Welcome to the 2018-19 Confirmation Orientation!

What is Confirmation?

Is it…-a rite of passage? -a cultural tradition? -graduation?-choosing my faith?

Confirmation is a sacramental outpouring of the Holy Spirit that leaves

a permanent imprint on the soul, completes Christian initiation, and

empowers us to be witnesses to Christ

-see CCC 1302-1305

Confirmation is all about the fact that you are

CHOSEN by God!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrgySsit-uY

How do I prepare?

-Pray! -Go to Mass every Sunday -Go to Confession regularly-Get involved in the parish community-High School Youth Ministry! -Talk about your faith and ask questions-Attend Confirmation sessions

AMPLIFYHigh School

Youth MinistrySunday Nights, 7:00pm-8:30pm

This semester- All about QUESTIONS

Tijuana Flats- once a month

All are welcome- bring a friend!

Class Details

- 9 Sunday Sessions (4:15-5:45, Bethany & Cana Upstairs)

- Amazing leaders! - Small groups

Each Class, you can expect to find…

-A community where you belong-Thought-provoking teachings and videos-Time to reflect, express your thoughts, and ask questions-Fun opportunities to connect with others

-An Encounter with Jesus Christ

New this year- Cliffton Strengths- Strengths-based assessment, used by over

19 million people across the world! - Discover the unique person that God has

created YOU to be! - Learn to use your gifts and talents to live the

life He is calling YOU to live!

Cliffton Strengths-We will have access codes to distribute by the first class (Sept. 16)-Plan to complete ASAP (by Sept. 19) - Only take the assessment once- Parents, if you are interested in taking this assessment, I can provide you with an adult access code for $20

September 30 Class

-Don’t miss it! -Led by Dennis Johnson, certified Strengths coach and national retreat leader-All about understanding your strengths and how to use them!

Policies

-No cell phones -No switching small groups-Small groups are randomly assigned-Be on time-Be respectful at all times-Pay attention

Other Required

Events

177 Project Concert and

AdorationSaturday, Oct. 13, 6:45-9:00pm

Josh Blakesley Band!

Invite friends and family!

Tickets are free, but required for admittance

Vocations NightSunday, November 4th

7:00-8:30pm

What is a vocation?

Do I have a vocation? (yes!)

What is my vocation?

Invite friends and family!

Confirmation Retreat

-Saturday, January 19th, 9am-6pm (concludes with 5pm Mass)-Parents are invited to join us for Mass-Led by PJ Anderson!

What if I miss a class?

Make-up policy

-Email Hunter prior to missing class -Make-up instructions will be emailed and on the website-Watch the videos from the class and answer reflection questions-Assignment is due no later than the next class-Miss more than 2 classes- meet with Hunter

Stay in Touch!

Check your emails regularly!

-Flocknote email and messaging system

-Emails from “mail.flocknote.com” or “SMM Confirmation

-LOTS of important information!

Saint Reflection

Paper

“I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth”

- St. Therese of Lisieux

Choose a Confirmation saint as your role model and guide!

- You will have a special relationship with this saint for the rest of your life!

- Start learning about different saints now (I will send you helpful links)

- Ask friends and family

Writing your saint reflection- Due in class Sunday, October 21- At least 250 words - Specific name of your saint (i.e. “St. Thomas

Aquinas”- not just “St. Thomas”) - In your own words: the background of your

saint and why you chose them. - Remember- it is a reflection, not an academic

research paper!

PLEASE Do not

plagiarize!

Community Service- How many hours??

“Catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal

Church as well as the parish community”

- CCC 1309

Do I feel like I belong here? - Complete at least 5 hours of service within a

ministry here at SMM- Submit online or hard copy- Due January 27- Have I found a ministry I enjoy giving my time

and talent to? - Many opportunities! - Cliffton Strengths- use your strengths to serve

and build God’s kingdom!

Parish Service Night- Sept. 29 - Open to everyone! Help make toiletry

kits for a local crisis shelter- Students especially needed for

setting up event, serving dinner, cleaning up, etc.

Parent Sessions

“Parents are the first and most important educators of their own children, and they also possess a

fundamental competence in this area: they are educators because they are

parents.”

- Pope St. John Paul II, Letter to Families

This journey is for you and your child- Our goal is to empower and encourage you as

you raise holy families- Parent sessions run concurrent with student

sessions- How do I apply this material in my family?- Must attend at least 3, encouraged to attend as

many as you can - Parent’s guide- use to start discussions

Choosing a sponsor

Being a sponsor is a serious commitment to guiding and supporting

the Candidates as they prepare for Confirmation as well as assisting them

throughout the rest of their faith journey

Choose someone who will help you along your journey to heaven- Someone whose faith you look up to- Someone you feel comfortable discussing your

faith and life with- Someone who will not let you settle for

mediocrity, but will call you on to greatness

Requirements for sponsors- Must attend at least one class with Candidate (not

parent’s session) - At least 16 years old- Practicing Catholic, leading a life in harmony with

the faith- Fully initiated Catholic- has received Baptism,

Communion, and Confirmation- If married, must be married in the Catholic Church- Parents cannot be sponsors

Paperwork

- If they are an SMM parishioner- fill out their name, etc. on the registration form

- If they are not an SMM parishioner, they must complete the Sponsor Certificate of Eligibility

- Must be signed by their pastor, with church seal- Due no later than Monday, Dec. 10

Paperwork

Youth Ministry Registration Form

- Must be filled out (front and back), regardless of youth group involvement

- Only need to pay the $50 youth ministry fee if you plan to join us for youth ministry meetings separate from Confirmation (highly encouraged!)

Image Release Form

- MUST be filled out- Confirmation Mass will be livestreamed.

Coalition for the Homeless

- Not required, but please fill this out- If your child decides to participate in Coalition at

some point this year, it is much easier if we already have this form on file.

Consent form for Communication

- Must be filled out- Please include accurate contact information for

your student if you would like them to be included in our communications

Parental Opt-Out Form

- Must be filled out (regardless of whether you attend the class)

- Your child is still highly encouraged to attend the Learning about LIFE class.

- We need the opt-out form on file for our records in case they are unable to attend for any reason.

Confirmation Candidate Commitment

- Must be signed by both student and parent - Don’t just sign it, READ it and COMMIT to it! - These are the standards you will be held

accountable for- you CAN do this!

Questions?

Remember...The purpose of this programAnd YOUR LIFEIs TO ENCOUNTER CHRIST AND BE A SAINT!

Turn in Paperwork!-Go to the table with the letters of your last name-Fast Lane- pick up books if you’ve already completed all paperwork-Come see me for further questions