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Saint
Francis Confirmation I & II Program
2001-2002
Oct.
14, 2001
Confirmation I & II---Students and Sponsors (90 min.)
Being Found By God…Ray Vallincourt
Oct 21, 2001
Confirmation I “A Sense of Belonging”
Suggested Path: Start with a prayer.
While taking attendance have the students introduce themselves and tell
the others about some special talent they have. Discuss the year’s
program, an overview of the teaching plan for the year, the speaker’s,
the requirement of attending Sunday Mass, frequent reception of the Holy
Eucharist, regularly receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, strict
attendance policy, and the need to participate in class and in the
apostolic work of the parish. (20 minutes)
In this first session, read page one “No man is an island”. The students should fill in the chart, make sure to add Church to the list, and then discuss. . On page two, read “The Church”, answer the questions, then read “Free to Believe” and discuss. (30 minutes)
Confirmation II “Food for Our Journey”
Suggested
Path: Start with a prayer. While taking attendance have the students
introduce themselves and tell the others about some special talent they
have. Discuss the year’s program, an overview of the teaching plan for
the year, the speaker’s, the requirement of attending Sunday Mass,
frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist, regularly receiving the
Sacrament of Reconciliation, strict attendance policy, and the need to
participate in class and in the apostolic work of the parish. (20
minutes)
Read pages one and two. Have the students discuss the questions on page three. Please make sure they fill out the last page, prior to the discussion. (5 minutes) The discussion should last 35 minutes. (Please note that a few students will be on retreat this week at Saint Basil’s in Methuen)
October 28, 2001
11th Grade
Program
Nov. 4, 2001
Confirmation I ”A Sense of Belonging”
Suggested
Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Choose a student to
continue by reading from John’s Gospel Chapter 13 verses 33-35 Read
the stories on page three and answer questions. The read “choice not
chore” and discuss. Read “A Companion for the Journey,” and then
talk about beginning to look for a sponsor for next year. Read page four
and list the top four choices, and emphasize that the Church always
stands ready to help them.
(50 minutes)
Confirmation II “Baptism/Confirmation-- Our Introduction to the Life of the Church”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Read pages one through three. Present the chapter question, and divide the class into three groups. Each group should huddle together for fifteen minutes to discuss this question – round robin style. (25 minutes) Reassemble the class and ask them to address what members of the group are doing to keep their faith alive. (25 minutes). If you think it would be helpful, you could ask the candidates to take the handout home and complete page four, and return the following week to discuss their findings.
Nov. 11, 2001
Confirmation I & II
Fitting In---Father Bob Monagle
Nov. 18, 2001
Confirmation I “Moments on a Journey”
Suggested
Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Read page one, paragraph
one, and develop a list of routine activities. After reading the second
paragraph list the special events. Read page two and ask how each
candidate is special. Then read “Celebrating” and discuss the seven
sacraments. (25 minutes). Choose one of the candidates to read Luke
Chapter 22 verses 14-20. The read page three “Starting Out”. Discuss
the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation). Have
the candidates volunteer to give individual answers as to why they want
to be confirmed in the faith. Read page four and discuss, with a general
overview discussion of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Confirmation II “We Believe”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer (It is recommended that you use the Nicene Creed on page two). Take attendance. Read page one and turn to page two for a review of the beliefs recited in the Nicene Creed. Remind the candidates that the Creed is a statement of our core beliefs as Catholics, and is the profession of faith they will make before the Bishop on the night they are to be confirmed. If you would like to give the teens a small history on the development of this Creed from the Council Nicea 325AC the religious education office can provide you with a brief summary. A small introduction to the Apostle’s Creed as it relates to the devotion of the rosary would be helpful. (25 minutes)
The second half of the session should be devoted to the Ten Commandments. Please explain to the candidates that these are divinely held truths which come from God, and that they are the standards we adhere to so as to maintain a morally upright life. In short they form us in doing the good and avoiding evil. Supplemental material can be provided for the teacher who would like to design further instruction. It is important to make this material contemporary for the teens so that they understand the validity of seeking to attain these standards. Discussion should be encouraged, as the teens have a good knowledge of these precepts. (25 minutes)
Nov. 25, 2001
11th
Grade Program
Dec. 2, 2001
Confirmation I “Expressions of the Heart”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Read page one, and discuss the use of symbols – perhaps some secular symbols like traffic signs – Hospital – Stop – Curve – or some other similarly popular symbol. Have the students compile a, list of symbols of the Catholic Church, and then symbols of Confirmation. (30 minutes). On page two read “Symbols of Faith Under Attack”. Discuss the three items and answer the questions. (20 minutes)
Confirmation II “We Believe - Continued” and “A Brief History of the Sacrament”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. We are still on last week’s handout. This week the first part of the class will be centered on the Eight Beatitudes. Teachers are encouraged to read the Gospel of Matthew chapters five through seven, to draw up a lesson plan. It will be helpful to give a quick overview of the eight beatitudes, but to focus on three of beatitudes to help the candidates become familiarized with this teaching of Jesus. (25 minutes) You might ask the class to divide into three groups and choose those beatitudes they feel might help them in their personal lives. (10 minutes) The conclusion of the class should be a very brief overview of the History of the Sacrament. Read the page two and three, “The History of Confirmation”. (15 minutes).
