In This Post: Materials from the twelfth Confirmation class session of the year, held on:
- Track B (Q of A Elementary School): split among 8th Grade Religion Classes on Wednesday, December 12 and Thursday, December 13
- Track A (Religious Ed): Monday, December 17, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Also included is Bonus Content for your enrichment and enjoyment.
Session Summary for Catechists
This class helps prepare us for the Confirmation liturgy and gives time for the writing of a personal letter to the bishop. It is also a time to celebrate Christmas with treats and prayers for peace in our world.
Opening Prayer
Responsory for Late Advent (use for Dec. 16 or later, even if only Dec. 12), using slides 8-10 (PDF, 1 page) of the Advent Prayer slideshow (PPS) - files may show 2016 dates still
sing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" while lighting 2-3 candles of the Advent wreath
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzW_PmW-LzE)
Icebreaker: Helping Hands
For what do we use our hands to help others? At each table, write as many uses as you can in 2 (timed) minutes. Share top 3 uses with the large group.
Understanding what we do with our hands will help us understand what will happen at the Confirmation Mass through the Laying on of Hands and Anointing with Oil.
"Who Am I?" Game
Candidates guess who is being described
Presentation: The Bishop and Confirmation
PowerPoint Presentation: PowerPoint online (PPS) | slides only (PDF, 12 pages)
Notes pages for leader (PDF, 23 pages)
Letters to the Bishop
Candidates will each write a letter to Bishop Rojas, personally requesting the sacrament of Confirmation.
Letter Outline with Key Vocabulary (web version formatted on a single page)
Bonus Content Advent: Waiting Why we wait. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcravEG2ATE) |
Closing Prayer
(Source: http://youtu.be/u65m__-LLfs)
"He Came" video reflection and Christmas prayer:
Lord, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for a shining star and the angels' song, for an infant's cry in a lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child, and we thank you for the Son you sent to us to be our Savior and King. We behold his glory, and we are bathed in his radiant light. Be with us through the contradictions of Christmas -- the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made hard fact, the helpless Babe who cracks the world apart. We kneel before you as humble shepherds, reluctant innkeepers, world-weary Magi. Help us to rise bigger than we are, with more hope and faith to help heal our world. Amen.
Homework for Candidates
Service forms are due at the first class in January! Get your 10+ hours done and documented before then.
Latest service brochure * Form for documenting hours
- Only Track B still has these opportunities in their future after this class session:
- Online sign-up for Thursday, December 13, Holiday for Hope Toy Wrapping: wrap gifts for children in need
- Online sign-up Saturday, December 15, Holiday for Hope Christmas Party: volunteer at a Christmas party for children in need; experience with face-painting is especially helpful.
- Sunday, December 16, Decorating the Church for Christmas, Part I: move items from storage and set up Christmas trees and Nativity scene in the church. Meet in the Gathering Space at 3 p.m.
- Add your name to the list for Sunday, December 23, Decorating the Church for Christmas, Part II: place poinsettia flowers and finish decorating for Christmas in the church. Meet in the Gathering Space at 1:30 p.m.
- Monday, December 25, Christmas Dinner at St. Benedict: volunteer at or cook for a Christmas Dinner for the homeless, seniors, and anyone who would otherwise eat alone
- Try serving with the youth of our neighbor parish at St. Benedict Youth Ministry
- Other searchable opportunities if you need to catch up: ChicagoCares.org
- Use the search tools to set dates available for service and age of youth who will be serving. Remember that service hours are due at class on Monday, January 8.
- We strongly recommend that a parent or Sponsor accompanies candidates, and adult accompaniment will be required at most sites accepting volunteers under 16.
Make sure your bishop letter is turned in at the first class in January (if you were given an extension to finish it at home)
Catch up on your journaling and textbook work if you have not been keeping up with it:
-
Journal pp. vi-xii, 2-4, 5-8, 22-25, 35-37, 44-47, 64
- Textbook pp. 6-7, 14-18, 39-40, 51-52, 53-56, 66-68
- "Living Examples" worksheet
- Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Bonus Content "Joy Story" video from Outside Da Box This video, a parody of "Toy Story," illustrates the purpose and meaning of the Nativity scene while explaining Catholic teachings on the Immaculate Conception and perpetual virginity of Mary. (Source: http://vcat.org/january-2013-joy-story/) or https://youtu.be/8nB407J-uEo |
Questions? Contact the coordinator, rhohner@queenofangelschicago.org.