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Our next Confirmation Group will be forming in the Fall of 2010 for the celebration of Confirmation in the spring of 2011.
An Active Experiential Approach
"Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation. Confirmation brings to completion the making of a Christian. It is the seal of baptism, a celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and a confirming of the baptismal gifts given by the Spirit." -The Seekers Catechism
Our Lady of Guadalupe's approach to Confirmation preparation is designed to allow the candidate to use the personal experiences of the sacraments of the Church to ready themselves to receive the final sacrament of initiation, Confirmation.
Any person, 16 years or older, is invited to enroll in this process of experience and reflection around the sacramental life of the Church. The sacraments are one of the great strengths of our faith. Through them we would like to offer preparation by focusing on scripture, by experiencing the richness of the sacraments, by inviting candidates to reflect on their experience, and by taking responsibility for an adult faith in their lives.Candidates will be asked to involve themselves in an active way in several sacramental opportunities in the life of the community. In addition, they will be asked to reflect on these experiences, share that reflection through a creative expression, as well as reflect and engage with a sponsor of their choice.
Candidates are invited to enroll in the process early. The stages and steps of the program may vary for each candidate. Candidates may design their own involvement and are responsible for taking the initiative to schedule opportunities and events for their participation.
Who do I ask to be my Sponsor?The candidate is invited to involve themselves in six experiences of the sacramental life of the church.
The sacraments are one of the great strengths of our faith. Through them we would like to offer preparation by focusing on scripture, by experiencing the richness of the sacraments, by inviting candidates to reflect on their experience, and by taking responsibility for an adult faith in their lives.
The required sacramental experiences are:
One additional sacramental experience must also be completed:
With each sacramental experience the candidate must:
- 1. Schedule a time with Father to participate in the sacrament.
- 2. Participate actively in the celebration of the sacrament in a way that is comfortable for both the candidate and the Pastor.
- 3. Reflect on the experience.
- 4. Develop a creative expression of their reflection.
- 5. Meet with their sponsor and Fr. Jack and Peg Borkowski to share their reflections.
GOALS of this experiential program:- To allow the candidate to complete the process of initiation by involvement in the sacramental life of the Church.
- To form and prepare young adults by the sacraments themselves.
- To invite young adults into greater involvement in the sacramental life of the church.
- To focus on scripture as it relates to sacrament and life.
- To build bonds with the community of all ages.
- To provide opportunity for reflection and faith sharing.
- To make the experience personal.
- To give the candidate responsibility for their own experiences.
Required Sponsor Activity:
Each candidate is required to engage in at least two shared activities with their sponsor, such as:
- attending worship together
- a social action experience together
- a prayer experience together
- reading and sharing reflection on a book
It is up to the sponsor and candidate to determine together what these activities may be.
Sponsors will be contacted and asked if their candidate has prayerfully engaged in the process.
Group Reflection Sessions
Following the sacramental experiences, each candidate must participate in all the Required Reflection Sessions for the Confirmation Process.
The dates will be determined.
Our next Confirmation Group will gather in 2011.
This is a sample Time Line from Confirmation 2009 to show how the preparation will take place over the course of nine to ten months.
- Enrollment in the program by September 2008
- Interview with Fr. Jack or Peg by October 2008
- 1st experience completed by November 2008
- 2nd experience completed by December 2008
- 3rd experience completed by January 2009
- 4th experience completed by February 2009
- Additional experience completed by March 2009
(these need not be done in any particular order)
- All requirements must be completed by the required date.
PLEASE MAKE NOTE:- There will be no set curriculum or classroom experiences.
- This is a contract learning opportunity.
- Candidate must be at least 16 years of age and a registered member of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Frequent and regular attendance at mass is expected.
- There are no set dates for completion, nor any specific order for any of the requirements. You are encouraged to enroll early.
- These experiences are intended to be spread over the course of 12 months. Deadlines are set for your convenience and to give time and opportunity for reflection.
- The responsibility to complete the required elements rests solely with the candidate seeking confirmation.
- Candidates are responsible for finding their own sponsor. Assistance is available if needed.
- All requirements must be met prior to an established date in order to receive the sacrament in the spring of 2011.
- You may begin immediately. Contact the Parish Office for an initial meeting with the Pastor.
For more information,
or to register for the program contact Peg Borkowski.