Sacrament of Confirmation Parent and child information evening

Sacrament of Confirmation Parent and child information evening. Overview of Information Night 1. Welcome and Prayer 2. The origins and significance of the Sacrament of Confirmation 3. How the Students will prepare for their Confirmation 4. What students will learn in this unit of work 5. How you can support your child Activity Why do you want your child to be Confirmed? Please join in our Prayer: Lord, You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent. Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice. Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them. As we prepare these children for Confirmation, make each of us an instrument of Your love. Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what we do not understand. Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example. We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

The origins and significance of the Sacrament of Confirmation is a Sacrament initiated at Pentecost when God sent the Holy Spirit to give strength and wisdom to his followers. Through Confirmation we receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit which help make us stronger and able to live truly Christian lives. Confirmation is the third Rite of Catholic Initiation, together with Baptism and the Eucharist. It is an opportunity to refocus our lives on our Christian calling. Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit The Story of Pentecost When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power. ” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean? ” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine. ” Acts 2: 1 -13

How students will prepare for their Confirmation • Candidates will engage in a series of lessons about the Sacrament of Confirmation incorporating readings from Scripture, self reflection, research into their chosen Confirmation Saint, writing activities, art and creative activities, music, conversation and discussion. • Students will prepare prayers and items to be used at our Confirmation Mass, and take active roles in the Sunday celebration. As well as completing the five week unit of work, the candidates will go on a day long retreat to New Norcia. • Saint Cereal Box Biography Project: Students will research the life of their chosen Saint and present a summary of the information as a cereal box report. They will also present a four to five minute speech on their Saint. This project is an opportunity to learn about and connect with a religious role model as they prepare for their Confirmation. • . Attendance at Mass and regular prayer: It is important that families support the Candidates learning journey by regularly attending mass and making time to reflect and pray. Parents are the first educators of their children in all areas; therefore it is important to share our faith with them at this important time.

What students will learn in this unit of work v Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit We wonder at God the Creator. God empowers us to do what is good Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to his followers We receive heroic strength through the Holy Spirit Gifts of the Spirit are received through Confirmation v The Beatitudes – how they can help us live Christian lives. v Four Pillars of the Catholic Church v Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit The unit begins by recalling that the soul gives both life to the body and inner strength for goodness. We wonder at God who empowers human beings to do what is good. The unit then explores ways in which Jesus revealed heroic, spiritual strength to obey his Father. Jesus promised the special strength of the Holy Spirit to his Church, to empower his followers to do good. The unit explores ways in which Christian heroes have been strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and how Catholics are promised this strengthening through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The extent to which this strengthening will grow depends upon their daily prayer, their worship and genuine efforts to live the teachings of Jesus.

How you can support your child in Confirmation Ø Attend Mass and pray for all Confirmation candidates. Ø Have conversations with your child and ask questions about what they have learned in class. Ø Share your faith and thoughts with them at every opportunity. Ø Talk with your child and help them choose a Sponsor to stand beside them at the Confirmation ceremony. Ø Help your child prepare their Confirmation Sash (details will be sent home this week). Thank you for attending tonight. Questions? Please join in our Prayer: Spirit of God, grant me: The gift of wisdom To see the world through your eyes, The gift of counsel To make difficult decisions, The gifts of knowledge and understanding To use my mind to know you and to love you, The gift of fortitude To have the courage to live in the faith Despite the difficulties and disappointments, The gift of piety To be able to express my special love And commitment to you, And the right kind of awesome fear That makes me pause to wonder and revere God’s Love. Amen.