Confirmation Parent Night Prayer for parents Most loving

Confirmation Parent Night

Prayer for parents

Most loving Father, the example of parenthood, teaches us what to give and what to withhold. Show us when to reprove and when to praise. Make us gentle and considerate yet firm and watchful. Keep us from weak indulgence or from great severity. Give us the courage to be disliked sometimes by our children, when we must do necessary things which are displeasing to their eyes. Give us the imagination to enter into their world in order to understand guide them. Give us all the virtues we need to lead them by word and example in the path of righteousness.

Heavenly Creator of the universe, we thank You for the children that You have entrusted to us. We want to cooperate with You fully in helping them grow into free and responsible persons and mature in the faith received at Baptism. Grant us the grace to be able to guide them in the practice of virtue and the way of your commandments-by the good example of our lives, and by the loving observance of your teachings and that of your Church. Most of all, however, guide them with your Spirit so that they may know the vocation You want for them and be open to genuine selfgiving and true Christian love. Amen.

Preparation for Sacraments Family Focused, Parish Based and School supported Model of Preparation and Celebration of Sacraments

Working as A Community All sharing the vision of how the sacraments will be celebrated within the parish community.

Faith formation and Religious Education distinct and complementary. Developing Faith needs the collaboration of the Family and Parish. Religious education, whether it takes place in a school or parish setting, functions as a support to the sacramental life of the Church. Sacraments flow from the life of the Church.

The family is the most influential community for sharing faith. Religious awakening in children: • sense of closeness of God & Jesus • attitudes of love & respect for God • awareness of self as: - a child of God a brother or sister of Jesus a temple of the Holy Spirit a member of the Catholic Church • the practice of prayer • participation in worship especially the Eucharist • reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Penance, Confirmation and Eucharist.

Christian Moral development of children: • • • the exercise of moral conscience Christian love Gospel attitudes, especially: valuing the human person before all other human values simplicity in a materialistic world a sense of true justice respect for every individual genuine love for the poor and needy community and sharing social responsibility hospitality sexual morality

Presenting the truths of Christian teaching: • explaining the religious content of family events - death birth of child Christian feasts reception of the sacraments • introducing the Bible • reinforcing parish faith formation • reinforcing systematic religious education.

Preparation for Confirmation. . . should aim at leading the young Christian towards a more intimate union with Christ. The sacrament itself strengthens and confirms what happens in baptism – completing the grace of baptism - and it further initiates the individual journey of faith empowering the young people to go and proclaim the good news.

Baptismal promises The six questions of the baptismal promises. Celebrant: Do you reject Satan? Response: I do. Celebrant: And all his works? Response: I do. Celebrant: And all his empty promises? Response: I do. Celebrant: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth? Response: I do.

Celebrant: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? Response: I do. Celebrant: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? Response: I do.

What is required for Confirmation The Church requires that those being Confirmed be suitably instructed, properly disposed, and able to renew their baptismal promises. (Canon 889. 2)

CONFIRMATION Grace to become an active agent for Christ Not a passive recipient of God’s gifts Strengthens the gifts of Faith, Hope & Charity Gives the seven gifts of: wisdom and understanding, right judgment and courage, knowledge and reverence, wonder and awe.

Christian service is an essential aspect of the way of life of a committed Christian person. The gifts given in Confirmation provide the necessary strength and support to engage in this difficult work of building the Kingdom of God now and throughout our Christian lives.

Handouts • For Parents • For sponsors Any questions? Confirmation Parent Night 2 Thursday 13 June Confirmation Retreat & Rehearsal Day: Saturday 22 June (1. 00 -4. 30 pm) Sacrament of Confirmation: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June