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| For the latest information go to Religious Education on the main Menu or click here. | ||
| Traditionally, young adults are prepared for the Sacrament of Confirmation in grades 9 and 10. This is a two-year process in which the candidates are encouraged to participate in class discussion groups, service projects and retreat experiences. Candidates must choose a sponsor to accompany them on this two-year journey of faith. The sponsor must be an adult who is a practicing Catholic, who has been Confirmed, and who will serve as a model of living the Christian faith. A team of adults and youth facilitators works with the candidates. If you have any questions about the program or if you are interested in assisting, please call the rectory at 568-5272. | ||
Candidates' Requirements: |
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| Meetings: Two year program | ||
| Classes meet every other week September-May | ||
| Choose a sponsor. This is a time in your spiritual development for you to mature in your faith and to begin making important religious decisions for yourself. Consider choosing a person that lives the spirit, as you would like to live the spirit. He/she should be someone who is over 18, is someone that you trust and respect, and is in good standing with the Church (married, single, or engaged-but not cohabitating). This person will attend a few meetings with you as you prepare for your Confirmation. He/she will be by your side as you are confirmed by the Bishop. You are encouraged to choose a friend or a relative who will be part of your life for more than just a few meetings. Invite him/her early to be part of the process. Let them know ahead of meeting dates. | ||
| Service projects with accompanying write-ups. The adult team leaders will help with suggestions. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities in the community including assisting with tutoring, nursing homes, food pantry, soup kitchen, hospital visits, Special Olympics, environmental projects, and such. Use your interests and your talents to help in your community. These projects will hopefully provide a valuable experience that will extend beyond your Confirmation preparation into your adult life. | ||
| Make A Difference Day http://www.usaweekend.com(Try the "Idea Generator" link.) |
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Youth Service America http://www.ysa.org/ |
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| Choosing a Confirmation name. A name identifies you in a unique
way, not just your physical self, but who you are as person. One of
the traditional practices in the Church at the time of Confirmation
is choosing a name that will remind you of this sacrament. Your prayerful
reflection will help you determine that name. You might want to recommit
yourself to your Baptismal name since it expresses the relationship
that exists between these two sacraments, especially after you reflect
on its meaning and discover some of the people who shared your name
in Christian history. You might want to choose the name of a saint
who represents the type of Christian you wish to be. It is important
to learn as much as you can about your patron saint. After all, you
are asking this saint to be your friend and advocate for the rest
of your life. Whether you decide to stay with your Baptismal name
or pick a new name, take the time to research and explore the root
meaning of the name, for as Scripture says "Yahweh calls each of us
by name." (Above excerpt is adapted with permission from http://www.christ-the-king-parish.org/name.htm) |
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| Catholic Online-Saints http://www.catholic.org/saints/ |
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Patron Saints Index http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/indexsnt.htm |
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Catholic Information Network - Catholic Saint Links http://www.cin.org/saintlink.html |
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| Participate in a Retreat. You will join youth from a variety of local parishes who gather to participate in activities to strengthen spirit and faith. | ||
| A letter to the Bishop. You will write a letter to the Bishop explaining why you want to be Confirmed and what you have done to prepare yourself for this sacrament. Your letter may include an introduction of yourself, why you would like to be confirmed, what service projects you were involved in and why, what Confirmation name you chose and what led you to that choice, what you have learned about your faith, and how you hope to live your faith after Confirmation. This gives you an opportunity to be thoughtful of your decision and it gives the Bishop a bit of insight into you as a person of faith. | ||
| Renewal of Baptismal Vows When we were baptized, someone else made the Baptismal vows for us. Now, as a young adult, the Baptismal promises are renewed by one's own choice. The candidates are asked to respond as a group to the following questions: | ||
V. Do you reject Satan? R.I do. |
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V. And all his works? R. I do. |
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V. And all his empty promises? R. I do |
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V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth? R. I do. |
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V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? R.I do. |
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V.Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? R. I do. |
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V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? R. Amen. |
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The Nicene Creed |
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| The Nicene Creed summarizes the core of our Catholic beliefs. Now is a great time to pay attention to what each line really means to you as you practice your faith with new intention. | ||
| We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. | ||
| We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten
of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten,
not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: (Bow) by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. |
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| For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. | ||
| We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. | ||
PRAYERGod of mercy, You wash away our sins in water, You give us a new birth in the Spirit, and redeem us in the blood of Christ. As we celebrate Christ's resurrection, increase our awareness of these blessings, and renew Your gift of life within us. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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U.S. Catholic Bishops-Catechism of the Catholic Church-Confirmation http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism |
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Questions and Answers about Confirmation http://www.daughtersofstpaul.com |
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| Office of the Youth Ministry-Diocese of Providence http://www.ymcyoprov.org |
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