confirmation booklet 2012-2013 - ascension-sd.org · 2 introduction why confirmation?why...

CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION CONFIRMATION

PREPARATIONPREPARATIONPREPARATIONPREPARATION

ASCENSION CATHOLIC ASCENSION CATHOLIC ASCENSION CATHOLIC ASCENSION CATHOLIC CHURCHCHURCHCHURCHCHURCH

2012201220122012----2013201320132013

“YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER

WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT

COMES UPON YOU,

AND YOU SHALL BE

MY WITNESSES.”

~ACTS 1:8

2

INTRODUCTION

WHY CONFIRMATION?WHY CONFIRMATION?WHY CONFIRMATION?WHY CONFIRMATION?

Confirmation, along with Baptism and the Eucharist, is a Sacrament of

Initiation in the Catholic Church. It is an outpouring of the gifts of the

Holy Spirit and completes the grace received in Baptism. The first Confir-

mation was at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the Apos-

tles and they were given the grace and strength to spread the Gospel

throughout the world. When we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation,

we receive that same outpouring of the Holy Spirit so we, too, may be

able to share the Gospel and bring others to the love of Christ.

You shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit comes upon you,

and you shall be My witnesses.”

~Acts 1:8

PRETARATION PROCESSPRETARATION PROCESSPRETARATION PROCESSPRETARATION PROCESS

The Confirmation preparation process at Ascension is designed to help

teens come to a greater understanding of their Catholic faith, grow in

their relationship with Christ, and practice living the Christian life. With

this foundation, they will be able to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit

received at Confirmation to the fullest.

It is a two year process, usually

during a teen’s freshman and

sophomore years in high school.

Each year there are two

semesters, with eight sessions per

semester. Confirmation sessions

include prayer, catechesis, and

small group faith sharing. In addition to Confirmation sessions, students

participate in our Youth Mass, high school youth nights, and other youth

events.

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COMPONENTS

CONFIRMATION SESSIONSCONFIRMATION SESSIONSCONFIRMATION SESSIONSCONFIRMATION SESSIONS

SYLLABUS YEAR I

• Semester I: Disciples. This semester will focus on God’s unique plan for

every person, his invitation to follow him, and how we can respond.

• Semester 2: Scripture. Students will explore God’s loving plan of salvation

found in Sacred Scripture.

SYLLABUS YEAR II

• Semester I: Morality. Students will learn that following God’s plan brings

the freedom to live the fullness of life He has for each of us.

• Semester II: Creed and Sacraments. We will delve more deeply into what

we profess as Catholics, and understand how God gives us grace through

the Sacraments.

SCHEDULE

Confirmation sessions will take place on Sunday afternoons twice per month

from 4-5:15pm. Please see the calendar in the back of this booklet.

YOUTH MASSYOUTH MASSYOUTH MASSYOUTH MASS

The Mass is our highest form of worship, and receiving Christ in the Eucharist

is central to our Christian lives. Pope Benedict says, “Sunday is the day when

Christians rediscover the Eucharistic form which their lives are meant to

have” (SC, 72).

After classes, Confirmation candidates will attend the 5:30pm Youth Mass

together (unless they usually attend a different Mass with their families). Teens

will be given a “Confirmation Journal” which they will keep to record their

thoughts on the homily or readings for each Sunday. They will need to turn

this in at the end of each semester. Weekly Sunday Mass attendance is

required for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

4

COMPONENTS

YOUTH NIGHTSYOUTH NIGHTSYOUTH NIGHTSYOUTH NIGHTS

Youth Nights begin with our 5:30pm Youth Mass, followed by an

engaging, relevant, and formative youth gathering.

Youth Nights take place on the first Sunday of every month. Candidates

are required to attend 6 Youth Nights or other youth events each year, in

addition to Confirmation sessions.

PARENT NIGHTSPARENT NIGHTSPARENT NIGHTSPARENT NIGHTS

Every other month we will have a parent/teen night with either a guest

speaker or other event. These need to be attended by either a parent or

sponsor.

BIBLE STUDYBIBLE STUDYBIBLE STUDYBIBLE STUDY

We will be having a weekly Bible study headed by one of our young adult

core team members. *Day and time TBA

RETREATSRETREATSRETREATSRETREATS

Retreats are wonderful opportunities to encounter God free from the

distractions of everyday life. They are an important part of a candidate’s

spiritual journey towards Confirmation. *Dates TBA

OTHER YOUTH EVENTSOTHER YOUTH EVENTSOTHER YOUTH EVENTSOTHER YOUTH EVENTS

In addition to regular meetings, we also social and service events

throughout the year to help strengthen our youth community and

friendships with one another.

SERVICE HOURSSERVICE HOURSSERVICE HOURSSERVICE HOURS

Year I and II Candidates must complete 30 service hours each year, 20 of

which must be done at/or with Ascension. Please document service hours

completed on the service form found in your Confirmation Journal.

5

POLICIES

CONFIRMATION JOURNALSCONFIRMATION JOURNALSCONFIRMATION JOURNALSCONFIRMATION JOURNALS

This year, students will be given a Confirmation Journal that they will be able

to keep track of and document their attendance, service hours, and other

requirements. Students will need to bring this Journal to Sunday Mass,

Confirmation sessions, and Youth Nights. It is the student’s responsibility to

ensure that they meet all of the requirements each year for Confirmation.

