Background Notes for Parents and Carers

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

A Sacrament is a celebration of God’s gift of friendship with Jesus and with the parish community. There are seven Sacraments which celebrate special events in our lives – Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination and Anointing of the Sick. Through the Sacraments, the Holy Spirit helps us to grow closer to God in love Confirmation strengthens or ‘confirms’ the baptised person’s relationship with God and the Church. In England and Wales, many people are baptised when they are babies and confirmed when they are older. It is usual for Confirmation to be celebrated within a parish Mass, in which case it comes after the Liturgy of the Word and before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. It is usually a Bishop who is one of the successors of the Apostles who confirms.

A person who chooses to be confirmed (the candidate) is promising to live as a Christian and follow the teaching of Jesus. They do this with the help of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised to send and who they receive through the sacrament. Sometimes people choose a Confirmation name, most often the name of a saint whose example of living God’s way they respect.

The Sponsor

Normally every candidate for confirmation should have a sponsor, who has a symbolic role during the celebration. The sponsor represents the parish community and supports the person being confirmed. It is the sponsor who brings the candidate to receive the sacrament, and who presents him/her to the Bishop for anointing. Ideally the sponsor should be the same person who was godparent at baptism. This would express the essential relationship between baptism and confirmation.

This is a full description of the celebration of Confirmation, the children will use a shorter version.

GATHERING

Those to be confirmed, along with their family, friends, sponsors and the parish family gather for a Mass of celebration. The gathering hymn is often a prayer to the Holy Spirit.

The Bishop welcomes everyone. He wears a mitre and carries a crozier, a long staff curved at the top like a shepherd’s crook. This symbolises his role of caring for all the people in his diocese as a good shepherd cares for the whole flock.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

The readings from Scripture are chosen to remind all those present of the gifts the Holy Spirit brings to God’s Church. They may speak of wisdom, open-mindedness, discipleship, strength, hope and the role of the Holy Spirit to help Christians remember all that Jesus taught.

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

After the Gospel, the candidates are presented to the Bishop because he is the head of the Local Church and the gathered community. Each candidate stands when his or her name is called.

HOMILY

We have a homily so that the celebrant can explain the readings: within this celebration, it should also lead the candidates and the whole assembly to a deeper understanding of the meaning of confirmation. The Bishop, in his homily, usually addresses the candidates directly on this important day in their lives. For the candidates, the homily should also be a reminder of the implications of being confirmed:

To be witnesses before the whole world to Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection.

To live a life that reflects the goodness of Christ.

To use the gifts that the Spirit gives them for building up Christ’s body, the Church, in unity and love.

He may remind them of the day of Pentecost when the apostles received the Holy Spirit as Jesus had promised.

RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES

After the homily all who have been baptised renew the promises made at baptism. This expresses the link between baptism and confirmation. If those being confirmed were baptised as children, these promises will have been made on their behalf by their sponsors. Now they publicly accept their baptism and all that it signifies: accepting the love of God shown in baptism; accepting the implications of following Christ, and showing the same openness as he himself did to the Spirit in their lives.

LAYING ON OF HANDS

The candidates are called forward together. The Bishop, often joined by the priests present, extends his hands over them. He prays that the Holy Spirit will strengthen them with special gifts. This is a very ancient, symbolic gesture going back into the Old Testament times. The promised gifts of the Holy Spirit are now given to the candidates through the sacrament: Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgement (Counsel), Courage (Fortitude), Knowledge, Reverence (Piety), Awe and Wonder (Fear of the Lord).

ANOINTING WITH CHRISM

Then the candidates are presented individually to the Bishop by the parish priest and their sponsor. The priest and their sponsors represent the community which has introduced the candidate into the life of faith of the Church. Each candidate goes to the Bishop. The sponsor places his or her right hand on the candidate’s shoulder and gives the candidate’s newly chosen name to the Bishop. The Bishop dips his right thumb in the chrism and makes the sign of the cross on the candidate’s forehead saying, “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

He or she responds, “Amen.”

