Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet: Lent!

St. Paul the Apostle Confirmation Preparation
Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet – Lent

(See “Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Instructions” sheet for additional instructions about this process.)

Candidate’s Name: _______________________________________________

These sheets are to be used as guides for the sharing sessions. The sheets are divided into three sections: Prayer, Knowing My Faith, and Christian Service. The reflections on these three sections can be recorded on the My Reflections pages in the candidate’s journal (or any other notebook/journal). Candidates and sponsors should share the respective topics together, using as much of the sheet as time allows. Candidates then fill out the brief section at the bottom of the page and turn in this sheet to the Religious Education Office.

Prayer
1.) Lent is a time 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 toward one another. This Lent, think of the characteristics of the Christian community. A community: worships regularly; serves others in imitation of Christ; sees itself as a community, the Church; gives witness to its faith in word and deed.
2.) Using the italicized words above, write a paragraph about how you have grown in each of these areas. What area do you need to work on as you prepare for Confirmation?
3.) Participate fully in the parish services of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday) and Easter Sunday. Write your impressions in your journal.

Knowing My Faith
1.) Explain how each of the following relates to Confirmation and what happens to you during the ceremony: holy oil (chrism); Sign of the Cross; bishop; laying on of hands; words such as “Be sealed…”; Confirmation name.
2.) Read the Acts of the Apostles 2:1-12, the story of Pentecost. What would you have done if you were there? What kind of Christian do you want to be?
3.) Make a list of the things you know about Confirmation already. Make another list of questions you may have.

Christian Service
You may wish to think of an extra act of service you can do during Lent: be cheerful at school, go out of your way to be kind to those you find difficult, pay more attention to your studies, put more enthusiasm into your Christian service or Confirmation preparation, spend more time with your family, be more respectful to your parents, give some of your extra time to do things with your brothers and sisters. Let the world see your love for God and your willingness to serve.
God bless you in your faith sharing!

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Candidates - fill out this section and then return form to: St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry Office; 6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, IL 60031 -OR- michelle-stpaul@sbcglobal.net

Date you discussed this sheet with your sponsor: _______________

Which topics (from above) did you discuss with your sponsor? ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________


What did you learn from your sponsor?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet: Advent!

St. Paul the Apostle Confirmation Preparation
Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet – Advent

(See “Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Instructions” sheet for additional instructions about this process.)

Candidate’s Name ___________________________________________________

These sheets are to be used as guides for the sharing sessions. The sheets are divided into three sections: Prayer, Knowing My Faith, and Christian Service. The reflections on these three sections can be recorded on the My Reflections pages in the candidate’s journal (or any other notebook/journal). Candidates and sponsors should share the respective topics together, using as much of the sheet as time allows. Candidates then fill out the brief section at the bottom of the page and turn in this sheet to the Religious Education Office.

Prayer
1.) Christ came to the earth because he loves you. What part of the nativity narrative (Luke chaps. 1-2 and Matthew chaps. 1-2) means the most to you? Why?
2.) Advent and Christmas hymns are beautiful prayers. Find one in a missalette or hymnal. In your journal, copy the words (one verse) of the Advent hymn that you find most meaningful. Use it as an Advent prayer.

Knowing My Faith
1.) Look up the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary and write them in your journal. How can praying the Joyful Mysteries help you prepare for Christ’s coming? (For the Joyful Mysteries, see your book or go to:
http://www.findinggod.org/m_frmwork.asp?id=2689
2.) During Advent, we speak of the three comings of Christ: in history, in mystery, and in majesty. What does each of these terms mean?
3.) Remember, December 8 is the feast of the Immaculate Conception, when we celebrate Mary’s being conceived without original sin. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. What is the meaning of Mary’s Immaculate Conception? (For information about the meaning of the Immaculate Conception, see your book or go to:
http://www.findinggod.org/m_frmwork.asp?id=104801

Christian Service
1.) How do you plan to make Christmas a time for showing love to Christ? To others?
2.) How can you make this holiday season simpler, less filled with the business of buying and selling?

For the "My Mementos" section of your Confirmation Journal
How does your family prepare for Christmas? What special customs do you observe? Do you have any pictures of your family at Christmas to put in your journal?

God bless you in your faith sharing!

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Candidates - fill out this section and then return form to: St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry Office; 6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, IL 60031 -OR- michelle-stpaul@sbcglobal.net
Date you discussed this sheet with your sponsor: _____________

Which topics (from above) did you discuss with your sponsor? __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

What did you learn from your sponsor?
­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Canidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #5

St. Paul the Apostle Confirmation Preparation
Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #5

(See “Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Instructions” sheet for additional instructions about this process.)


Candidate’s Name _____________________________________________

These sheets are to be used as guides for the sharing sessions. The sheets are divided into three sections: Prayer, Knowing My Faith, and Christian Service. The reflections on these three sections can be recorded on the My Reflections pages in the candidate’s journal (or any other notebook/journal). Candidates and sponsors should share the respective topics together, using as much of the sheet as time allows. Candidates then fill out the brief section at the bottom of the page and turn in this sheet to the Religious Education Office.

