January Session
Candidates, Sponsors & Parents: These sessions are required by the Diocese of Youngstown as part of Confirmation Preparation.
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Welcome
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Preparing for the Journey
Making Confirmation MeaningfulMuch like preparing for a trip, this video will discuss how Candidates can prepare to make their Confirmation meaningful and life-changing.
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Resources Referenced in Video
Breakout Session #1
Come Holy Spirit
An Activity for Candidates and Sponsors
Complete the following activity with your Sponsor. This can be done in a number of ways: together in-person or over the phone/FaceTime if you are not able to meet together in-person. Whichever way you choose, take time this month to connect with your Sponsor. When you have completed the activity, answer the survey below.
Come Holy Spirit,
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Candidates and Sponsors:
1. Begin by praying together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit found on the left-hand side of your screen. (This prayer can also be found in the Confirmation Journal).
2. Candidates, read about the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit recapped below. Share with your Sponsor which gift you find particularly interesting or challenging, and why. 3. Sponsors, share with your candidates how you have seen the Holy Spirit, especially His Gifts, move in your life since your own Confirmation. 4. Finally, take a moment to answer the discussion questions below, whether by continuing your conversation, or by writing each other a letter. Candidates: Which gift of the Holy Spirit do you see and admire in your sponsor?
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Gifts of the Holy Spirit Recap
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The first three gifts help us to know…
Wisdom • Helps us look upon life as a great and remarkable gift from God • Helps us recognize God’s presence in all people, places, and things • Helps us judge events in our lives according to our belief in God Understanding • Leads us beyond just knowing the beliefs of the Church • Helps us discover God’s plan in our lives • Helps us touch the lives of others through serving them Knowledge • Helps us be sure that God loves us • Calls us to live a life of loving actions wherever we are – at home, at school, on the basketball court, at the mall, with friends • Shows us how the truths of our faith help us know how to live 
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The next two gifts help us choose what is right and good…
Right Judgment (Counsel) • Helps us see right and good things to do among the many choices we make every day • Helps us be a guide to others and ask for guidance when we need it Courage (Fortitude) • Helps us be strong in our beliefs as Christians • Helps us to make the right choice, even when it’s a difficult one • Helps us make our world a better place for all people The last two gifts help us relate well to God and to those around us… Reverence (Piety) • Helps us honor God as our loving Creator, and all people as our brothers and sisters • Encourages us to praise God freely and to grow in faith as we pray Wonder and Awe (Fear of the Lord) • Helps us respect the goodness and majesty of God • Helps us value God’s plan for the world and increases our desire to build up the kingdom of God on earth • Helps us be grateful to God for the gift of life and encourages us to worship God Adapted from Gifted by God Confirmation Retreat Kit
Dayler, David, and Anne Jamieson. Gifted by God: A Confirmation Retreat Kit. Novalis, 2013. |
"Confirmation is the beginning of your faith journey. It is a time for you to step-up and take ownership of your spiritual life."
Breakout Session #2
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
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Sophia Sketchpad: ConfessionSponsors and Candidates are encouraged to attend the Sacrament of Confession together in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. (St. Michael's offers confession the first and third Saturday of the month at 11:00 am in the church).
Watch the Sophia SketchPad video on Confession once through to learn more about the Sacrament of Reconciliation: the roots of the sacrament, as well as the importance of acknowledging our sins and asking for God's forgiveness.
Then complete the review questions below. |
Candidates and Sponsors are encouraged to attend
the Sacrament of Reconciliation
together during the time of preparation for Confirmation.
In the November session for Candidates and Sponsors, we discussed what it means to be a witness and that the goal of our lives is to become saints.
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation is where saints are made.
Please set aside time in the coming weeks to take part in this Sacrament together.
Closing Prayer
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Conclude this month's session, by reflecting with the song "The Footsteps of Christ," written by St. Michael's very own, Jeff Fricker.
As you continue to prepare to receive the Holy Spirit fully at your Confirmation, may God guide you as you continue to walk in the footsteps of His Son, Jesus Christ. |
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Lyrics
The Footsteps of Christ © 2012 Jeff Fricker
Walking in the footsteps of Christ; Caminando en los pasos de Cristo; in the steps of Christ.
Fill us with your grace; prepare us for this journey. We ask you once again; to light our path oh Lord. Guide us on our way. R
Through the bread and wine; a Eucharistic people. Our gifts we bring to you; Community as one. Lead us Lord this day. R
Live in us oh Lord; Redeemer of creation. We praise you Lord our God; Eternal life we pray. Step by step today. R
Fill us with your grace; prepare us for this journey. We ask you once again; to light our path oh Lord. Guide us on our way. R
Through the bread and wine; a Eucharistic people. Our gifts we bring to you; Community as one. Lead us Lord this day. R
Live in us oh Lord; Redeemer of creation. We praise you Lord our God; Eternal life we pray. Step by step today. R
Thank you for completing the January Session
for Confirmation Preparation!
Candidates, continue to work on your Confirmation Journal, as these are to be turned in soon!
SMS Students: Journals due by January 20th to your Homeroom Teacher
FGF Students: Journals due by February 9th to your FGF Teacher or the Parish Office
FGF Students: Journals due by February 9th to your FGF Teacher or the Parish Office
Sponsors, the Sponsor Verification Forms are to be completed and retruned to the Parish Office by February 1, 2024.
