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[EMAIL LINK]Confirmation – Sealing of the Gifts of Baptism
Confirmation Preparation
Letters have been sent home to families
inviting youth to participate in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2011. If you have received your letter, now is the time to call the Faith Formation Office at 689-9101 to schedule the interview for the youth candidate. Don’t let the summer pass without completing this initial step in the
registration process!
Didn’t get a letter and think you should have? Call Faith Formation and check on the status for your candidate.
En Espanol 
During preparation for Confirmation our aim is to keep in focus the graces and gifts which the sacrament of Confirmation grants to us. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1309, Confirmation leads the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit, in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life.
Sacramental catechesis (the preparation to celebrate the sacrament) is a process of conversion. The primary purpose of preparation is more than the assurance that a candidate “knows enough” to celebrate the sacrament. Rather, we want to emphasize education and formation. Preparation should put people in touch with the sacramental mystery they are about to celebrate in such a way that they are formed, shaped and transformed by that mystery. Sacramental preparation should lead us to ask the question of ourselves, “What difference does this action mean to me and how can I best reflect that difference in my life as a Christian?”
Preparation of Youth
Parents have a primary role in the sacramental catechesis of their children. When you presented your child for baptism you acknowledged your role and your parish community acknowledged their responsibility to assist you in that role. In order to assist you, Nativity Parish structures preparation so that parents and or sponsors may directly participate in the sessions.
Each of the 6 sessions of preparation will begin in our Social Hall. Each session will begin with a presentation on the topic for both parents and students. Breakout sessions for parents and students will follow the topic presentation. By participating in the sessions parents are affirmed in their connection to the life of the Church, renewed in their union with Christ, and participate in a meaningful way with their student during the period of preparation.
Beginning in June, letters are sent to rising 9thgrade youth who have completed a year of religious education in either Nativity Catholic School or parish Faith Formation. The parent or youth then calls the Faith Formation to set an interview appointment with Vicki Hawkins or Pamela Emery, Directors of Faith Formation for the parish. At the time of the interview the youth and parent bring with them a completed registration form. The interview will take approximately 20 minutes and the preparation process is reviewed with the youth and parent. Any questions about the process will be answered at that time. Preparation begins in September and the sacrament is celebrated in January or February of the following year.
Adult Preparation
Adults, age 18 or older are encouraged to contact the Faith Formation office – 689.9101 at any time during the year. Adult classes are formed throughout the year and celebration of the sacrament takes place at various times during the Easter season.
Email Vicki@nativitycatholicchurch.org with questions.
Confirmación– Sella los dones del Bautismo
Durante la preparación para la Confirmación, nuestro objetivo es mantenernos enfocados en las gracias y dones que el sacramento de la Confirmación nos ofrece. De acuerdo al Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, párrafo 1309, la Confirmación lleva alcristianoa una unión más íntima con Cristo y una familiaridad más viva con el Espíritu Santo, con el fin de ser más capaz de asumir las responsabilidades apostólicas de la vida cristiana.
La catequesis sacramental (la preparación para celebrar el sacramento) es un proceso de conversión. El propósito principal de preparación es más que la garantía de que un candidato "sabe lo suficiente" para celebrar el sacramento. Más bien, queremos hacer hincapié en la educación y la formación. La preparación debe poner a las personas en contacto con el misterio sacramental que ellos están a punto de celebrar de tal manera que son formados y transformados por este misterio. La preparación sacramental debe llevarnos a preguntarnos nosotros mismos, "¿Qué diferencia esta acción significa para mí y cuál es la mejor manera de yo reflejar esta diferencia en mi vida como cristiano?"