Prayer
1.) Look up in a Bible: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, and read it aloud. Evaluate yourself on it. How well do you love? Reread the same passage, but this time say your own name wherever it uses the word love.
2.) Each night for the next week., look up one of the following Scripture passages and write a summary of it in your journal:

Matthew 5:13-16-----Luke 4:16-21-----John 14:23-26
Matthew 16:24-25-----Luke 8:4-15-----John 14:15-17
Matthew 25:14-30-----Luke 10:21-24-----John 15:11-17

Knowing My Faith
1.) Who is your bishop? What do you know about your bishop? How does he help the people of your diocese live the Christian life? (For information about the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago, go to: http://www.archchicago.org/cardinal/cardinal.shtm --or---
http://www.archchicago.org/thearchdiocese/cardinal_george.shtm
2.) Discuss what you have learned about the structure of the Church (pope, bishops, priests, lay people, etc.).


Christian Service
What are you doing to show you are really interested in being a member of this faith community?

For the "My Mementos section" of your Confirmation Journal
Find out something about the bishop who will confirm you. (For information about Bishop Francis Kane, go to: http://www.archchicago.org/thearchdiocese/bishop_francis_kane.shtm

God bless you in your faith sharing!

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Candidates - fill out this section and then return form to: St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry Office;6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, IL 60031 -OR- michelle-stpaul@sbcglobal.net

Date you discussed this sheet with your sponsor: _______________

Which topics (from above) did you discuss with your sponsor?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

What did you learn from your sponsor?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

Canidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #4

St. Paul the Apostle Confirmation Preparation
Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #4

(See “Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Instructions” sheet for additional instructions about this process.)

Candidate’s Name:
___________________________________________________

These sheets are to be used as guides for the sharing sessions. The sheets are divided into three sections: Prayer, Knowing My Faith, and Christian Service. The reflections on these three sections can be recorded on the My Reflections pages in the candidate’s journal (or any other notebook/journal). Candidates and sponsors should share the respective topics together, using as much of the sheet as time allows. Candidates then fill out the brief section at the bottom of the page and turn in this sheet to the Religious Education Office.

Prayer
--If you are serious about your spiritual life, set aside time each day to examine your conscience. This means looking prayerfully at how you have or have not imitated Christ. After you have looked at your life, pray to the Holy Spirit, asking him to help you be Christlike in your thoughts, words, and actions. Do this each night this week. Write in your journal a resolution to follow Jesus better the next day. Examine your conscience each night. (For an Examination of Conscience, see your book or go to:
http://www.findinggod.org/m_frmwork.asp?id=2686)

Knowing My Faith
1.) It is good to look over the past weeks and evaluate how your Confirmation preparation is helping you grow in your relationships with Christ, your family, your friends, and the Church. When have you been strong and faithful to Christ? When has it been difficult for you to live your faith?
2.) Write in your journal the Act of Contrition. Resolve to memorize it, if you have not already done so. (For the Act of Contrition, see your book or:
http://www.findinggod.org/m_frmwork.asp?id=7068)
3.) Write the Ten Commandments in your journal. Under each one, write how that commandment helps you show love for God or others. (For the Ten Commandments see your book or go to:
http://www.findinggod.org/m_frmwork.asp?id=2780)

Christian Service
1.) How can you be a Christian healer or peacemaker at home this week?

God bless you in your faith sharing!

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Candidates - fill out this section and then return form to: St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry Office; 6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, IL 60031 -OR- michelle-stpaul@sbcglobal.net
Date you discussed this sheet with your sponsor: _______________

Which topics (from above) did you discuss with your sponsor?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

What did you learn from your sponsor?
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Canidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #3

St. Paul the Apostle Confirmation Preparation
Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #3

(See “Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Instructions” sheet
for additional instructions about this process.)


Candidate’s Name: ___________________________________________________

These sheets are to be used as guides for the sharing sessions. The sheets are divided into three sections: Prayer, Knowing My Faith, and Christian Service. The reflections on these three sections can be recorded on the My Reflections pages in the candidate’s journal (or any other notebook/journal). Candidates and sponsors should share the respective topics together, using as much of the sheet as time allows. Candidates then fill out the brief section at the bottom of the page and turn in this sheet to the Religious Education Office.

Prayer
-- 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 of gratitude for God’s mercy. It has been the prayer of Christians throughout the centuries. Write the Lord’s Prayer in your journal. Pause after each phrase and really think about the meaning. Write your reflections in your journal. Jesus told us to “pray always.” This week, each night before you go to bed, try to spend at least 10 minutes reading the Scriptures. Write a reflection in your journal after each night’s reading. Date each entry.

Knowing My Faith
1.) Jesus taught us what we must do to be his followers. His teachings are found in the Sermon on the Mount (Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7). Write the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) in your journal. What do they mean to you? (For the Beatitudes, see your book or:
http://www.findinggod.org/m_frmwork.asp?id=7072)
2.) So far, how well have you been involved in the preparation for Confirmation?
3.) Who are your pastor and parish priests? What are their roles? Does your parish have a deacon? What is his role in the Church?