Dec. 9, 2001
Confirmation
I & II
Peer Pressure…Father Michael Hobson
Dec. 16, 2001
Confirmation I ”Expressions of the Heart”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Have one of the candidates read Luke Chapter 3 verses 21-22. Then read page three, the “Rite of Confirmation,” and discuss the ceremony of Confirmation. Discuss the symbols and rituals, paying attention to the section “Being Counter cultural”. (35 minutes) Read page four, “What’s in a Name” and “Transforming Symbols.” Together read the prayer together and conclude the session.
Confirmation II “The Sacrament of the Holy Spirit”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. (Please note that a few students will be on retreat this week at Saint Basil’s in Methuen.) A brief explanation of what a Sacrament constitutes will be helpful in preparing for this session. (5 minutes) Review pages one through three, and discuss how the Sacrament of Confirmation is connected to the Sacrament of Baptism. Candidates should be reminded of the special nature of the indelible spiritual mark, which is left on the soul. Please highlight that the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders, unlike the other Sacraments, can be given only be given once. Discuss with the candidates what there expectations are of this Sacrament. How do they feel they may change, spiritually and emotionally, after the Bishop confers this Sacrament upon them? Being empowered fully by the Holy Spirit, what do they imagine they can accomplish in furthering God’s work here on earth? (35 minutes). Provide a brief overview of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Remind the candidates that they should begin writing their letter to the Bishop requesting the Sacrament, with an explanation as to why they want to be Confirmed and the reasons why they chose there sponsor. They will find this session and the next session’s handouts helpful in preparing their letter. The letter will be due by the February 10th session.
Jan. 6, 2002
Confirmation I & II
Teen Depression…Father Tom Nestor (tentative)
Jan. 20, 2002
11th Grade Program
Feb. 3, 2002
Confirmation I ”The Giver of Life”
Suggested
Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Have one of the
candidates read Luke Chapter 11 verse 9-13. Discuss the questions in the
blue box. Ask the candidates what they feel the Church and what God asks
from each of them. Read, page two, “A gift of God Blowing Where it
Will” and discuss. (20 minutes) Present the Seven gifts of the Holy
Spirit, and divide the class into three groups. Each group should huddle
together for fifteen minutes to discuss which gifts they feel they need
the most at this time in their life – round robin style.
(20 minutes) For
the last ten minutes of the session have the groups share what they
prioritized. (10 minutes)
Confirmation II ”Holy Spirit, Bearer of Gifts”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. Start with a review of the December 16th session, with an emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (10 minutes) On page three review, “Why Does the Spirit Give Us These Gifts?” and “Fruits of the Holy Spirit”. Divide the class into three groups and have them prioritize the seven gifts according to those gifts they sense they will draw upon the most. They should also individually make a list of the “Fruits of the Holy Spirit” ranking those “fruits” they most possess to the least. (30 minutes) Have the class regroup and have them discuss how they prioritized the “gifts” (10 minutes) Please remind the students that their letter to Bishop Allue is due at the next session.
Feb. 10, 2002
Confirmation I & II---Students and Sponsors (90 min.)
The Lives we live by—the truth we choose to ignore…Ray Vallincourt
Feb. 24, 2002
11th
Grade Program
Note: Confirmation II (Retreat – St. Basil’s)
March 3, 2002
Confirmation I “The Gospel Challenge”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Read page one and list the favorite activities the candidates have chosen. Please compile a list of the most important reasons given. Read, “A Different Way” and then, “An Old Proverb”, and then ask the candidates why we should help others. (25 minutes) We will have a teen that has gone to Gospel Roads I attend the session, and explain this one-week summer program run by the Office of Youth Ministry. After the candidates have answered the questions as to why they should help others, present the teen leader as one who has had a different experience. Ask the teen to explain the week, and ask them for the highlight of the week and inquire as to any challenges they encountered that week.
