RITE OF CONFIRMATION
2011/2012
R.O.C. Packet
For Students & Parents
Holy Family Quasi-Parish, Van Alstyne, TX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents & Contact Information 2
Welcome Letter 3
Checklists & Assignments 4
Calendar of Confirmation Events 5
Attendance and Discipline Policies 6
Spirit Day and Confirmation Workshops 7
Retreat – Driving Directions, Arrival & Pick Up Times 8
Retreat – Things to Bring 9
Community Service - Details 10
Saints Report 11
“What is Plagiarism & Citation” 12
Letter to the Bishop - Details 13
Qualifications for Sponsor and FAQs 14
“A Practicing Catholic” 15
Glossary of Terms 16
Sponsor Interview Form 17-18
Service Hours Journal Page 19-20
Confirmation Commitment Contract 21
FAITH FORMATION OFFICE (F.F.) OFFICE: 903-482-6322, Leave Message
Lydia Ford- PCL:
Denise Kurtt: - Faith Formation Admin:
www.holyfamily-vanalstyne.org
Dear Candidates & Parents
Welcome to the R.O.C. (Rite of Confirmation)! I am very excited that you have chosen to receive this sacrament! I pray that this year will show your whole family what it is to receive this amazing sacrament. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit…[and] strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community.” - CCC 1309
Our goal is to be true to this statement of preparation for Confirmation.
PLEASE KNOW THAT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR YOU WILL NOT KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, but it is my hope that you will know more about your faith, feel a sense of belonging, and grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Parents, we hope that through the course of this year you will actively
participate in your child’s Confirmation. You can continue to encourage your child in his or her faith by asking them about the different events they attend, by volunteering for Confirmation related events and most importantly… Pray. This can be as much a life-changing process for you, as it can be for your child!
Candidate, receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation will complete your
Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) but it is far from the end of your spiritual growth! This year is a chance for you to continue to grow, go deeper into the beauty of the Catholic Church, and the love of Christ. The ROC Team: Fr. Salvador, Fr. Arthur, Jim Rountree, the teachers, volunteers, church staff, and I are all here for you. God bless you in this coming year!
His Servant,
Lydia Ford
Director of Youth Formation
Coordinator of Confirmation
CHECKLIST FOR COMPLETION OF THE
CANDIDATES’ CONFIRMATION PROCESS
Candidates will need to complete all the following requirements and assignments.
REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES’ REGISTRATION
Submitted F.F. Registration Form.
Submitted Medical Release Form
Submitted your Child’s Baptismal Certificate
(if not already turned in)
Full Payment of Fee(s)
(Fee structure based on Registered vs Non Registered Parishioner)
· Second Year Registration Fee
· Plus $150 (Confirmation Sacrament Fee) for the Retreat, Spirit Day and Robe.
REQUIREMENTS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE CANDIDATE
Read, Sign and Turn in Confirmation Candidate
Commitment (in this packet)
Fill out and turn in Sponsor/Candidate Interview Form
20 Community Service Hours. (See Service Hours Journal Pages)
20 Spiritual Service Hours. (See Service Hours Journal Pages)
A TOTAL OF 40 Service Hours Required
Attendance at Retreat
ASSIGNMENTS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE CANDIDATE
The following assignments may be found in this ROC Packet. Please note the due dates and be sure to turn it all in. These assignments may be turned in early to the F.F. Office. It is the Candidate’s (Student) responsibility to turn these assignments in on time. Thank you for helping your child receive the most out of their Confirmation!
Write a Saint Report
Fill out and turn in Sponsor/Candidate Interview Form
Write a letter to the Bishop stating your desire to receive Confirmation
**All Information, Forms, Papers and Money must be turned into Lydia in the Faith Formation Office.**
Calendar of Confirmation Events
9/21..6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 19/28..6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 2
10/5..6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 3
10/12 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 4
10/19 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 5
10/26 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 6
LETTER TO THE BISHOP DUE!
11/2 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 7
11/9 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 8
11/16 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 9
SAINT REPORT DUE!
