Introduction
Sacramental Preperation: Confirmation
Sponsor Information
Sponsor Expectations
Confirmation Requirements Agreement
1. Understanding of the Catholic Faith
The Creed
The Sacred Liturgy
The Christian Way of Life
Examination of Conscience
The Precepts of the Church
Christian Prayer
The Our Father
Section 1 Checklist
2. Experience of Christian Living
Prayer
Good Works/Service
Service Reflection Questions
Involvement in the Parish Community

Confirmation as the completion of Baptism is the sacramental sign of the gifts of the Holy Spirit by which the baptized are sealed to be more like Christ and more complete members of His church.
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, those who have been born anew in Baptism receive the inexpressible Gift of the Holy Spirit, by which they are endowed with special strength. Moreover, having received the character of this sacrament, they are bound more intimately to the Church and they are more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith both by word and by deed as true witnesses of Christ. (Constitution on the Church, 11 and Canon 879)

DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO / * ST. CHARLES PARISH
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION: CONFIRMATION
310 Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and its celebration is a component of the catechesis and liturgical life of adolescents, including those with special needs.

311 Candidate Readiness Criteria:

1. BAPTISM: One must be validly baptized to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation
(Canon, 889.1)
* A COPY OF THE BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE MUST BE ON FILE AT THE
CATECHETICAL CENTER OFFICE *

2. DULY INSTRUCTED AND IN THE STATE OF GRACE: if the baptized person has the use of reason, it is required that he or she be in the state of grace, properly instructed, and able to renew his or her baptismal promises.

3. AGE: Fifteen is the minimum age for Confirmation in the Diocese of San Diego. (The Pastor has final say on age for a particular parish)

* AT ST. CHARLES PARISH THE AGE IS AT LEAST 16 YEARS OLD/ OR 15 AND
A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AT THE TIME OF CONFIRMATION *

4. PROPER DISPOSITION for reception of Confirmation should be evidenced by:
a) a stated personal desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation;

b) a willingness to more firmly witness to Christ by word and action;

c) an acceptance of the responsibility to be an active member of the Church, to continue to mature in faith, and to spread and defend the faith according to one's ability.

5. EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIAN LIVING prior to Confirmation should be
demonstrated by:

a) faithful participation in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist;

b) a commitment to ongoing human and spiritual growth and development through prayer and good works;

c) involvement in the parish community.

312 Candidates for Confirmation are required to be properly instructed and to evidence an understanding of the Catholic faith appropriate to their age. This means that they
should have integrated all their years of catechesis and acquired an appreciation of
what the Church teaches. As a minimum, candidates are expected to show competence in the following four areas of Christian catechesis as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

- the Creed in which the Christian mystery is the object of faith;
- the Sacred Liturgy, in which the Christian mystery is celebrated and
communicated in liturgical actions;
- the Christian way of life, in which the Christian mystery is present to enlighten
and sustain the children of God in their actions; and
- Christian prayer, in which the Christian mystery is the basis for our prayer, the
privileged expression of which is the Our Father, and it represents the object of
our supplication, our praise and our intercession.

313 Each parish is responsible for developing a process whereby the readiness of individual candidates - including persons with developmental disabilities - to enter into
preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be determined.

314 After determination of readiness, the candidate is expected to participate in immediate short-term preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation at the parish.

315 As far as possible, there should be a (one) sponsor for each of those to be confirmed.

316 To be a Confirmation sponsor, a person must:
1. be at least 16 years of age and sufficiently mature for this responsibility;

2. be a Catholic who has been confirmed, has already received First Eucharist
and is leading a life in harmony with the faith and role to be undertaken;

3. not be one of the candidate's parents; and

4. not be prohibited by law from exercising the role of sponsor.

SPONSOR INFORMATION

315 As far as possible, there should be a (one) sponsor for each of those to be confirmed.

316 To be a Confirmation sponsor, a person must:

1. be at least 16 years of age and sufficiently mature for this responsibility;

2. be a Catholic who has been confirmed, has already received First Eucharist and is leading a life in harmony with the faith and role to be undertaken;

3. not be one of the candidate's parents; and

4. not be prohibited by law from exercising the role of sponsor.