Confirmation II “A Sacrament of Christ We Witness”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. As this session focuses on apostolic service we will have a teen that has gone to Gospel Roads I attend the session, and explain this one-week summer program run by the Office of Youth Ministry. Present the teen leader as one who has had a different experience in performing the corporal works of mercy. Ask the teen leader to explain the week, to tell the group the highpoint of the service experience, and to discuss any challenges they encountered that week. (20 minutes). It is important that the teen leader finish within the exact time construct so that they can make the same presentation to the Confirmation I class. Review page two, “ Christian Witness: A Commitment to Do the Work of Jesus.” Review page three, Confirmation and Being of “Service”, select questions from that section and discuss. (25 minutes) Instruct the candidates to review page four at home, as it concerns activities that they will be responsible for undertaking after they are Confirmed. Remind them that your presence, and that of the other teachers, is a serious commitment you have made to fulfill your duty to build up the Church on Earth. Explain to them the rewards of undertaking the Lord’s work. (5 minutes)
March 10, 2002
Confirmation I & II
Dealing with Loss and Goodbyes…Father Wayne Belcher (tentative)
March 17, 2002
Confirmation I “The Gospel Challenge”
Suggested
Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Read, “Sheep or
Goat” and “Called by the Spirit”.
Ask them to explain these articles in light of the Gospel Road
Experience that was presented to them on the 3rd of March by
the teen participant. Ask them how this experience might change them.
Ask how many would likely give up a week of school summer vacation to
answer God’s call to join in this weeklong ministry. Discuss with them
other similar programs that high school and college age students engage
in down in the coal mining towns of Appalachians, the poverty stricken
towns along Mississippi, the Habitat for Humanity Programs undertaken on
the eastern Seaboard. Ask them to imagine what the week would be like,
and then discuss it. What would be the rewards, what might be the
challenges? (30 minutes) List and discuss the corporal works of mercy:
feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked,
shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the
dead. Throw out the first question listed in the “Sheep or Goat”
article and ask each of them to provide an example from their own
experience. What obligations do we have to our neighbor? What corporal
work of mercy have they performed recently?
Confirmation II “Signs and Symbols of the Sacrament of Confirmation”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. Review pages two and three. This information will occupy the majority of the session. You might begin the session by discussing the importance of symbols in our everyday life – present examples and ask the candidates to provide examples. Once you have established the importance of symbols in our everyday life (like the speed limit sign or stop sign on Methuen Street) then move into the lesson plan. (40 minutes) Discuss the symbols we see during Holy Week. (10 minutes)
March 24, 2002
11th Grade Program
March 31, 2002
Easter Sunday
April 7, 2002
Confirmation I “The Journey Continues”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. Take attendance. Read page one, “Looking Back” and discuss the pictures. Talk about the key events in Jesus’ life, particularly in light of last weeks Passion Week observance. The read, “Looking Ahead,” and discuss why we would look back to improve what we will do in the future. Turn to page two and read “Living Boldly”, discuss the picture of Pentecost and ask them how this Feast relates to the Sacrament of Confirmation. You may have to coach them to understanding this feast as the occasion when Christ having Ascended into Heaven fulfills His promise to his apostles and disciples and sends the Holy Spirit down upon them. Discuss the imagery of the fire as it relates to the power of the Holy Spirit and divine light of Christ. Read page three, “In the Spirit” and “Of Hope” and discuss the questions with the candidates. (30 minutes) At 6:30 the teens should be assembled in the lower hall to watch a fifteen-minute tape on the Steubenville East Youth Conference/Summer retreat.
Confirmation II “Celebration of the Rite of Confirmation”
Suggested Path: Start class with prayer. Begin by reviewing page four. Discuss: why they chose their sponsor, what name did they choose – their baptismal name or did they choose a saints name as a special intercessor – why did they make these choices, and do they feel prepared to make this important step towards fuller involvement in the life of the Church on Earth. (25 minutes) Review pages one and two. (25 minutes) Please remind the students of the upcoming practice and remind them that they will pick up their gowns that night.
April 18, 2002
(Thursday 7:00 p.m.)
Confirmation Rehearsal in the lower Church, candidates and sponsors need to attend.
April 20, 2002
11th grade
Program
Thursday Evening, April 25, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Sacrament of Confirmation:
Most Reverend Emilio Simeon Allue,, S.D.B. Auxiliary Bishop of Boston
Candidates should be in lower hall at 6:00 p.m. sharp.