Confirmation 2013 – 2014

1. Confirmation2013 – 2014 Our Lady of Grace Chelsea / Everett

2. What is Confirmation? Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, form the Sacraments of Initiation that are all intimately connected. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is […] strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.

3. Why Confirmation? At Confirmation, our faith and membership in the Body of Christ is confirmed, or strengthened. CCC, no. 1316, and Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio [ On the Permanent Validity of the Church’s Missionary Mandate ], no. 26

4. Why Confirmation? The decision to be baptized is followed by continued growth, learning, and witness as members of the Body of Christ.

5. Why Confirmation Our desire to continue to grow and develop as Christians finds expression in Confirmation, when we renew our baptismal promises and receive in a new way the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which strengthens our “bond” with the Church and its members.

6. Strengthened by the Spirit,Called to ActionFrom: USCCB Justice and Peace • At Confirmation, our faith and membership in the Body of Christ is confirmed, or strengthened. • Confirmation connects us to a larger community.

7. Strengthened by the Spirit,Called to Action • At Confirmation, we receive anew the gifts of the Holy Spirit. • These gifts of the Spirit move us to imitate the love and service of Christ and the saints.

8. Strengthened by the Spirit,Called to Action • At Confirmation, we recommit to participate in the Church’s work and mission. • The Holy Spirit inspires us to Gospel action that includes human development and work to end injustice. • Confirmation calls us to share Christ’s mission to promote life and dignity.

9. Parents as Teachers • A fundamental opportunity for building such a communion is constituted by the educational exchange between parents and children, in which each gives and receives. • By means of love, respect and obedience toward their parents, children offer their specific and irreplaceable contribution to the construction of an authentically human and Christian family.

10. Parents as Teachers Since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. Declaration on Christian Education When they become parents, spouses receive from God the gift of a new responsibility. Their parental love is called to become for the children the visible sign of the very love of God, "from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.” Apostolic ExhortationOn the Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World

11. Parents as Teachers • Parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. • Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. • For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and others that a well-rounded personal and social development will be fostered among the children. • Hence, the family is the first school of those social virtues which every society needs.”

12. Family Involvement • Commitment to Prayer • Individual • Familial • Communal • Participation in the life of the Church • Sunday Mass • Generations of Faith • Participation in the Mission of the Church • Service Opportunities

13. Family Activities Involve the whole family – young and old and in between! The web site gives examples of Prayers Movies Books “Outings” and much more….

14. Student Participation • Pray • Attend Mass • Attend Generations of Faith • Attend supplemental classes • Keep and open mind • Be willing to learn and try something new • Participate in Service Opportunities • Write reflections on the service projects • Involve your family in faith formation • Write reflections on these activities

15. Parish Commitment Prepare well for Generations of Faith and Supplemental classes. Staff and Catechists (Eileen and Noreen) be available to students and parents. Parish will pray for the students.

16. Service Projects Some examples are given on the web site (www.ologp.net)

17. Service Projects No “double dipping!” Your school and your Confirmation projects have different purposes. Therefore, they must be different activities. Let us know if you have other suggestions!

18. Student Reflections • Family Prayer • Family Activities • Service Projects

19. Requirements Copy of Baptismal Certificate (if not Baptized at OLG). Attendance at Generations of Faith (at least one parent). Attendance at Supplemental Classes. Family Activities and Reflections Parent attendance at beginning and ending of supplemental classes. Community Service Projects – 3 projects of 1½ hours each ---Reflections on Service Projects

20. Information about Our Program www.ologp.net

21. Missed Classes or Generations of Faith Attendance at all sessions is expected – but we know that “Life Happens!” If you are unable to attend a session, please let Eileen or Noreen know – email ologpconfirmation@gmail.com In the event that a student miss a class, or a student or family miss Generations of Faith, the topic of that particular session needs to be made up by the student or the family.

22. Missed Classes or Generations of Faith The made up work can be in the form of a paper, a slide show, a story board or a video (or any other way that you can imagine!). The student and/or family will present their learning and understanding of the topic by individually presenting to a member of the staff or the Confirmation Coordinators. This will be presented within one month’s time. Make arrangements with Eileen or Noreen.

23. Questions

24. Contact Information Eileen Maguire Noreen Murphy Sheila LaLiberte ologpconfirmation@gmail.com Rectory: 617-884-0030

25. First Assignment Family Faith Time Line Due on the first class, October 6th

26. Thank you!