We are a family of faith-filled disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, living the gospel through worship and service.
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We are a family of faith-filled disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, living the gospel through worship and service. |
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St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church Faith Sharing Journey DUE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 ˙ WORSHIP This is a year of challenge! We are challenged to make renewed efforts to be more Christlike, to put more enthusiasm into living the Gospel, to be genuinely loving to one another. This year, think of the characteristics of the Christian community as based in Acts 2:42-47: The Christian Community worships regularly. The Christian Community serves others in imitation of Christ. The Christian Community sees itself as a community, the Church. The Christian Community gives witness to its faith in word and deed. Using the italicized words above: 1. Write a paragraph or two about how you: Worship regularly in your Christian Community Serve others in imitation of Christ in your Christian Community See yourself as part of your Christian community of St. Edward’s Church. Give witness to your faith in word and deed in your Christian Community 2. What area do you most need to work on as you prepare for Confirmation? Answer this question in writing in complete sentences.
KNOWLEDGE 1. Every week at Mass we make a profession of faith in the words of the Creed. The Creed contains the beliefs of our faith. Read the Creed to yourself. Christians of every century have held strongly to these beliefs. Some have given up their lives to defend them. Ń List at least 8 beliefs that are found in the Creed. Ń Why are these beliefs important to you? Answer this question in writing in a complete sentence.
2. A sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace instituted by Christ to make us holy – or - an outward sign of an inward grade instituted by Christ in which we encounter Him at key points in our journey of life.. Make a chart, listing the seven sacraments and their outward signs and inward graces. For example: Sacrament Outward Sign Inward Grace Baptism Water, Oil New life in the Church, Original Sin is wiped away
COMMUNITY & SERVICE As you begin your year of service in preparation for Confirmation, think about the extra acts of service you can do: v be cheerful at school, go out of your way to be kind to those you find difficult v pay more attention to your studies, put more enthusiasm into your service projects and Confirmation preparation v spend more time with your family v be more respectful to your parents v give some extra time to do things with your brothers and sisters LET THE WORLD SEE YOUR LOVE FOR GOD AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE HIS PEOPLE.
Community is very important in Christian life. It is through others that we come to know God. While the creative power and majesty of God are made apparent to us through the magnificence of nature, it is only through human community that we come to know God’s compassion, kindness, mercy, generosity and love. Jesus commanded us to love one another because he knew that when we share unconditional love, we come to see the face of God. Begin by brining to mind your membership in the most basic human community – the family. © Describe in writing, the members, of your immediate family and any significant members of your extended family, especially those living with you. This is not meant to be a list of your family members, but a description of each family member. You should describe their personality traits.
©
Describe
in writing the ways that you contribute to the healthy functioning of your
family. © You have lived with your family for many years. Using complete sentences, describe two really positive aspects of your family. Then write about an area you can help your family improve.
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church Faith Sharing Journey DUE: OCTOBER 28, 2007 ˙ WORSHIP 1. Using complete sentences, explain your prayer life:
2. Listen carefully at Mass. Reread each of the readings and the Gospel for Sunday, October 7th. For your convenience, a copy of each is included in this packet. Summarize all 3 of the readings separately and give an example of how you or someone you know lives or has lived what the reading is trying to tell us – you can write a summary or draw a picture.
KNOWLEDGE
Answer the following in writing in complete sentences: Ń Baptism is the sacrament by which you were incorporated into Christ and became a member of the Catholic Church. What does baptism mean to you? Ń What does it mean to have life in the Church? Ń Get in touch with your sponsor - You can do this in person, by phone, email or even through a letter. o Ask your sponsor why he or she agreed to be your sponsor. o Together, talk about the responsibility of a sponsor that you both consider most important. o Write down what each of you has said. o Invite your sponsor to be part of this entire year of your faith journey! You can make a copy of this Faith Sharing or you can get a copy from Mrs. Curtis or on the web site (www.stedwardbowie.org). Discuss your reflections with your sponsor each month. This is a wonderful way for you and your sponsor to get comfortable discussing faith issues and how they impact your life. Your sponsor is your role model and support in your Catholic Faith.