The Oil of Chrism, a mixture of oil and balsam is used to anoint Christians at Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders (becoming a priest, deacon or Bishop). It is a sign of being called and marked out for God’s Service. The cross is a sign of a follower of Jesus.

This part of the rite is completed with the exchange of the sign of peace

The Bishop says, “Peace be with you” and touches the candidate on the cheek.

The newly confirmed reply, “And with your Spirit.”

Confirmation can be seen as a ‘strengthening a Christian to be a ‘soldier’ of Christ. The gesture of the tap on the cheek can be seen as meaning that the confirmed should be prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ and his gospel.

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS OR PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

When the anointing of all the candidates is completed, all stand and the Bishop invites the assembly to pray for those who have been confirmed, their parents, godparents and sponsors, for the Church throughout the world and for the entire human family.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

The Mass continues in its usual pattern. As previously stated, full Christian initiation (or belonging) reaches its culmination in the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Participation in the Eucharist completes the candidate’s Christian initiation.

Key Vocabulary YEAR 4Called

CONFIRMATIONchosenresponseSacrament of Confirmationoil of ChrismmitrecroziersponsorcatechistbishopHoly SpiritwitnessanointingHoly TrinityEnkindlecalled

Overview

Through Baptism and Confirmation people are given the gift of the Holy Spirit and are called to respond in their lives.

Children will know and understand:

• The response to being chosen

• Confirmation: a call to witness

See the Background Notes for Parents and Carers

Week 1: Lesson 1 Think about times when you’ve been chosen – for a team, or a special job. Read ‘Abigail and Ben are chosen’. List the times you have been chosen and your response. Lesson 2 Read the ‘Call of Samuel’ and the ‘Call of David’ from the Old Testament telling how God called those he had chosen to do his work. Write a diary account as David.

Week 2: Lesson 1 Read the story of how Jesus chose his Apostles. Imagine their thoughts, hopes and fears. Lesson 2 Explore the Sacrament of Confirmation and how it strengthens the baptised Christian in their faith. Design a service booklet with suggestions for hymns and scripture readings

Week 3: Lesson 1 The gift of the Holy Spirit which is received in the Sacrament of Confirmation is a spiritual sign of becoming more like Christ. Those confirmed choose to become active members of the Church. Make a prayer card of Come Holy Spirit with appropriate symbols. Lesson 2 The Holy Spirit can lead us into the light of Christ and guide us along life’s path. When someone is confirmed, they promise to turn away from what is wrong and follow in God’s light. Describe ways in which you can live in God’s light.

Week 4: Lesson 1 Having read the passage from St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and the story of the life of Sean Devereux make links between them.Lesson 2 Look at the key vocabulary for this topic and use it to remember all we have learnt about being chosen. Celebrate with a simple Act of Worship.

Year 4

As the sacramental preparation class will have covered Reconciliation in the Autumn term the summer sacramental topic is Confirmation. There is a PowerPoint on the Diocesan Education Department website explaining Confirmation

Week 1:

Lesson 1 Explain that everyone is chosen at some time or another. People are chosen for different things at different times and people are chosen for different reasons. Another way of explaining this is that people are called to help or contribute in a special way. Read ‘Abigail and Ben are chosen’ (see below). Think about times you have been chosen or called on for something. Make a list showing what happened, how you felt, any difficulties you had in accepting it, your response and the reasons for it.

Lesson 2 In the Old Testament we hear stories of how God called those he had chosen to do his work. Read the ‘Call of Samuel’ and the ‘Call of David’ (see below). God does not choose people for the same reasons as we might. God looks at the heart and not at the outer appearance.Imagine that you are David. Write a diary account of how you were called from the fields and told by Samuel that God had chosen you to be the next king. Say how it felt to be chosen and give some reasons for the changes that would happen in your life.