It is desirable that the godparent at Baptism also be the sponsor at Confirmation.

This expresses more clearly the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation and also

makes the function and responsibility of the sponsor more effective.

Mindful that each candidate may have only one sponsor, sponsors should be chosen

because they are willing and able to help those to be confirmed to faithfully fulfill their

baptismal promises under the influence of the Holy Spirit. If members of the same parish

or locality, they should be ready to oversee or assist in the adequate formation of the

candidates and guide the newly confirmed to an active role in the life and mission of the

local faith community.

SPONSOR EXPECTATIONS

1. Meet with the candidate and discuss faith issues. There are questions designed especially for this in the Apprentice Program Manual for Confirmation Sponsors. This gives the sponsor an excellent opportunity to share their faith with the candidate.

2. Show support through prayer and good works.

3. Share their own faith journey with the candidate.

4. Be a role model through the example of their life as an adult Catholic, especially
through weekly participation in the Sunday celebration of Eucharist.

5. Participate in the following:
- the candidate/sponsor evening of prayer
- the Confirmation rehearsal
- the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation.

CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AGREEMENT

I attended the informational meeting for Confirmation on
___________________________________.

I am aware of the requirements that need to be completed in order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Charles Parish.

I understand that if I have any questions concerning the requirements I can call the Youth Office at 575-2241 and ask for clarification.

I realize that each candidate is assessed on an individual basis; taking into account the individual's age and background.

I know that should the competency be proven at the individual interview the candidate is required to attend all sessions of the Confirmation Period of Enlightenment.

I understand that the Final Interview to prove competency can take place at any time once the candidate has completed the necessary requirements.

I understand that the Final Interview must take place before___________ to be accepted into the Confirmation Period of Enlightenment in ________.

My goal is to be Confirmed in MAY ________.

____________________________________________________________
(Individual preparing for Confirmation) Sign & Print Name

____________________________________________________________
(Parent/Guardian/Sponsor) Sign & Print Name

Name______________________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________

City & Zip___________________________________________________________

Phone # _______________________

SECTION 1
UNDERSTANDING OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH

312 Candidates for Confirmation are required to be properly instructed and to evidence
an understanding of the Catholic faith appropriate to their age. This means that
they should have integrated all their years of catechesis and acquired an appreciation of what the Church teaches.

As a minimum, candidates are expected to show competence in the following four areas of Christian catechesis as found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1. - the CREED in which the Christian mystery is the object of faith;

THE APOSTLES' CREED is so called because it is rightly considered to be a faithful summary of the apostles' faith. It's great authority arises from this fact: it is "the Creed of the Roman Church, the See of Peter, the first of the apostles to which he brought the common faith. (called creed because the first word in Latin is credo - "I believe")

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son
our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin
Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.



He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge
the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

- that the one, all-powerful, all good, and infinite God in whom we believe consists in the mysterious unity of three equal and co-eternal Divine Persons: God the Father, God the Son who is our Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit;
the Holy Trinity

- that God the Father created us as good along with all things in the universe, and loves and cares for us and for all His creation;

- that God the Father, as a remedy for human sin and rebellion, out of love sent His only Son to save us;

- that God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, was sent by the Father to become one with us in taking on a complete human spirit, soul and body;

- that by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ was miraculously born of a virgin, Mary of Nazareth;

- that Jesus saved us from sin and death through offering to the Father His own life in our place, dying painfully on a cross in Judea in the first century, when sentenced to death by a Roman official, Pontius Pilate;

- that this same Jesus, dead and buried in a tomb, on the third day after his death was raised to new life and glory by the Father;

- that God the Holy Spirit was sent by the Father and Jesus His Son to live among us, to swell in our hearts and minds and share God's love and truth with us, leading and guiding us to the Father through Christ Jesus;

- that the Spirit unites us to Jesus and to each other as His Body, His People, and His Church, forming us into a communion of saints who love and serve God and one another both on earth and in heaven, until Christ comes again;

- that we are forgiven when we turn away from sin and join ourselves to the Lord Jesus through Baptism, the Eucharist, the other sacraments, and by seeking to faithfully follow His way of life;

- that through the action of the Father, Son and Spirit, we will one day be raised bodily like Jesus to share eternally in the life of the Holy Trinity.