Christian Service
1.) How do the Beatitudes relate to the attitudes needed for Christian service? Have you been serving others in a cheerful way?
2.) How have you reached out to the discouraged, the lonely, or the elderly?

For the "My Mementos" section of your Confirmation Journal
-- Have your parents or sponsor helped you with your Christian service? Draw a picture of yourself giving service. Glue it in your journal.
God bless you in your faith sharing!

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Candidates - fill out this section and then return form to: St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry Office; 6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, IL 60031 -OR- michelle-stpaul@sbcglobal.net

Date you discussed this sheet with your sponsor: ______________

Which topics (from above) did you discuss with your sponsor? __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

What did you learn from your sponsor? __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Canidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #2

St. Paul the Apostle Confirmation Preparation
Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #2

(See “Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Instructions” sheet #1 for additional instructions about this process.)

Candidate’s Name:
___________________________________________________

These sheets are to be used as guides for the sharing sessions. The sheets are divided into three sections: Prayer, Knowing My Faith, and Christian Service. The reflections on these three sections can be recorded on the My Reflections pages in the candidate’s journal (or any other notebook/journal). Candidates and sponsors should share the respective topics together, using as much of the sheet as time allows. Candidates then fill out the brief section at the bottom of the page and turn in this sheet to the Religious Education Office.

Prayer----We sometimes speak of the four ACTS of prayer.

A---Adoration or love------- We express our love for God.
C---Contrition or sorrow------- We express our sorrow for our sins and ask forgiveness.
T---Thanksgiving------- We thank God for his many blessings.
S---Supplication or request-------- We ask for his help and guidance.

A healthy prayer life includes all of these approaches. Examine your prayer life. What approach do you use most often? Least often? For a week keep track of the prayers you use.

Knowing My Faith
1.) What does it mean to give witness of your Christian faith to those of your own age? How have your parents helped you? How has your sponsor helped you? How have other candidates helped you?
2.) Baptism is the sacrament by which you were incorporated into Christ and became a member of the Church. Ask your sponsor why he or she agreed to be your sponsor. Together, talk about the responsibility of a sponsor that you both consider most important.

Christian Service
1.) Find one incident in the Gospels that shows Jesus helping others. What do you learn about him in the incident? How can you imitate him in a similar way?

For the "My Mementos" section of your Confirmation Journal
1.) Do you have a picture of your parish church? (Check the parish website.) Paste it in your journal. Write the feast day of the church below it.
2.) What new things have you learned about your parish?
God bless you in your faith sharing!

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Candidates - fill out this section and then return form to: St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry Office; 6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, IL 60031 -OR- michelle-stpaul@sbcglobal.net
Date you discussed this sheet with your sponsor: _______________

Which topics (from above) did you discuss with your sponsor? __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

What did you learn from your sponsor? __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #1

St. Paul the Apostle Confirmation Preparation
Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Sheet #1

(See “Candidate/Sponsor Faith Sharing Instructions” sheet for additional instructions about this process.)

Candidate’s Name:
___________________________________________

These sheets are to be used as guides for the sharing sessions. The sheets are divided into three sections: Prayer, Knowing My Faith, and Christian Service. The reflections on these three sections can be recorded on the My Reflections pages in the candidate’s journal (or any other notebook/journal). Candidates and sponsors should share the respective topics together, using as much of the sheet as time allows. Candidates then fill out the brief section at the bottom of the page and turn in this sheet to the Religious Education Office.

Prayer
1.) When do you pray? How do you pray?
2.) What does prayer mean to you?
3.) How will you try to grow in prayer during this time of preparation for Confirmation? Be specific, but realistic. Don’t try to do too much and then give up.

Knowing My Faith
--Every week we make a profession of faith in the words of the Nicene Creed. This Creed contains the beliefs of our faith. Read over the creed. Christians of every century have held strongly to these beliefs. Some have even given up their lives to defend them. Why are these beliefs important to you? (For the Creed, see your book or go to:
http://www.findinggod.org/m_frmwork.asp?id=7055

Christian Service
1.) As a Christian, which spiritual or corporal works of mercy have you practiced at home? In your neighborhood? At school? (For the works of mercy, see your book or go to:
http://www.findinggod.org/m_frmwork.asp?id=2791
2.) How do you plan to continue showing your faith and love through service?

For the "My Mementos" section of your Confirmation Journal
1.) You have begun more serious preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Put into your journal the research you have done on the saint whose name you have chosen for Confirmation.
2.) If you have a picture of the saint and a prayer that the saint has written, include them, too.
3.) Do you have a picture of your sponsor and yourself? Glue the picture in your journal.

God bless you in your faith sharing!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Candidates - fill out this section and then return form to: St. Paul the Apostle Youth Ministry Office; 6401 Gages Lake Rd., Gurnee, IL 60031 -OR- michelle-stpaul@sbcglobal.net
Date you discussed this sheet with your sponsor: ___________

Which topics (from above) did you discuss with your sponsor? ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

What did you learn from your sponsor? ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________