Confirmation Spirit Day
Candidates: We take part in a retreat day in order to set aside time to block out the usual noise and distractions of our lives to become aware of God speaking to us. In our retreat today, we will be looking at how the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. We will also look at the gifts we receive from the Spirit. We will be asking how God wants us to use these gifts. So, find a quiet space and complete the activities from our Confirmation Spirit Day using the links and materials below.
Opening
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Heavenly Father,
we offer our prayer and the work of our lives to you this day. Be with us and bless us as we begin this time of retreat, and may the presence of your loving grace fill our hearts and minds always. Be with us as we take this next step on our faith journey, as we begin to discover our personal call, and as we explore how we might best use our gifts in service to others. Help us to become the disciples you wish us to be, ever mindful of who we are and whose we are. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
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Opening Message
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Session 1
The Gifts of the
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Session 2
A Community of Faith
You are not alone. Rather, as a member of the Catholic Church, you are part of community of faith that journeys with you throughout every stage in life.
This presentation will look at what it means to be a faith community and why that community is so important to Christians. Use the WORKSHEET included in your RETREAT KIT to go along with the presentation. Then complete the activity below that dives deeper into the Marks of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic. |
If you click the arrows in the lower right hand corner, it will take you to a full screen version of the presentation.
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Activity:
One,
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At each Mass, we say together, “I believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”
The Letter to the Ephesians helps us consider the meaning of these words. |
Read the Bible passage for each of the four marks. Consider what the passage tells about the word. Then answer the discussion question at the bottom of the section.
Nicene Creed
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The Catholic Church is made up of more than just buildings – it is the Body of Christ on earth, a community of believers across the world. We define the key characteristics of the Church – one, holy, catholic, and apostolic - every time we say the Nicene Creed.
Reflect now on this prayer. Reflect on how no matter the language or the location, the culture or social backgrounds of the gathered Catholic community – we all still worship the same Trinity and share one Baptism and one faith. All the Church is united in its purpose to bring the Kingdom of God on earth. This is what makes us “one”. |
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
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I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
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In what ways do I respond to God’s love for me?
Take a moment to pray for the fortitude to spread God’s love to others.
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I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
…
In what ways do I show gratitude to God for the gift of life?
Take a moment to pray for the wonder and awe needed to truly value God’s plan for the world and for your life.
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For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
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In what ways can I follow Jesus’s example of obedience?
Take a moment to pray for the right judgement to follow Jesus’s example of obedience to God.
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I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
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In what ways do I speak the faith in my life?
Take a moment to pray for the wisdom and knowledge to speak about your faith.
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I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
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In what ways do I model the four marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, apostolic?
Take a moment to pray for the understanding and piety to be a model of the Church.
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Amen.
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
…
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
…
In what ways do I respond to God’s love for me?
Take a moment to pray for the fortitude to spread God’s love to others.
…
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
…
In what ways do I show gratitude to God for the gift of life?
Take a moment to pray for the wonder and awe needed to truly value God’s plan for the world and for your life.
…
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
…
In what ways can I follow Jesus’s example of obedience?
Take a moment to pray for the right judgement to follow Jesus’s example of obedience to God.
…
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
…
In what ways do I speak the faith in my life?
Take a moment to pray for the wisdom and knowledge to speak about your faith.
…
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
…
In what ways do I model the four marks of the Church: one, holy, catholic, apostolic?
Take a moment to pray for the understanding and piety to be a model of the Church.
…
Amen.
Session 3
Living Witnesses:
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Closing
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In union with all of the Confirmation Candidates of St. Michael Parish, Let us pray,
God our Father made us his children by water and the Holy Spirit. May God bless us and watch over us with his fatherly love. Jesus Christ the Son of God promised that the Spirit of truth would be with his church forever. May he bless us and give us courage in professing the truth. The Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples and set their hearts on fire with love. May he bless us; keep us one in faith and love and bring us the joys of God’ s kingdom, as we live the call to be missionary disciples. May almighty God bless us, that we may continue to grow in the gifts and blessings God has bestowed upon us at Baptism and are continually strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit, + in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. + Amen. |