(MSFF) Confirmation Preparation for 2011-2012
Good Shepherd Catholic Church

Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, form the Sacraments of Initiation that are all intimately connected. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit bestows seven gifts – wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, piety and fear of the Lord – to assist us in our mission and witness.

When we are responsive to the grace of Confirmation and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, we begin to bear the fruits of the Spirit. The tradition of the Church names twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. (Gal 5:22)

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, By the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
–a Traditional Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Your child is taking a serious step as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. As with all Sacraments, Confirmation is an encounter with Christ. Confirmation is the Sacrament that makes possible courageous witness.

In order to support your child's preparation for this Sacrament, Good Shepherd offers your family the following:

Classes

• MSFF Class Schedule
  Topics include: Prayer, The Mass, *Christian Chastity, The Saints, Right to Life, Old Testament, Trinity, Sacrament of Vocation, and Sacraments of Initiation
• Attendance Policy: Good Shepherd presents your child to the Bishop for Confirmation after thorough preparation, resulting from attendance at all Classes, Retreats, Confirmation Rehearsal and Celebration.

Retreat for ALL Confirmation candidates will occur in 8^th grade prior to receiving the Sacrament. Families will have a choice of attending a Retreat on the following dates. Families should submit their first choice of retreat date as soon as possible. Submit via email to msff@gs-cc.org or submit a written request to the Parish Office, Attention: Claudia DiRosario. There will be a maximum number of students registered for each session. Slots will be filled, first-come first-served.

• Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 from 12:00-6:00pm (FULL) OR
• Saturday, Feb 25, 2012 from 12:00-6:00pm

Community Service – Jesus Christ modeled a life of service and we follow His example to grow in our faith. Each candidate will complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service, with a heart demonstrative of the gifts from the Holy Spirit.

Service opportunities and options are listed on our Service Page, and in our Sunday Bulletins. Once you complete ALL your service hours, fill out the Service Hours Form in its entirety and turn in the Form to Claudia DiRosario at the Parish Office no later than Thursday, February 16, 2012.

Reflection Questions – all Confirmation candidates are required to answer four (4) questions thoughtfully and prayerfully with honesty. Candidates must write a one (1) page response (at least 200 words) per question. Responses are due no later than the date noted in MSFF Confirmation Reflections, and may be turned in via email to msff@gs-cc.org or dropped off at the Parish Office.

Sponsor – The candidate's Sponsor must complete the Sponsor Commitment Form and return to Good Shepherd no later than Thursday, November 17, 2011. The form contains the requirements to be a Sponsor. If a Sponsor is unable to attend the Confirmation ceremony, a parent may stand in as a proxy.

Other Preparations Required

• Each candidate must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before being Confirmed. This can be done at a Reconciliation Service, during weekly Confession times, or by making an appointment with a priest.
• ALL Confirmation candidates and their Sponsors will participate in the Confirmation Rehearsal, Monday, April 23, 6:00-7:00pm (for 10:00am Mass); or Tuesday, April 24, 6:00-7:00pm (for 2:00pm Mass). Candidates and their Sponsors must attend. A parent or guardian may stand in for the Sponsor if necessary. If for any reason you are unable to attend your Confirmation Rehearsal time, please call Claudia DiRosario or email msff@gs-cc.org as soon as possible for more information
• Confirmation Celebration, Saturday, April 28, 2012 Bishop Loverde will celebrate Confirmation Mass at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Families should submit their first choice of Mass time as soon as possible. Submit via email to msff@gs-cc.org or submit a written request with a Mass Preference Card to the Parish Office, Attention: Claudia DiRosario. There will be a maximum number of students registered for each Mass. Slots will be filled, first-come first-served.