- I believe

LITURGY - The word "liturgy" originally meant a "public work" or a "service in the name of/on behalf of the people." In christian tradition it means the participation of the people of God in "the work of God." Through the liturgy Christ continues the work of our redemption with and through his Church.

PASCAL MYSTERY (Passover Mystery) - The Church believes in the celebration of the saving work of Jesus in a sacred commemoration. Once each week on the
Lord's Day the Church keeps the memory of the Lord's resurrection. In the course
of the year, the Church unfolds the whole mystery of Christ.
- The Paschal Mystery (the Mass)
Liturgy of the Word
Liturgy of the Eucharist

LITURGICAL YEAR - In the liturgical year the various aspects of the mysteries of
Christ unfold. In celebrating this annual cycle we commemorate the beginning of
our salvation and its fulfillment in the Passover of Jesus and the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit.
- the Liturgical Year
Advent
Christmastime
Ordinary Time
Lent
Triduum
Eastertime
Ordinary Time

SACRAMENTS - The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the
Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. Sacraments are effective signs of grace,
instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is given to
the faithful. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify
and make present the graces suitable to each sacrament.
- the seven Sacraments of the Church
Baptism
Eucharist
Confirmation
Reconciliation
Anointing of the Sick
Matrimony
Holy Orders

3. - the CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE, in which the Christian mystery is present to
enlighten and sustain the children of God in their actions;

BEATITUDES - The Beatitudes are at the heart of Jesus' preaching. They depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life.

- the BEATITUDES Matthew 5:1-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are the sorrowing, for they shall be consoled.

Blessed are those of low status; they shall inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for holiness,
for they shall have their fill.

Blessed are they who show mercy, for mercy shall be theirs.

Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall see God.

Blessed, too, are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of holiness, for the kingdom of god is theirs.

MORALITY/MORAL CONSCIENCE -Because we are members of the Body whose
Head is Christ, Christians contribute to building up the Church by the faithfulness
of their convictions and their moral lives. The Church increases, grows, and
develops through the holiness of the faithful.

SOCIAL JUSTICE - Society ensures social justice when it provides the conditions
that allow associations or individuals to obtain what is their due, according to their
nature and their vocation. Social justice is linked to the common good and the
exercise of authority.

TEN COMMANDMENTS - The gift of the commandments is part of the covenant
God sealed with his people. They express the implications of belonging to God
through the establishment of the covenant. They express man's fundamental duties
towards God and towards his neighbor. Obedience to the Commandments is
unchanging.

- the TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. I, the Lord, am your God.
You shall not have other gods besides Me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not tell lies against your neighbor.

9. You shall not desire your neighbor's wife.

10. You shall not desire anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Examination of Conscience
Based on the Ten Commandments

1. Did I fail to love God... to pray? Have I doubted or denied my Faith?
Was I careless in saying my prayers? Do I put other things before God
in my life? (money, school, friends, popularity, sex, alcohol, drugs)

2. Did I curse or swear? Did I use God's name in vain: lightly...carelessly?
Do I use profane language? Do I listen to songs that use profane language?
Do I wear a cross to show my belief in God or as jewelry?

3. Have I missed Mass through my own fault? On Sundays? On Holy Days?
Was I late for Mass or did I leave early without a good reason?
Was I easily distracted at Mass? Do I stand in back or sit outside?

4. Do I honor and obey my parents? Others with lawful authority?
Have I talked back? Failed to help at home? Been sad or sour?
Neglected my religious education? Failed to spend time with my family?

