CONFIRMATION 2011

St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church – Confirmation Preparation 2010-11 Calendar

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. John Chapter 15:16

In addition to attending Sunday Mass, Candidates are expected to be fully active in their Confirmation Preparation by attending all the events listed below. Please report an absence due to illness or emergency BEFORE the event if possible by calling Marlene at 777-4322/cell 703-1061.

Aug 15, 2010 Registration is due at the Parish Office - Registration/Liability/Parent Volunteer and Baptismal Cert. (if needed)

Aug 18, 2010 – Sep 25, 2010 Small Faith Group Social Event Time/Date: TBA
Who – Candidates and Small Faith Group Facilitators.
Description - A social event will be planned for the members of your Small Faith Group before the Opening Event. Dates and further information will be provided by your Small Faith Group Facilitator when available.

Aug 18, 2010 – Apr 9, 2011 Small Faith Group Service Event Time/Date: TBA
Who – Candidates and Small Faith Group Facilitators.
Description - A service event will be planned for the members of your Small Faith Group sometime between Aug 18 – Apr 9. Dates and further information will be provided by your Small Faith Group facilitator when available.

Jun 1, 2010 – Apr 9, 2011 Family Service Project _____________
Who – Candidate with their family.
Description – Please use the ‘Family Service Project Information Sheet’ to discuss family service. Soon after the service has been completed, please send an e-mail to mdoughman@saint-max.org so that it can be logged.

Sep 1, 2010 ‘Sponsor Eligibility Form’ with Signature and Seal due at the Parish Office___________________________

Sep 26, 2010 Opening Event Session 1 1:00-4:00 or Session 2 6:00-9:00
Who – Candidates and Sponsors.
Description – Candidates and Sponsors will attend together in the gym. A snack will be served. Session times will be assigned.

Sep 26, 2010 Parent Meeting Session 1 1:30-3:00 or Session 2 6:30-8:00
Who – Parents/guardians of Candidates.
Description – A meeting for all parents/guardians of Candidates called by our pastor will be held in the Conference Room.

Oct 2 or 3, 2010 Blessing of Confirmandi Mass on Sat 4:30 or Sun 8:00 or 10:00 or 12:00
Who – Candidate with Sponsor.
Description - Candidate and Sponsor will stand during mass for a blessing. Remember to dress appropriately. Candidates and Sponsors will pick up materials after mass during a reception in the Conference Room.

Oct 9 – 14, 2010 Parish Mission Events held all week
Description – Fr. Geoff expects all parishioners to attend parish mission events. Candidates should attend with their families.

Nov 30, 2010 Session 1, BAPTISM - Prayer Service & Small Faith Group Discussion Tues 7:30-9:00PM
Who – Candidate with Sponsor.
Description – Candidate will come forward for a blessing during the prayer service, Each candidate needs to be accompanied by their sponsor. After the prayer service, Candidates meet with their Small Faith Groups.

Jan 18, 2011 Session 2, The HOLY SPIRIT – Prayer Service & Small Faith Group Discussion Tues 7:30-9:00PM
Who – Candidate with Sponsor.

Feb 15, 2011 Session 3, ANOINTING – Prayer Service & Small Faith Group Discussion Tues 7:30-9:00PM
Who – Candidate with Sponsor.

Mar 19 or 20 or 26 Spring Retreat at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford. Includes lunch. Does NOT include Mass
Who – Candidate with Small Faith Group Facilitators.
Choose one: Sat March 19 depart St. Max 8 AM return to St. Max 3PM
Sun March 20 depart Lakota East High School 8AM return to St. Max 3PM
Sat March 26 depart St. Max 8 AM return to St. Max 3PM

Mar 22, 2011 Session 4, DISCIPLESHIP – Prayer Service & Small Faith Group Discussion Tues 7:30-9:00PM
Who – Candidate with Sponsor.

Apr 5, 2011 MakeUp Session – If needed. Prayer Service & Small Faith Group Discussion Tues 7:30-9:00PM
Who – Candidate with Sponsor.

Apr 10, 2010 Evening of Affirmation Sun 7:00-9:00PM
Who – Candidates arrive at staggered times between 7pm and 8:30pm and stay for about 30 minutes.
Description – Candidates submit their completed Confirmation Portfolio with the following 4 pages: Introduction, Confirmation Name, Personal Reflection, and Service Reflection. Candidates meet one-on-one with a parishioner and are fitted for albs.

May 12, 2010 Rehearsal 6:30-7:30PM or 8:00-9:00PM
Who – Candidate with Sponsor.
PLEASE NOTE – Early rehearsal will be for the 10:00am Mass ONLY, later rehearsal is for the 1:00pm Mass ONLY.

May 14, 2011 Rite of Confirmation held at St. Max 10:00am or 1:00pm
Who – Candidate with Sponsor, family and friends.
Description - Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop Emeritus of Cincinnati will preside at both masses at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. Mass time will be assigned. Assignment will be given in the spring.

Confirmation

Many thanks to the 179 families who attended this year’s information meetings in anticipation of Confirmation on May 14th, 2011. All the candidates responded that ‘yes’ they would prayerfully discern their candidacy for Confirmation.
• Reminder - the Conf Calendar and all other documentation will be on-line at the parish website by July 1st.
• Discerning whether a candidate will be involved in Conf Prep this year lasts until Aug 15th when the registrations are due.
• Discerning a sponsor should begin as soon as the candidate registers. Sponsor forms need to be returned (signed and with a seal) by Sept. 5th so we can send out a mailing and invite them to the Sept. 26th Conf Opening Event.
• Please spend time this summer at the library or on-line learning about Saints. Many candidates indicate that they have a difficult time choosing a saint name. There are many books and web sites with short essays on saints to help us become familiar with them.
• Reminder – the same Conf news is found in the parish bulletin or in the bi-monthly e-news or on the parish web site (starting July 1st). Choose your preferred form of media to find reminders and latest news
• Questions?? Call Marlene at the Parish Office 777-4322 ex 118.

DOCUMENTS

• Choosing My Sponsor Booklet
• Confirmation Preparation Calendar 2010-11
• Family Service Project Information Sheet
• Letter from Fr. Geoff to Families of the Candidates
• Medical, Photo, Liability Release Form
• Parent Volunteer Form
• Permission Slip for Spring Retreat at JSCAM
• Sponsor Eligibility Form
• To Do List

Looking for a Saint Name?

Try these links!

• http://www.catholic.org/saints/stindex.php
• http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/patron02.htm - alphabetically
• http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/patron00.htm - by topic
• http://saints.sqpn.com/calendar-of-saints/ - by date

ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY

Electronic devices (including but not limited to cell phones, pagers, mp3 players, etc.) may not be used by students for any reason during the Confirmation Preparation Process.  Small group facilitators have been asked to confiscate any visible electronic devices.  All electronic devices will be held by the Confirmation Coordinator or Assistant until the session is complete.  All devices can then be retrieved by an adult parent, guardian or companion at the end of the session.  Please review this policy with your candidate.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

A Daily Prayer for Your Confirmation

O God, I pray that you give me a right heart that I may come to know you in Jesus.

Prayer for the Candidate

May they have the strength of spirit, the power of prayer and force of faith….to live in service, to love with all their hearts and to let God lead them always. Amen.