11/30 6pm-9pm / Confirmation Workshop #1 (Parent/Guardian and Youth are to attend)
12/7 6pm-7:30pm / Confirmation Workshop #2 (Parent/Guardian and Youth are to attend)
12/14 6pm-7pm / Confirmation Workshop #3 (Parent/Guardian and Youth are to attend)
Sponsor interview form due!
1/4/12 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 10
1/11 6pm-7pm / PARENT MEETING about Retreat
1/13-1/15 / Confirmation Retreat – for more important information, see Retreat Pages in the ROC Packet.
2/1 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 11
2/8 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 12
2/15 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 13
CHECK BULLETIN AND/OR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES or CHANGES
2/29 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 143/7 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 15
3/21 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 16
3/28 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 17
4/4 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 18
Service Hour Journals due!!!
4/18 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 19
4/25 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 20
5/2 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 21
5/9 6:00pm-7:00pm / Rehearsal at Saint Michaels Church (Candidate & Sponsor)
5/12 9:30 / Confirmation Mass 10AM
(Meet at 9:30am - Candidate & Sponsor – St. Rose Hall, St. Michaels Church)
5/23 6:00pm-7:00pm / Class 22 LAST CLASS
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Parents;
Together we will prepare your child for this once in a lifetime Sacrament of Confirmation. Each and every event and class is vital to your child’s formation and attendance is extremely important.
- We suggest that your child arrive 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of class. T
- Attendance at a minimum of 19, of the 22 Class Sessions, is required. In addition, Students must attend all Confirmation Workshops - with a parent or guardian. Make-up work is required for anyone who misses a workshop.
- If your child must miss a class or other event, please call our office to let us know.
- A message on voicemail or email is sufficient – Contact Office.
- If your child misses more than 15 minutes of a class he or she will be considered absent.
- If your child must miss multiple classes for whatever reason, please Lydia Ford in the Faith Formation Office know so that we can keep your child on track for his or her Confirmation.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
Goal Statement: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that every student attending Confirmation at Holy Family Quasi-Parish has the opportunity to participate in a positive and safe learning experience. The goal of the staff is to establish a learning environment that fosters spiritual and intellectual growth. Because the optimum learning environment is free of distractions, certain expectations must be placed on all participating members.
Expectations:
Students:
1) Be courteous and respectful*
2) Respect church property and equipment
3) Adhere to all risk reduction and safety policies
Staff/Teacher/Volunteers:
1) Be courteous and respectful*
2) Be fair
3) Maintain risk reduction and safety policies
* Includes no electronics during events and classes – examples: cell phones, mp3 players, iPods, cameras etc.
- Any electronics found will be taken and given to a church staff member in the Faith Formation Office. A parent must meet with the staff member in order to get the item back.
Teacher/Volunteer Guidelines: The following is a multi-step approach to group management.
Step 1 –1st Warning Verbal warning
Step 2 - 2nd Warning Teacher/Volunteer speaks privately to student about behavior
Step 3- Action:
Student will be escorted by a teacher/volunteer to F.F. Staff member, and will remain for a minimum of 15 minutes.
· Parents will be notified when a student has reached Step 3 more than once.
Confirmation Workshops
Confirmation Workshops are the teaching part of the Confirmation Program. These sessions include topics like: “What is Confirmation?”, “Personal Prayer”, “The Bible”, “Chastity and Purity”, “Moral Decision Making”, “Sacraments of Initiation”, “What do we believe?” and “Mary and the Saints”. Please contact the Faith Formation Office if you would like more details about the confirmation curriculum. The sessions are done in a large group, and also with activities and small group discussion times to help the Confirmandi to better understand the subjects being taught.
Please note that the Confirmation Workshops are specifically set up for both Youth and Parent/Guardian to attend. ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED!!!
Workshop #1 Nov. 30th 6-9pm
Workshop#2 Dec. 7th 6-7:30pm
Workshop#3 Dec.14 6-7pm
(bring completed sponsor interview form)
Confirmation Retreat
Our retreats are incredible events that allow you to encounter the Lord in a very real way. At this retreat we use talks, small group discussions, skits and more to show you that Confirmation is not just a onetime event but the beginning of your life of faith. A team of adults and Confirmed high school youth prepare for months to be ready for this retreat.