5. Was I angry... resentful... kept hatred in my heart?
Did I fight, or give bad example? Do I treat others with dignity?
Did I use mean words or actions to harm another person, to "kill" their spirit.

6. Did I consent to impure glances? Passionate kisses? Sinful touches?
Was I immodest in dress or behavior? Did I read impure books or magazines?
Do I attend movies that promote adultery or premarital sex?

7. Did I steal? What or how much? Did I return it or make equal compensation?
Did I waste time at school, at home, at work? Am I stingy?
Have I supported my church regularly?

8. Have I lied, gossiped? Talked about another behind their back?
Do I always tell the truth? Am I sincere? Am I critical , negative or
uncharitable in my talk?
Did I reveal secrets that should have been kept confidential?

9. Have I consented to impure thoughts?
Have I caused them by stares, bad reading, bad movies, curiosity or impure
conversations?

10. Is my heart greedy? Am I jealous of what another has?
Am I envious of another because I don't have what they have?
Is my heart set on earthly possessions or on the true treasures in heaven.

- the PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH

The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life
bound to - and nourished by - liturgical life. The mandatory character of these
positive laws is meant to guarantee to the faithful the necessary minimum in the
spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:

1. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

-requires the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Christian community gathers together on the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord, and participation in the principal liturgical feast which honor the mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the saints.

Holy Days of Obligation:

Solemnity of Mary - January 1
Ascension of the Lord - 40 days after Easter
Assumption of Mary - August 15
All Saints Day - November 1
Immaculate Conception of Mary - December 8
Christmas - December 25

2. You shall confess your sins at least once a year.

- ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the
sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of
conversion and forgiveness.

3. You shall humbly receive Holy Communion at least during
the Easter season.

- guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Pascal feast, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.

4. You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.

- ensures the times of self discipline and penance which prepare us
for liturgical feasts

FAST & ABSTINENCE

1. Fasting is the limitation to one full meal and two lighter meals in
the course of a day, with no food in between meals. (adults 16-60)

2. Abstinence generally refers to the avoidance of meat on a given
day. (age 14 - throughout life)

3. Days of Fast & Abstinence are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.

5. You have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church,
each according to their abilities.

6. You shall proclaim the Gospel and continue the Church's mission
in the world.

- In order that the message of salvation can show the power of its
truth and radiance before all people, it must be authenticated by
the witness of the life of Christians.

4. - CHRISTIAN PRAYER, in which the Christian mystery is the basis for our prayer, the
privileged expression of which is the Our Father, and it represents the object of
our supplication, our praise and our intercession.

"Great is the mystery of faith!" This mystery requires that the faithful believe in
it, that they celebrate it, and that they live from it in a vital and personal
relationship with the living and true God. This relationship is prayer.

FORMS OF PRAYER:
- Blessing and Adoration
- Prayer of Petition
- Prayer of Intercession
- Prayer of Thanksgiving
- Prayer of Praise

EXPRESSIONS OF PRAYER:
- Vocal Prayer
- Meditation
- Contemplative Prayer

THE LORDS PRAYER
- Jesus "was praying at a certain place, and when he ceased one of
his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught
his disciples.'" (Luke 11:1) In response to this request the Lord
entrusted to his disciples and to his Church the fundamental
Christian prayer.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
"OUR FATHER!"

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be thy name;

Thy kingdom come; thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil.

Amen.

- that Jesus by grace shares with us his
relationship to God as Father;

- that through Jesus we become children
of God destined to share in His
Kingdom;

- that the Kingdom of God as the
expression of God's will for us is the
object of Christian hope;

- that Christians look to God both for
spiritual nourishment of the Eucharist
and for daily strength to live out their
Christian vocation;

- that God's offer of forgiveness is an
essential element of the Gospel message
and that Christians must mirror that
forgiveness in their own lives;

- that prayer, including petionary prayer,
is an essential element of Christian
living and a necessary aid to salvation.