COMMUNITY & SERVICE In addition to our family, your “circle of friends” makes up another form of community. Whether you are a person who prefers the company of just a few trusted friends or are a person who loves to be part of a group, friendship communities become very important. Friends are often a great support – and often the source of much tension and pain. While no friend is perfect, real friends want what is truly good for us. Christ’s love abounds in a real friend. Real friends try to walk down the same road that Jesus walked. It is usually less glamorous and appears more difficult and less exciting. But people who live the values Jesus taught find their lives to be joy-filled and anything but dull. © Write a paragraph about your most important friends. Who brings out “the best” in you? Who allows you to “be yourself” and who accepts you for the person you are? Do any of your friends make you feel “inadequate” or behave in ways that make you feel uncomfortable? Try to include a sentence telling in what way this person on is a real friend to you and how Christ’s love is shown in your friendship. Each activity and service project in the St. Edward Confirmation Program falls under at least one of these three categories: Knowledge, Worship, and Service. These together are the foundations of our faith. Not one of these categories can be diminished or erased and still allow you to develop in the Catholic faith. © In writing, list all the things you have done to help prepare for Confirmation so far. Put a star next to the three that mean the most to you.
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church Faith Sharing Journey DUE: NOVEMBER 25, 2007 ˙ WORSHIP We sometimes speak of four ACTS (or types) of prayer. A ADORATION of love We express our love for God C CONTRITION of sorrow We express sorrow for our sins and asks forgiveness T THANKSGIVING We thank God for his many blessings S SUPPLICATION or request We ask for his help, guidance, etc.
A healthy prayer life includes all of these types of prayer. Examine your life of prayer: V Make a chart for EACH DAY for a week write down the prayers you have prayed and tell what type of prayer they are; for example: Day Prayer Type Sunday Glory Be Adoration Personal Prayer Supplication Grace Before Meals Thanksgiving Monday Personal Prayer Adoration Act of Contrition Contrition V Answer the following questions in writing in complete sentences: What type of prayer (not the name of the prayer) do you pray most often? What type of prayer (not the name of the prayer) do you pray least often?
KNOWLEDGE 1. In writing, define each of the following signs of Confirmation and explain how each is used during the Confirmation ceremony. We discussed these at the Parent/Confirmand Retreat on September 22. You can find this information in your handouts from the retreat. V Holy Oil (Chrism) V Sign of the Cross V Bishop V Words (… be sealed…) V Laying on of Hands 2. Read Acts 2:1-12. Answer the following questions in sentence or paragraph format: V What would you have done if you were there? V What kind of Christian do you want to be?
COMMUNITY & SERVICE Take a look at the community of believers with whom you worship – your parish family. Along with your family and friends, St. Edward’s parish is an important source of support as you prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Two of the reasons we celebrate the Rite of Enrollment are: It makes the St. Edward community aware of your preparation and It asks the St. Edward community to support you through prayer and encouragement. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#782) says The People of God is marked by characteristics that clearly distinguish it from all other religious, ethnic, political or cultural groups found in history: - It is the People of God: God is not the property of any one people. But he acquired a people for himself from those who previously were not a people. - One becomes a member of this people not by a physical birth, but by being “born anew,” a birth “of water and the Spirit,” that is, by faith in Christ, and Baptism. - This People has for its Head Jesus the Christ … Because of the … anointing, the Holy Spirit, flows from the head into the body this is” the messianic people.” - The status of this people is that of the dignity and freedom of the sons of God, in whose hearts the Holy Spirit dwells as in a temple. - Its law is the new commandment to love as Christ loved us. This is the “new” law of the Holy Spirit. - Its mission is to be salt of the earth and light of the world. This people is “a most sure seed of unity, hope, and salvation for the whole human race. - Its destiny, finally, “is the Kingdom of God which has been begun by God himself on earth and which must be further extended until it has been brought to perfection by him at the end of time.
WRITE a paragraph about St. Edward the Confessor parish. Begin with the name of the parish and describe important aspects of the faith community. This can include the physical appearance of the church building, specific people who help the St. Edward’s community grow, liturgical music you find meaningful, etc. Also include any way you contribute to the St. Edward’s community, whether through a ministry or through prayer or service to a parishioner.
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church Faith Sharing Journey DUE: December 30, 2007 ˙ WORSHIP Christ came to the earth because he loves you. Answer the following questions using complete sentences: V Read both nativity narratives (Luke, 1,2 and Matthew 1,2). Compare the 2 narratives – what is the same about them, what is different. V What is your favorite part of the story of the Birth of Jesus? Why? You can describe it using complete sentences or draw a picture of it, Advent and Christmas hymns are beautiful prayers. V Find the Christmas hymn you find most meaningful (all of the hymns can be found in the music books at Church). Write a prayer that you can use during Advent using the words of this hymn.
