The Sacrament of Confirmation

1. The Sacrament of Confirmation Parent Meeting

2. Prayer for Confirmation Candidates God of all ages, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent. Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice. Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfillment the good work that You have begun in them. As I prepare my child for Confirmation, make me an instrument of Your love. Teach me to reverence what is holy in others, and to be patient with what I do not understand. Deepen my faith in the Gospel and help me to pass it on by my example. I pray that You will continue to guide me and sustain me. We praise you through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3. Agenda • Dialogue and Reflection • The Sacraments of Initiation • Christ’s Promise to Send an Advocate • Confirmation • Video Presentation – Confirmation 101 • The Role of Parents • Important Dates • Parish / School Preparation • Sponsors • Questions and Answers

4. Reflection Questions for Parents • What do you value about St. Patrick Parish? • How would you describe what Confirmation is?  • If you have received Confirmation, what was your experience like?  • What are your hopes for your son or daughter in preparing for and receiving the sacrament of Confirmation?  

5. Baptism and Confirmation with the Holy Eucharist are the: Sacraments of Initiation

6. Confirmation is the sacrament of initiation that celebrates God’s gift of the seal of the Holy Spirit. • This sacrament marks our total belonging to Christ and expresses our commitment inGod’s service forever. • The anointing with the Spirit highlights the name “Christian” which means “anointed.” • Under the guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit we can become activefollowers of Jesus. • Confirmation can be seen as an extension of Pentecost and, therefore,completes our Baptism.

7. All Sacraments are recognized by symbol and word: Baptism – Water “I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” Eucharist – Bread and Wine “This is my body… this is my blood.” Confirmation – Oil of Chrism “Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.”

8. Confirmation Jesus promised the apostles that he would give them the courage they needed to face any fears about serving him. Acts 1:8 The Ascension of our Lord You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Acts 2: 1-4 Pentecost When the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability.

9. The Holy Spirit is given in both Baptism and Confirmation. The function of the Holy Spirit is different in each sacrament. In Confirmation we receive a deepening of the Spirit’s special gifts. These gifts help us share our faith with others. The word Confirmation means “strengthening”. The Holy Spirit comes and strengthens those gifts we received at baptism.

10. Video Presentation

11. At Baptism, we are made members of Christ’s body. At Confirmation, we are given the power of God to bear fruit in our Christian life, to speak boldly, act in our faith and draw others to Christ.

12. The Role of Parents • Parents are the primary educators of their children. • Pray about preparing your child for Confirmation, asking God for direction and assistance. • Commit or re-commit to participation at the weekly Sunday Eucharist. • Pray as a family • Use the resources to assist you in discussing your child’s preparation for Confirmation.

13. Important Dates for Confirmation Grade 7 Parent MeetingTuesday, February 4th Confirmation Retreat Thursday, April 3rd (Ascension) Friday, April 4th (St. Patrick) Location: St. Joseph Motherhouse, Dundas Reconciliation for Confirmation Saturday, May 3, 2014 10:30 am. Enrolment & Witness Sunday Sunday, May 11th 11:00 a.m. Mass Rehearsal for Confirmation Ascension Thursday, May 22 1:30 pm. St. Patrick Friday, May 23 9:45 am. Confirmation The Most Reverned Daniel Joseph Miehmwill be conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation. Saturday, May 24thAscension 3:00 pm. St. Patrick 5:00 pm.

14. Confirmation Preparation Program The preparation for Confirmation will begin in February. Preparation for Confirmation will be a joint undertaking by the parish and the school. The program, Confirmed in the Spirit will be used as the guide for the topics to be covered according to the following plan: • Chapter One Confirmed in the Spirit Parish • Chapter Two Confirmed in Discipleship Parish • Chapter Three Confirmed in Faith School • Chapter Four Confirmed in Love School • Chapter Five Confirmed in Holiness School • Chapter Six Confirmed in the Church Parish • Chapter Seven Confirmed in Grace Parish • Chapter Eight Confirmed in Witness School

15. Confirmation Sponsors See handout

16. Questions

17. Concluding Prayer Loving God, Pour out your blessing Upon our beloved children, That during this time of Sacramental preparation They may grow closer to you, And come to know your special love for them. May this time of preparation be a time of blessing For our families and our community, And unite us all in your great love. Amen.