Week 2:

Lesson 1 In the New Testament Jesus chose twelve men to be his Apostles to tell everyone the Good News of God’s love. Read ‘Come Follow Me’ (see below). Imagine the meeting of the apostles with Jesus. List what would be their thoughts, hopes and fears about becoming Jesus’ chosen helpers using the grid below.

Lesson 2 A Sacrament is a celebration of God’s gift of friendship with Jesus and with the parish community. There are seven Sacraments which celebrate special events in our lives. Through the Sacraments, the Holy Spirit helps us to grow closer to God in love. The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens the baptised Christian in their faith. It is usually celebrated by a Bishop who is one of the successors of the Apostles and so has power to confirm people. Read ‘What happens at a Confirmation’ (see below) or if possible look at the PowerPoint. Design a service booklet for the Sacrament using the description and the photographs. Add some suggestions for hymns and scripture readings.

Week 3:

Lesson 1 Many people are baptised when they are babies. They will then usually be confirmed when they are older. At the celebration of Confirmation, each person is called by name and invited to come to the front of the church. The bishop explains the readings to them and helps them to understand what Confirmation means. He says something like this:‘On the day of Pentecost, the apostles received the Holy Spirit as the Lord had promised. They also received the power of giving the Holy Spirit to others and so completing the work of Baptism.’ The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with the love of God, providing us with the strength to be and act as followers of God.

The gift of the Holy Spirit which is received in the Sacrament of Confirmation is a spiritual sign of becoming more like Christ. Through the Sacrament of Baptism, the baptised share the life of Christ and in Confirmation the power of his Spirit is received, signified by the Sign of the Cross made with Chrism. The goodness of Christ should always be seen in the actions and way of life of a confirmed person. In Confirmation they choose to become active members of the Church, their lives are given completely to the service of all, as Christ’s was. There is a special prayer to the Holy Spirit below.

Using the prayer to the Holy Spirit below, design a prayer card decorated with symbols of the Holy Spirit (dove, flames, wind).to be given to candidates as a memento and as a reminder of how to live their Christian lives

Lesson 2 The Holy Spirit is the powerful friend whom Jesus promised would help and support us after he had returned to his Father. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is the “friend” that Jesus talked about before he died. Christians believe that the power of the Holy Spirit can help us in our struggle between choosing right and wrong. The Holy Spirit can lead us into the light of Christ and guide us along life’s path.When people are baptised and confirmed, they promise or someone promises for them, to turn away from what is wrong and follow in God’s light. Read John’s advice to the Christian family (below).Using John’s advice, describe ways in which you can live in the light, giving reasons for your actions.

Week 4:Lesson 1 Read the passage 1 Corinthians 12:31: 13:1-8 below. Highlight the positive and negative feelings and actions. Discuss how love makes a difference in how we act towards people.

Read the story of Sean Devereux (below).If you have access to the internet research and explore more about the life of Sean Devereux, linking his life to the reading from Corinthians. (If you don’t have internet access use the passage below) Write a description of how Sean lived out that passage

Lesson 2 Look at the key vocabulary for this topic and use it to remember all we have learnt about being chosen, the call of Samuel and David, the call of the Apostles and the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Holy Spirit, John’s advice and the story of Sean Devereux.Celebrate with a simple Act of Worship (see below).

Week 1 Lesson 1 Abigail and Benjamin are chosen

Emma was marrying Daniel in the summer. It would be a big day, for both of them. They wanted everything to go well and for everyone to share their happiness. They were getting married at St Anthony’s church. Father Melly was going to celebrate the wedding. Emma wondered who to ask to be her bridesmaid and page. She talked to Daniel about it and they decided it would be good to choose Benjamin and his sister Abigail, because they were Daniel’s young cousins and they had never been a bridesmaid and page before and they were two lovely children. Emma’s cousin had been a bridesmaid when her elder sister got married. Emma and Daniel spoke to the children’s parents and asked if would be alright to ask them. They were pleased that their children had been chosen.