- I believe

____ I am able to say the Apostles Creed and explain in my own words the Catholic Doctrine stated in the prayer.

____ I understand the Mass, can explain the parts of the Mass and the
Liturgical Seasons.

____ I can name the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church and explain them.

____ I can explain the Beatitudes and their importance in living a Christian life.

____ I understand Christian Morality and how to form my Moral Conscience.

____ I know and can explain the churches teaching on Social Justice.

____ I can say the Ten Commandments and explain how I use them to make
decisions in my everyday life situations.

____ I can say the Precepts of the Church, including the Holy Days of Obligation
and days of fast and abstinence.

____ I am able to list the 3 expressions of prayer. As part of my spiritual growth
I have tried to experience each expression of prayer. I have written my
reflections on my experiences in my prayer journal.

____ I am able to list the 5 prayer forms. I have written a personal example
of each prayer form in my prayer journal.

____ I am able to say the Lord's Prayer - Our Father and explain in my own words
the Catholic doctrine stated in the prayer.

My goal is to complete Section 1 by _______________________.

SECTION 2
EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIAN LIVING

311 Candidate Readiness Criteria:

5. EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIAN LIVING prior to Confirmation should be
demonstrated by:
a) faithful participation in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist;
b) a commitment to ongoing human and spiritual growth and development
through prayer and good works;
c) involvement in the parish community.

- FAITHFUL PARTICIPATION in the sacraments of Reconciliation
and Eucharist;
- regular attendance at Sunday Mass
- attend the parish Advent and Lenten Reconciliation services

- a commitment to ongoing human and spiritual growth and development
through PRAYER and GOOD WORKS/SERVICE;

PRAYER:

1. RETREAT EXPERIENCE (for youth - optional for adults)
attend a three day youth retreat sponsored by St. Charles parish
and write your reflection of the experience in your prayer journal

Retreat dates: _________________________________

_________________________________

Retreat reflections: (to be completed in your prayer journal)
1. Something important I learned about Jesus during this retreat was...
2. Something I learned about me was...
3. Something I want to change about myself as a result of the retreat - 4. What I liked best about the retreat was ...

2. DAY OF PRAYER (for adults)
spend an entire day (8am-5pm) devoted to prayer and reflection and write your reflection of the experience in your prayer journal

Day of Prayer reflections:
- use the statements above substituting Day of Prayer for retreat

Day of Prayer sites: ask about information for a private day of
prayer, you may want to ask about speaking with a
spiritual director to help plan your day

Prince of Peace Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery
650 Benet Hill Rd, Oceanside, Ca. 92054
(619) 430-1305/430-1306
(weekday Mass 11:00am)

Mission San Luis Rey, Franciscan
4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside, Ca. 92068
(619) 757-6359

3. PRAYER JOURNAL

A prayer journal will be used to reflect on your spiritual development as you prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Your prayer journal may be a "blank book", an artist notebook, or a special binder. It should be set aside as your prayer journal for Confirmation only.

1. Throughout this booklet there are reflection questions to be
completed in your prayer journal.

2. The following questions should be answered on a weekly basis in your prayer journal.

- How have I seen God working in my life this week?
- What was my moment when I felt closest to Christ?
- How is my relationship with God? (am I spending time in prayer)
- How is my relationship with my friends? (am I an example of good Christian witness)
- How is my relationship with my family? (am I living my faith)
- How am I working to bring Christ to others through my actions?

* The weekly prayer journal should be started immediately following
the Informational Meeting and continued throughout the time you
prepare for Confirmation *

GOOD WORKS / SERVICE
WORKS OF MERCY - The works of mercy are charitable actions by which
we come to the aid of our neighbor in their spiritual and bodily necessities.

- SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY
Instructing
Advising
Consoling
Comforting
Forgiving
Bearing wrongs patiently

- CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY
Feeding the hungry
Clothing the naked
Visiting the sick and imprisoned
Burying the dead
Giving alms to the poor

- INDIVIDUAL SERVICE COMMITMENT

As Christians the works of mercy call us to action. Each candidate for
Confirmation is expected to offer service on an individual basis. This
service commitment should be long term (over a period of months). This
individual service can be given at home, within the parish, or in the local
community.
When you have completed your long term service commitment you will
answer the service reflections in your prayer journal.

