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- The sacrament of Confirmation, like all the sacraments, is rooted in faith. That means that those who are engaged in the preparation process must have a desire to be there and to receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the near future.
- Those choosing to prepare to receive the sacrament of Confirmation are people who gather weekly for Eucharist. Therefore, all of the candidates are expected to attend Mass on all Sundays. It would be best if they attended the 1 pm Mass as the sessions start at the end of that Mass. If the candidate does not attend Mass at St. Bartholomew's church, then the candidate must obtain a bulletin from the church that they attend and it must be signed each of the Sundays by one of the priests at that parish to show that the candidate did attend Mass.
- The candidates will attend all sessions and participate actively through discussion, listening and prayer. All of the candidates must also attend the Rally and the Retreat which is on the outline of the program. Only one absence will be allowed and there must be a good reason for not attending.
- Each candidate will be given a copy of the Candidate's Journal which accompanies this program. The candidate will be expected to participate in and complete all of the activities. There are also newsletters and activities to be completed with the parents following each session.
- The candidates must understand that service to others is an important part of living as a confirmed Catholic. The prayer of St. Theresa says:
- Christ has no body now but yours.
- No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
- Yours are the eyes with which He looks with compassion on this world.
- Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good.
- Yours are the arms with which He blesses all the world.
- Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, you are His eyes, you are His body.
- Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
If we are to be the Body of Christ for one another and for the world, we need to realize the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The celebration of Confirmation is the beginning of fuller involvement in the life of the parish and the larger community.
Therefore, there will also be 40 hours of scheduled service time. The retreat and the rally will count for 12 hours. 28 additional hours will be scheduled by the facilitators. The candidates will be advised of the times and places in their meetings.
The parish community has an essential role in the preparation, support and celebration that surrounds this sacrament.
- Immediate preparation for Confirmation is the responsibility of the local parish for candidates regardless of whether they attend Catholic, public and private schools.
- The pastor and the group facilitators must respect a young person's decision to be confirmed at this time or later.
- Families, parishes and Catholic schools are intimate partners in the religious education of young people.
- The parents will support their children in their preparation for Confirmation by praying at home, worshiping on Sunday as a family and taking an active interest in the preparation program.
- There is a genuine sign that a family is ready to journey with the young person in regular and active participation in the weekly Sunday Mass.
- The parents will recognize that the Church extends the invitation to prepare for the celebration of Confirmation every year and that they will respect a young person's decision to be confirmed at this time or later.
- Each person seeking to celebrate Confirmation is to be accompanied by a sponsor. Whenever possible, the sponsor chosen is to be the one who undertook this role at Baptism. Choosing the godparents reinforces the intimate connection between Baptism and Confirmation.
- Sponsors are models of faith for a candidate. Therefore, a sponsor for Confirmation is a Catholic who has already received Confirmation, is practicing his/her faith and is mature enough (usually 16 years or older) to carry out the role of sponsor. A sponsor can be either male or female. A parent may not be a sponsor for his or her child.
- The role of a sponsor is not an honorary or token role. The sponsor is to be a vibrant, authentic role model for the candidate before and after the celebration of Confirmation. Choosing someone whom the candidate sees regularly will assist the sponsor in being in an active part of the young person's life. The sponsor is to assist the newly confirmed in living the life of an active Catholic Christian.
- The sponsor does not act only on his/her own behalf in this responsibility. By your care and example for the candidate, you also symbolize and represent the care and support of the larger Christian community.
- The sponsor should arrange to spend time on a regular basis with his/her candidate. We invite the sponsor to talk to the candidate about his/her experience during the ongoing program. Ask them what they talked about, what they learned and how they felt about it.
- The sponsor is invited, not only to the Confirmation, but also to the Rite of Enrolment, at which time the candidates will state their willingness to be confirmed and where the parish will commit to assist them by prayer and example.
- The sponsors should pray for their candidate.
- If the sponsor is not a member of this parish, he/she should attend church with the candidate a couple of times before the celebration of Confirmation.
- The sponsor should attend a celebration of Reconciliation with the candidate, especially during Lent.
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Young people from around the world will gather in Madrid Spain, summer 2011, to celebrate Jesus Christ.
Read more about WYD 2011>
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Visit our youth group section to find out information all about youth groups and youth ministry programs.
Visit our youth group section> |
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LIFE TEEN is an international Catholic movement that serves the Church by providing resources and faith experiences that help lead teens closer to Christ. This is accomplished through a vibrant Eucharistic spirituality and by creating widespread opportunities for teens to grow in their faith.
Visit Life Teen> |
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