KNOWLEDGE Find out what the joyful mysteries of the rosary are. ? Write them down and tell what they mean. ? Answer the following question using complete sentences. How can saying the Joyful Mysteries help you prepare for Christ’s coming?
Remember, December 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day on which we honor Mary. It is not a holy day of obligation this year, because it is on a Saturday, we still should do something during the day to remember Mary (say an extra prayer). What is the meaning of Mary’s Immaculate Conception? Write your answer using complete sentences.
COMMUNITY & SERVICE Read the first chapter of Luke. Answer the following in complete sentences. Ń How are the people in the Bible story: o Dealing with having to wait o Being open to God o Trusting God o Showing kindness Ń How can you be like the people in the Bible story?
Luke speaks of the Gospel value of simplicity. Answer the following in complete sentences. Ń How can you make this Christmas season simpler, less filled with the business of buying and selling? Ń How do you plan to make Christmas a time for showing love to Christ? To others?
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church Faith Sharing Journey DUE: JANUARY 27, 2008 ˙ WORSHIP Look up 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 and read it aloud. V Evaluate yourself on it. Write down how well you love. V Reread the same selection from Corinthians. This time say your own name in place of the word love. V Write down how you feel now about how well you love. For nine evenings read the following Scripture passages – one different passage each of the nine evenings. Matthew 5:11-12 Luke 4:16-22 John 14:15-17 Matthew 16:24-27 Luke 8:4-15 John 15:18-21, 26-27 Matthew 25:14-30 Luke 10:21-24 John 16:5-7, 12-13 V Write a summary of each reading. V For each passage write using complete sentences or draw a picture of how you can follow Jesus’ words or teachings.
KNOWLEDGE 1. Jesus taught us what we must do to be his followers. His teachings are found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. ? Write down each of the Beatitudes. ? In writing, tell what each beatitude means in your own words. ? Pick one Beatitude – In writing or by drawing a picture tell how you live that Beatitude or how you’ve seen someone else live that Beatitude.
1. In writing, Name our pastor and parish deacons. What are their roles and how do they lead us in living Catholic Christian lives?
COMMUNITY & SERVICE
Answer the following in writing using complete sentences: Ń How do the Beatitudes relate to the attitudes needed for Christian service? Ń Have you been giving service in a cheerful way? Ń How have you reached out to the discouraged, lonely or elderly? Ń List all the things you have done for service so far. Ń Write a paragraph about how the extra acts of service affected you and those in your community.
You are familiar with the main parts of the Eucharistic celebration (the Mass) surrounding the sacrament of Confirmation. Remember the Confirmation rite involves the entire assembly. Those that will gather in the church with you and the other Confirmands are not spectators. They are witnesses to the sacrament of Confirmation and through their own faith, they support and empower you as they have from the time of the Rite of Initiation. The sacrament of Confirmation emphasizes that we are a part of the whole Church, the people of God. In writing and complete sentences, answer the following questions in a paragraph: Ń At the time of your baptism, you became “priest, prophet and king.” These are titles of great importance and they also carry awesome responsibilities. What does it mean to be a “prophet” in today’s world? How can you live as a prophet in today’s world? Ń Many people wonder why the bishop asks the confirmands questions during the homily and become anxious about the questions and the consequences of an incorrect answer. While the ability to answer the questions well is a measure of how well you have prepared for the sacrament of confirmation, this time is not meant as a test. Over the span of your life and sooner than you may expect, you will be called upon to defend your faith to those who are skeptical or unfriendly. The questions merely provide you with the opportunity to defend your faith in the company of your communities of family, friends and faith. Know each witness is their to support you. Now what does it mean to you to be a “prophet” in today’s world?
In the
final blessing from the Rite of Confirmation we are told:
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church Faith Sharing Journey DUE: FEBRUARY 24, 2008 ˙ WORSHIP Remember confession is an incredible gift given to us by Christ. The Sacrament of Reconciliation enriches our spiritual journey with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. V Examine your conscience each day for at least one week (An examination of conscience for teens is attached). Look prayerfully at how you have imitated Christ in your life today. This is between you and God, please do not write down your answers. After you have though about this, pray to the Holy Spirit, asking to be more Christlike. V Make resolutions about how you will be more Christlike and write them down using complete sentences. V At the end of the week, answer this question, using complete sentences: How has a daily examination of conscience helped your spiritual life?