- COMMUNAL OR GROUP SERVICE COMMITMENT

As Christians we are called to work together as a community. Jesus sent
his apostles out in groups of two. As a Christian community we are
challenged by Christ to use the power we have as a community to make
the world a better place. Each candidate for Confirmation is expected to
offer service within the group setting. This communal or group service
should be long term (over a period of months).

This communal or group service may be done with a group of other youth
or adults through the parish organizations, youth ministry, school
projects/organizations (i.e. Key club) or with a group within the local
community.

When you have completed your long term service commitment you will
answer the service reflection questions in your prayer journal.

SERVICE REFLECTION QUESTIONS

Connecting with Experience
- Look back on the experience. What struck you most strongly? What
happened? What images stand out in your mind? What sights and sounds, touches and smells? What was happening in your heart? What did you feel?

Connecting with People
- Look back on the experience. Who did you meet and work with? What
did you learn about the people you met? What did you learn abut yourself through your service?

Connecting with Issues
- Look back on the experience. How did the experience change or challenge your convictions and beliefs? What needs did your service involvement try to meet?

Connecting with Faith
- Look back on the experience. How was God present in what happened within and around you? How were you God for others? Choose a scripture story from the New Testament and explain how the scripture story connects with your service. Explain how the scripture has new meaning for you as a result of your service experience.

Connecting with the Future
- Look back on the experience. What did you learn that will help you in
your service work in the future? Did the service experience affect how
you'd like to live? What you'd like to do by way of job or career?

INVOLVEMENT IN THE PARISH COMMUNITY;

The precepts of the Church call us to provide for the needs of the Church
and to continue the Church's mission. The Parish community here at St.
Charles encompasses over 3,000 families. Many of the services and
programs depend on the involvement of the people of the parish. Your
involvement is an important part of your commitment to the Catholic faith that you will embrace at Confirmation.

Opportunities for Involvement:

- attend Youth Ministry activities
- help with Children's Ministry
Liturgy of the Word for Children Sun. 10am Mass
become a Catechist assistant
- Pre-school Sun. during 10am Mass
- elementary Sat. 9am-11am
- specific involvement in parish liturgies
Lector
Usher
Greeter
Altar Server
Choir Member
- Parish Organizations
(see the cover of the Sunday bulletin for a list)
- Parish events, Spring Bazaar - St. Charles school Halloween Carnival

Candidates must present documentation of their involvement in St. Charles
parish community.

I have been involved with:


SECTION 2 WILL BE COMPLETED WHEN I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE FOLLOWING:

____ I have faithfully participated in the sacraments of Reconciliation and
Eucharist.

____ I have attended a 3 day parish sponsored youth retreat or day of prayer and
completed the reflection questions in my prayer journal.

____ I have continued to write regularly in my prayer journal throughout the time
I have been preparing for Confirmation.

____ I have completed my individual service commitment and answered the
service reflection questions in my prayer journal.

____ I have completed my communal/group service commitment and answer service reflection questions in my prayer journal.

____ I have been involved in the St. Charles parish community and have
documentation to show the areas in which I was involved.

My goal is to complete section 2 by _____________________.

SECTION 3
PROPER DISPOSITION

311 Candidate Readiness Criteria:

4. PROPER DISPOSITION for reception of Confirmation should be evidenced by:

a) a stated personal desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation;

b) a willingness to more firmly witness to Christ by word and action;

c) an acceptance of the responsibility to be an active member of the Church, to continue to mature in faith, and to spread and defend the faith according to one's ability.

-PROPER DISPOSTION

The Confirmation candidate will write a letter to Fr. Fernando Ramirez, the pastor of St. Charles parish. This letter provides an opportunity for the
candidate to show their commitment to the Catholic faith. It is also a means by which Fr. Dennis can come to know the youth of the parish. Fr. Ramirez will present the candidates to the bishop during the Confirmation liturgy. It is fitting that he receive the testimony of each candidate's personal desire to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.