Emma and Daniel took Benjamin and Abigail bowling and for a meal. Then they explained to them that they had chosen them to help at their wedding by being bridesmaid and page. Benjamin was very excited and pleased and said ‘Yes’ immediately, but then he asked what he would have to wear. He said he did not want to wear a kilt like his friend had worn. Emma and Daniel reassured him that he would not have to wear anything too strange, just a smart suit, a bowtie and shiny shoes. Benjamin was happy about that and tucked into more pizza.

Abigail had not said anything. She just looked worried. Emma asked her how she felt about being a bridesmaid. She said she wasn’t sure, but she thought Emma ought to choose someone else. Emma took Abigail to get more salad and when she was by herself asked her what was wrong. Abigail was nearly crying. She did not really want to tell Emma, but Emma spoke very gently to her so she told her. Abigail explained that, because she wore glasses she thought she was not pretty enough and she was always getting into trouble for dropping things. Emma laughed in a kindly way, and asked her to look at her and say what she noticed. Abigail said she thought she was a kind and a pretty person. Emma pointed to her glasses and reminded Abigail that she, too, wore glasses and she would be wearing them at the wedding otherwise she would not be able to see. She reassured Abigail that the only thing she might drop would be her flowers and they would not break. Emma told her that prettiness is inside you, not outside, and that a smile is the only thing any face needs to be lovely. Abigail laughed, gave Emma a hug and said she would love to be her bridesmaid.

Emma and Daniel’s wedding was a very happy day. Abigail and Benjamin were both pleased to have been chosen to be there and their parents were very proud of them.

Q Why were Abigail and Benjamin chosen?

Q What do you think of their different responses to being chosen?

Q Have you ever been chosen for something and said yes immediately? What were your reasons for saying yes?

Q Have you ever been chosen or called on for something and refused? What were your reasons?

Q Why is it difficult to make a response in some situations?

Q Do you sometimes have to give up something when you are chosen? For example. if you are chosen for a sports team you may have to give up time for practices and matches.

Week 1 Lesson 2 Call of Samuel

Week 1 Lesson 2 The Call of David

Q In what ways were the call of Samuel and the call of David different?Q How do you think Samuel felt when he realised who was calling him?Q How did he respond?Q How did Samuel know that he was to choose David from among the eight sons of

Jesse?Q How did God show that he had heard the response of Samuel and David?HQ How do you think David felt about God choosing him?

Week 2 Lesson 1 Come Follow Me

Q What do you think Jesus thought when he saw Andrew and Simon fishing?Q Did they have a task to fulfil or were they just friends?Q What do you think Andrew, Simon, James or John felt when Jesus called them?Q What was their response?Q What would your response be if you were one of them? Q How do you think it changed their lives?Q Do you think that Jesus still calls people to help and how?

Week 2 Lesson 1 Imagine the calling of the Apostles. What are their thoughts, hopes and fears about becoming Jesus’ chosen helpers?

Thoughts Hopes Fears

Week 2 Lesson 2 What happens at Confirmation?

Week 2 Lesson 2 continued

Week 3 Lesson 1

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.And kindle in them the fire of your love.Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.And you will renew the face of the earth.Let us prayO God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit,did instruct the hearts of your faithful,grant that by that same Holy Spirit,we may be truly wise, and ever rejoice in your consolation,Through Christ our Lord.Amen.

Q What gift do people receive at Confirmation? Q What is Confirmation asking of people?Q How do you think people can be active members of the Church?Q In what ways can people give their lives to serve others? Q How does God ensure that we have the help we need?Q What does this gift enable people to be and to do?