Journals need to be turned in to Marie at the end of every semester to

check progress.

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATIONATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATIONATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATIONATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION

Confirmation Sessions: Candidates are allowed one absence from

Confirmation sessions per semester (please let Marie know ahead of time if

you will be absent). Other absences will require meeting with Marie and

completing a makeup assignment to continue the semester. Catholic High

School students are only required to attend the first semester of their first

year, and the second semester of their second year. Please arrive on time. If

you are late, you may be marked absent.

Youth Nights: All candidates (including Catholic school candidates) need to

attend 6 Youth Nights or other approved youth events per year.

Parent/Teen Nights: A parent and/or sponsor needs to attend these

evenings with their teen.

CONFIRMATION READINESS INTERVIEW & TESTCONFIRMATION READINESS INTERVIEW & TESTCONFIRMATION READINESS INTERVIEW & TESTCONFIRMATION READINESS INTERVIEW & TEST

Towards the end of the second year of Confirmation preparation, each

candidate will participate in an informal interview with Fr. Bob to

demonstrate readiness to receive the sacrament. Readiness is determined

by the candidate’s desire to receive the sacrament and satisfactory comple-

tion of the requirements for Confirmation. Before the interview, candidates

will need to successfully complete a test, demonstrating understanding of

what they have learned during their two years of preparation.

6

POLICIES

RULES /EXPECTATIONS FOR CONFIRMATION & YOUTH EVENTSRULES /EXPECTATIONS FOR CONFIRMATION & YOUTH EVENTSRULES /EXPECTATIONS FOR CONFIRMATION & YOUTH EVENTSRULES /EXPECTATIONS FOR CONFIRMATION & YOUTH EVENTS

Out of respect for oneself and others, candidates are expected to:

• Behave appropriately and respectfully at all youth events and

Confirmation sessions.

• Anything dangerous or illegal is of course prohibited.

• Use upbuilding and kind speech, and no swearing/profanities.

• Arrive on time.

• Participate in Confirmation sessions, and complete and

assignments/ readings.

• No cell phone or ipod use during Confirmation, Youth events,

and of course Mass.

• Dress modestly and appropriately: All undergarments must be

covered, no skin-tight clothing, exposed midriffs, no low-cut tops,

spaghetti strap tops, strapless or backless tops. No sagging, skin-

tight pants, short shorts or short skirts.

7

REGISTRATION

PARENT ORIENTATION MEETINGPARENT ORIENTATION MEETINGPARENT ORIENTATION MEETINGPARENT ORIENTATION MEETING

Parents of new candidates need to attend the Orientation Meeting on

September 9th, at 6:30PM.

ONEONEONEONE----ONONONON----ONE MEETINGONE MEETINGONE MEETINGONE MEETING

Year I Candidates are asked to meet with Marie sometime in September.

Sign-ups will be available at the Parent/Candidate Meeting on September

9th, or contact Marie to make an appointment.

REGISTRATION PACKETREGISTRATION PACKETREGISTRATION PACKETREGISTRATION PACKET

Please complete and return the Registration Form, Medical Release Form,

Parent/Candidate Agreement Form, and Parent Volunteer Form by

September 17th.

Fees:

Year I Public School: $150 per candidate

Year I Catholic School: $100 per candidate

Year II Public School: $150 per candidate

Year II Catholic School: $100 per candidate

BAPTISM AND FIRST COMMUNION CERTIFICATESBAPTISM AND FIRST COMMUNION CERTIFICATESBAPTISM AND FIRST COMMUNION CERTIFICATESBAPTISM AND FIRST COMMUNION CERTIFICATES

If Candidate was not Baptized or received First Communion at Ascension,

please turn in copies of certificates with registration, if you have not done so

in the past.

CONFIRMATION SPONSORSCONFIRMATION SPONSORSCONFIRMATION SPONSORSCONFIRMATION SPONSORS

Please see the sponsor packet for information about the role of sponsors,

forms, resources, and important dates.

Registration is due September 17th.Registration is due September 17th.Registration is due September 17th.Registration is due September 17th.

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2012-2013 CALENDAR

September September September September

9th: Confirmation Parent Meeting, 6:30pm

16th: Youth Night Fall Kick-Off, 6:30pm

23rd: Confirmation Classes, 4pm

30th: Confirmation Classes, 4pm

October October October October

7th: All High School Youth Night, 6:30pm


21st: Parent/Teen Night, 6:30pm


November November November November

4th: Youth Night, 6:30pm


18th: Thanksgiving Break


DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember

2nd: Youth Night, 6:30pm



Teen & Family Christmas Party, 6:30pm

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January January January January




FebruaryFebruaryFebruaryFebruary:

3rd: Youth Night, 6:30pm

10th: Confirmation, 4pm

17th: Parent/Teen Night, 6:30pm


March March March March

3rd: Youth Night, 6:30pm



AprilAprilAprilApril



21st: Parent/Teen Night, 6:30pm


2012-2013 CALENDAR

10

Ascension Youth Ministry

Marie Lopez, Director

(858) 279-2735/[email protected]

confirmation booklet 2012-2013 - ascension-sd.org · 2 introduction why confirmation?why...

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