The letter to Fr. Ramirez should be typed, (double spaced) and include the
following information.

- Why do you want to receive the sacrament of Confirmation?
- Why do you want to be a full member of the Catholic faith?
- How have you prepared to receive the sacrament? (be specific,
discuss your service commitment, etc)
- How are you putting your faith into practice?
(besides going to Mass on Sunday)
- How do you plan to continue to witness to Christ by your word and actions?
- How will you continue to be involved in St. Charles parish community?
- What will you do to accept the responsibility to be an active
member of the Catholic Church?

SECTION 3 WILL BE COMPLETED WHEN I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE FOLLOWING:

____ I have written my letter to Fr. Ramirez stating my personal desire to receive
the sacrament of Confirmation. (generally a well written letter is 1 1/2 - 2
pages long)

____ I have had my sponsor or parent proof-read the letter to check for spelling,
grammatical errors and content.

____ I have typed the letter (double spaced) and asked my sponsor or parent to
proof-read the typed letter.

____ I will bring the completed typed letter (signed) to the competency interview.

My goal is to complete Section 3 by ________________________.

SECTION 4
DETERMINATION OF READINESS

313 Each parish is responsible for developing a process whereby the readiness of individual
candidates - including persons with developmental disabilities - to enter into
preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be determined.

COMPETENCY INTERVIEW
- Those who are preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation at St. Charles parish
will complete a competency interview to determine their readiness to become
a Confirmation candidate and begin final preparation for receiving the sacrament.

The interview to determine competency can be completed at any time during the
year prior to the final cut-off date in the spring.

* Please call the Youth Ministry office - 575-2241 to receive the final cut-off date for the year you are planning to be ready for Confirmation.

- For ______ the Competency Interview must be completed by __________________.

** It is the responsibility of the adult, or youth and their family to make
arrangements for the Competency Interview.

If the Competency Interview is not completed BEFORE the cut-off date specified it will be assumed that the adult/youth has decided to defer Confirmation to the
next year.

THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET AND WRITTEN WORK MUST BE COMPLETED AND BROUGHT TO THE COMPETENCY INTERVIEW.

- the adult/youth should be registered in the Confirmation preparation
program at St. Charles

- Baptism certificate must be on file at the Catechetical Center

- the minimum age requirement is 16 or 15 and a Sophomore in High School at the time of Confirmation

- completed Apprentice Program Manual for Confirmation Sponsors

- proven competence in understanding of the Catholic faith
(Section 1)

- experience of Christian living (Section 2)
- completed prayer journal
- retreat/day of prayer reflection
- service reflection
- involvement in St. Charles parish

- proper disposition, letter to Fr. Fernando Ramirez
(Section 3)

SECTION 4 WILL BE COMPLETED WHEN I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE FOLLOWING.

____ I have completed sections 1-3.

____ I have made an appointment for my Competency Interview with the
Confirmation Coordinator.

My goal is to complete Section 4 by ____________________________.

My Competency Interview is _________________________-_____________.
date time

SECTION 5
IMMEDIATE PREPARATION FOR CONFIRMATION

314 After determination of readiness, the candidate is expected to participate in immediate short-term preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation at the parish.

CONFIRMATION PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT
This is the short-term preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation at St. Charles
parish. The candidate must attend all sessions of the Confirmation Period of
Enlightenment. This includes the Rite of Enrollment, the Candidate/Sponsor Evening of Prayer and the Confirmation rehearsal.

* Schedule/Calendar can be found on the Period of Enlightenment Page

SECTION 6
CONFIRMATION

CONFIRMATION
The date for Confirmation is determined by the bishop's office in the Fall of each
year. The date will usually be mid-late May. (near or on Pentecost)

The 3 choices for ______ are:

1.____________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________

3.____________________________________________________