KNOWLEDGE
? Write out the Act of Contrition. ? Resolve to memorize it, if you have not done so previously. ? Write down each of the Ten Commandments. Under each one, write a sentence describing or draw a picture of how you can follow this commandment in your daily life. This is not a summary of the 10 Commandments; you need to look at each one individually.
COMMUNITY & SERVICE Look over the past few months and evaluate how your confirmation preparation is helping you grow in your relationships with Christ, your family, your friends and the Catholic Church. In complete sentences, answer the following questions: Ń When have you been strong and faithful to Christ? Ń When has it been difficult for you to live your faith? Ń What special ways can you be of service to your family?
Scripture tells us that “all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God” (Romans 8:14). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the gifts of the Spirit make us open to “Obeying divine inspirations” (#1831). Ń Reflect on those in one of your communities that you truly admire and respect. Remember: You are a member of the community of your family, your community of friends and your faith community. Look in one of these places for someone you admire. Ń In writing, using complete sentences, describe one individual who is a hero to you. The emphasis is not on accomplishment, but rather on character. Consider the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Ń St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church Faith Sharing Journey DUE: MARCH 30, 2008 ˙ WORSHIP The prayer given to us by Jesus is the Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer. It is a prayer of love and unity, of sorrow for sin and gratitude for God’s mercy. It has been the prayer of Christians throughout the centuries. V Write down each phrase of the Lord’s Prayer. Then write down under each phrase what it means to you.
Jesus told us to “pray always.” For at least one week, each night before you go to bed, spend at least ten minutes reading the Scriptures. This is a way to pray. V Each night identify in writing the passage you have read. V In writing or draw a picture, give an example of how you can live the message in that passage or how you have seen someone else live the message in that passage.
KNOWLEDGE
Answer the following questions by writing in complete sentences: You can find information on www.adw.org ? Who is the bishop that is celebrating your Confirmation Mass? ? Who is the Archbishop in charge of the Washington Archdiocese? ? What do you know about each of them? You can find biographies and information about them on www.adw.org (the Archdiocese of Washington web-site). This answer should be more than just one sentence. ? How do they help the people of our diocese live the Christian life? The Works of Mercy give us examples of how we can live Christian lives. There are 7 Corporal Works of Mercy and 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy. In Writing, list both the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Then, pick one Corporal Work of Mercy and one Spiritual Work of Mercy and give an example of how you can follow it by drawing a picture or describing it in written format.
COMMUNITY & SERVICE Did you ever think of how much service others are constantly offering to you? Remember to look first to those in your family. Using complete sentences answer the following questions: Ń How have others shown Christ to you? Ń How have others reached out to you? Ń For one week, list at least one thing each day for which you are grateful. Ń What are you doing to show you are really interested in being a member of the St. Edward’s faith community? Ń What does it mean to give witness of your Christian faith to those of your own age? Ń How have your parents helped you learn to give witness to others? Ń How has your sponsor helped you? Ń How other Confirmands helped you?
St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church Faith Sharing Journey INSTRUCTIONS
˙ This is your Faith Sharing Journey for your Confirmation year. Each month has two sheets (back and front of paper) of instructions.
All work must be turned in on separate sheets of 8 ˝” x 11” paper. Do not write on the instruction sheets themselves. The Faith Sharing Journey may be either handwritten (try to do your best handwriting – Mrs. Curtis and/or Mrs. Eloshway will read what you hand in) on loose leaf or typed. Please answer all of the questions using complete sentences, not just “yes” or “no”.
Each month the Faith Sharing Journey is due on the last Sunday of each month. It should be turned in when you attend Mass that weekend. All Faith Sharing Journeys must be placed into the folder located on the Confirmation bulletin board in the CCD hall.
Every month on the Schedule, there is Tuesday evening “Faith Sharing Help Session”. This help session can be used if you need help on that month’s Faith Sharing. This help session is also an opportunity to complete the previous month’s Faith Sharing. If you have not handed in your Faith Sharing for the prior month, you will be required to attend the help session. Also, if the Faith Sharing you handed in was incomplete, you will be notified and required to come to the help session. The specific days are September 18, October 16, November 20, December 11, January 15, February 12, March 25 and April 1.
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