**Please be sure you have eaten dinner before you arrive on retreat.**
Drop Off at the Camp: 7:00pm – Friday at the Education Building
Pick Up from the Camp: 3:00pm – Sunday at the Education Building
Confirmation Retreat
Things to Bring:
Positive Attitude
2 sets of MODEST comfortable clothing
(Jeans, Shirt, Socks, Underwear, etc… Remember everyone will be sitting on the floor. Dress at all times should be casual but modest. No cutoffs or short-shorts, belly shirts or sports bras (exposed), band/concert t-shirts or t-shirts with suggestive or violent language will be allowed.
· Quick Test for appropriate shorts: when wearing shorts properly around waist, the bottom of the shorts should minimally reach to the tip of your fingers as your arms rest along the side of your body.
· Girls please do not bring shirts or blouses that have an open neck line.
· Guy’s pants/shorts must be pulled up to the waist.
Pajamas for sleeping
Bible (No Bible, No Breakfast-No Bible No Bed!)
1 set of appropriate Clothes for Mass
Tennis Shoes
Toiletries: Soap, Shampoo, Deodorant, etc…
Towel and Wash Cloth
Jacket
Flashlight
Snacks and 6 pack of water/ juice or soda to share with small group.
ALL THE ABOVE ITEMS MUST BE PACKED IN ONE BAG THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO CARRY.
Sleeping Bag & Pillow or Sheets, Blanket & Pillow (Please put these bed items in a plastic garbage bag.)
Things NOT to Bring:
· NO Watches or Phones
· NO Music Players (CD Player, MP3 Player, etc…)
· NO Video Players (DVD Player, VCR, TV, etc…)
· NO Video Games of any kind
· NO Weapons (Pocket Knives, etc…)
· NO Alcohol, NO Drugs – See note below about Prescription and Over the Counter Medications
· NO Combustible Items (Matches, Fireworks etc…)
(Please bring Prescription Drugs to the Medical Personnel as you arrive at the Camp on Friday Night. All prescriptions must be in their original bottle with instruction on amount and frequency of use. The church will provide all other over the counter medication like Tylenol, Advil etc… these will be dispensed by the Medical Personnel throughout the weekend as needed per the instructions on the box or bottle)
Community Service Requirement
Each Candidate must turn in their completed service hour journals on the 4th of April
One of the effects of Confirmation is “it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1303). Service Hours are required as you prepare for Confirmation because service to the community is part of being a “true witness of Christ”.
The Community Service Requirement must be fulfilled through participation in 40 service hours total. Must have 20 Spiritual and 20 community plus service journal pages.
20 Spiritual: is completed by helping in various ways at the Church.
Some possibilities are: altar serving, choir, usher with your parents, cleaning, teacher’s aide, church garden patrol etc… The best way to know if you are doing Spiritual Service hours is if you are physically on church property.
20 Community: is completed out in the Community at Large.
The other Community service hours can be fulfilled in a variety of ways, as long as the project meets the following conditions:
1. Must benefit others in the community… this means you can in no way receive gifts, money or other compensation for your work.
2. Volunteer Positions: helping coach a sports team for younger children, Local Library, Samaritan Inn, Community Christian Action (CCA), Your School, Your City (McKinney, Melissa, Anna... ), Elderly Neighbor, Your Apartment Complex, etc…
Service Journal Pages: Each Candidate must complete a journal entry by answering three questions about his or her experience. We hope that through your participation in these projects you will incorporate service to others as an important part of your faith.
**You are not limited to these service projects. If you have an idea or a question about something you are doing or want to be involved with, just ask.**
SAINT REPORT
REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS
DUE: Wednesday –November 16
A part of your Confirmation process is choosing a saint you look up to and writing a report on that saint. You may decide
to choose a saint based upon what they are the patron (protector or supporter) of, but whatever saint you choose they
become your patron. This means they will be looking out for you in a special way for your entire life until one day when
you meet them in Heaven! How can you strive to live like someone if you know nothing about them? This is why we
require a saint report.
Why is it even important to feel a connection with a saint? As Catholics, we know the power of having Mary
and the saints pray (or intercede) for us. Many saints are patrons of different things. For example, St. Cecilia is the patron
saint of musicians and St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The name of the saint you choose is the name that you will take as your own at Confirmation. For example if you choose