Week 3 Lesson 2

Q What do you know about the Holy Spirit.Q Can you remember the experience of the apostles at Pentecost – the strength and power of

the wind and fire, and its transforming effect on the apostles?Q What happens to people when there is a power cut at night and what is it like when the

light comes back?Q What do you think ‘living in the light of Jesus’ means? Give some examples?Q What happens when we turn away from God’s light? Q How might the Holy Spirit help us?

Week 4 Lesson 1

Sean Devereux wanted to help others so he volunteered to go to Liberia in West Africa to work in a school. Sean knew that Liberia was a dangerous place because there was a war going there. When the war caused the school to close he stayed there helping refugees and those orphaned by the war. Sean was beaten by soldiers as he tried to stop them stealing the food meant for refugees.One day when he went to help a boy being forced to be a soldier he was imprisoned and eventually expelled from the country. So, he went to Somalia, also a dangerous country. Again, he was helping poor people without homes. All the other workers left because it was so dangerous, but Sean said, ‘While my heart beats I have to do what I think I can do, that is help people less fortunate.’One night he was shot and killed. Sean had given up his life helping others as a Christian witness to his faith.(You can find out how his work continues here: https://www.seandevereux.org.uk/ )

Q What do you think is the link between the reading from the first letter to the Corinthians and the life of Sean Devereux?

Q How do you think Sean witnessed to the call to be a Christian?Q Why do you think his life is celebrated? Q Where is Somalia?Q What impressed you most about Sean?Q Why do you think he stayed there, even though he knew the dangers?Q In what ways did he live out his Confirmation?

QDo you think everyone is called to do the same sort of things as he did?

Week 4 Lesson 2

Act of Worship‘CALLED’

Year 4 Confirmation – a call to witness

You might like to set up a focal table: Table, cloth and candleSmall bowl of waterBible if possiblePictures and symbols of ConfirmationHoly Spirit prayercardAny other work the children have done on ‘Called’

The sign of the cross is a witness to others that we believe that Jesus died for us on the cross and that we believe in God who is Father, Son and Spirit. So – let’s witness to this faith as we gather together:

All: In the name of the Father,and of the Son,and of the Holy Spirit,Amen.

As we light our candle, let’s remember that Jesus is present here with us.

In our topic, ‘Called’ we have learned that everyone is chosen or called at some time or another. We are chosen for different things, at different times and for different reasons. But we are all called to help or contribute in some way at various times.

We have also learned how in the Sacrament of Confirmation candidates are called by name and choose to become active members of the Church. They are called to give their lives completely to the service of all, as Christ did, to share the good news and to give witness to their faith.

When God chooses people to do a special work He doesn’t always choose them for the same reasons we might. Sometimes it is the least likely people that God chooses. But whenever God calls and chooses someone for a special task, God always blesses them.

Let us welcome the Gospel {Alleluia is sung}

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to MarkGlory to You, O Lord.

{The ‘Sign of the Cross’ is made on the head, lips and heart that we may think like Jesus, speak like Jesus and love like Jesus}

Gathering

The Wordof God

‘As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother, Andrew, catching fish with a net. Jesus said to them, “Come with me and I will teach you to catch people”. At once they left their nets and went with him.

He went a little further on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat getting their nets ready. As soon as Jesus saw them, he called them and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus.

The Gospel of the Lord.Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Everyone is called to be an apostle, to be a follower of Jesus. Tobe a follower of Jesus is to try to live and love like Jesus.

Pause for a moment to ask yourself what you will do today to try and live like Jesus.

{Short pause for thought}

The ‘Sign of the Cross’ is the sign of the followers of Jesus. When Christians or those called by Jesus to be his followers are baptised, the sign of the cross is made on their forehead. If you would like to you can dip your fingers in the water and make the sign of the cross. This will remind you that you are called to be a follower of Jesus and to witness to the good news of God’s love. Just sit quietly for a moment and ask Jesus to help you to live like him and do this special work he has called you to do.

{Some appropriate reflective music can be played here}

Let us go now to love and serve the Lord.Thanks be to God.

Response to the Word

Going Forth