishioners
Confirmation Candidates will be introduced to the congregation at the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, September 11th. Candidate’s names will be made available to all parishioners and parishioners will be asked to pray for candidates during their formation. Candidates will participate in decorating the Church at Christmas and Easter as well as other ongoing projects of the parish.
Parents and sponsors are encouraged to participate during the preparation sessions. Members of the parish will serve as small table group leaders. Parish Members will share their faith with the entire group and in small group discussions. There will also be an opportunity for parents and other members of our faith community to share with the group their own mission and ministry.
Knowledge Formation of Youth
A combination of several programs will provide the structure and materials for the Cathedral’s Preparation Program. We will be using information and materials from R.O.C. by Life Teen, Confirmed in a Faithful Community by Thomas Zanzig, Confirming Faith by Kieran Sawyer, Welcome to the Way By James Bitney & Yvette Nelson and the Ligouri series of handouts Confirmation for Teens.
Faith Formation
Faith formation is the responsibility of the entire parish and will enlist the help and involvement of the parish. A Confirmation team will assist in this process by helping plan the program, serving as small table group leaders, helping to facilitate discussion and guiding candidates to recognize and be open to the Holy Spirit. Candidates will also expand their knowledge of Roman Catholicism, enabling them to accept for themselves the gift of faith given to them at Baptism.
Each session will begin with the Scripture reading from that Sunday’s Gospel. In small groups, discussion questions will encourage faith sharing and interaction with other candidates and the adult table leader. A speaker, couple or team members will then share with the candidates how they understand and are living out their Catholic faith in relation to a specific topic for the session. Discussion and questions will follow in small groups. A decade or more of the Rosary is prayed in the closing segment of each session. A mystery is explained and in small groups the candidates and table leader “apply” the mystery to their faith experience and share with entire group. A table group leads a decade.
Sunday Mass attendance is expected from those who are asking to be confirmed.
A Saturday retreat at the Chancery/Carmelite Monastery and Cathedral is scheduled for March. The focus will be on the gifts of Holy Spirit and living the Sacraments conducted by David Lankford. Sponsors/Parents are invited to participate. The Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are offered as a part of the retreat experience.
Participation of Youth in Mission and Ministry of the Church
Candidates will be expected to attend and participate in liturgical roles at the Mass following Sunday morning sessions. They will also participate in other events within the parish and community as opportunities arise (Parish Christmas Activities, Samaritan Center, K of C breakfasts, Vitae Dinner, Roe v/s Wade Anniversary, Easter Activities, etc) giving the candidates first-hand experience with Corporal Works of Mercy. Members of the Confirmation Team and parish community will share their experience of ministry with the candidates to help encourage Candidate involvement.
Involvement of Parents and Sponsors
Parents and sponsors are invited to an introductory meeting held at the beginning of the process and are encouraged to attend as frequently as possible. Parents and sponsors are also required to participate in the Diocesan Vocation Reflection Day.
Enabling Candidates to make an informed decision
The Candidates are interviewed midway and again at the conclusion of the program. This enables the interviewer and the candidate to recognize areas of growth and understanding and the areas where the candidate may still be searching for answers about their faith and the Catholic Church. Those interviewing are to ask about candidates anticipated vocation. Those who express an interest in the priesthood or religious noted and referred on to Fr. Corel. Guidance is offered, as well as opportunities for questioning, prayer and reflection and further conversation with one of our priests.
Candidates are also asked to write a letter to the Bishop expressing their desire for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Guidance is given in terms of style, how to address the Bishop, and the form of the letter.
The program provided should give the Candidates an overview of the Roman Catholic Church, her teachings and examples of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This opportunity will enable the Candidates to make an informed decision about becoming a confirmed and practicing Roman Catholic.
Confirmation 2011-12
Tentative Schedule
Sessions will be held in the Chancery unless otherwise designated.
Sponsors and Parents are invited to all sessions.
Continental breakfast at 9:00 a.m. – Session begins at 9:15 a.m. till 10:45 a.m.
July Send in Program, Vocation Day with Bishop & Registration to Chancery
August
6 - Bulletin Announcement begins
September
Undercroft 11 – Confirmation Sunday
10:15 -10:45 a.m. - UNDERCROFT
Registration-- Pictures – Orientation –
11 a.m. Mass – (Introduce Candidates)
25 - “What It Means To Be Catholic: Mission & Ministry”
October
9 - “The Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit” – Spencer Allen
30 - “Church: A Building, An Organization, The Body of Christ”
(Parishioners visit with candidates)
November
6 - “Prayer In The Life Of A Catholic”
Undercroft 13- Parish Bazaar – Candidates will work a two-hour shift on carry-out
27- “Jesus’ Call In My Life” -- Dorothy & Rudy Lemke (Cancelled)
December
4- “The Sacraments: Signs of His Grace”
18 - Interviews
Discussion about selection of a sponsor
January (Candidates should be talking with their parents or sponsor after each session using the questions about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit).
8- “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Decision Making as young Catholics”
22 - “Decision Making as young Catholics”
February
5- “The Gift of Knowledge” “The Gift of Wisdom”
26- “The Gift of Understanding” “The Gift of Judgment”
Parents Meeting about Day of Retreat/Bishops Day of Reflection/Practice for
Confirmation/Confirmation
March
Cathedral 11- Diocesan Confirmation Day of Reflection (Bishop Gaydos) – 12:30 p.m. till 6:00 p.m
Saturday 24- 10:00 a.m. till 6:30 p.m. Day of Retreat – Chancery
April
1- Interviews
Letter to the Bishop
Complete forms, sponsor, name
Questions about Confirmation
May
Cathedral - 7:00 p.m. Practice for Confirmation
Cathedral - Confirmation (7:00 p.m.)
David Lankford
Director
1911 W. Main
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-635-9454 jdlank@centurylink.net |