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    Confirmation 2021 Parent and Sponsor Newsletter - February 21

    2/21/2021

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    THEME: The Gift of Happiness

    Grades 8 & 9
    This week: Candidates meet in their small groups to discuss Module 3: The Gift of Happiness

    Grades 10-12
    ​This week: 
    • Ms. Ingrid and Ms. Rosie's Small Group: Make-Up Meeting to discuss Module 2
    • Ms. Dianne and Mr. Robert's Small Group: Complete Module 3

    Summary

    True happiness comes at a price, and it requires courage to seek it and sustain it. Loving the way God desires us to love is not always easy, but it is a gift worth the commitment. In this module, the young people explore how choosing the path of true happiness takes courage, strength, and resolve.

    The young people discover that the Gifts of the Spirit are actually foundations for a life of happiness.
    ​
    The young people are then invited to explore more deeply with Bishop Frank the places in our society where profound brokenness and injustice exist and to consider how they are called to bring the gift of happiness to others, especially those most in need.

    ​​To support that invitation, the young people are led through a discernment of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to then consider which gifts they most need strengthened in their own life.

    ​The module closes with prayerful reflection on what it means to allow the Holy Spirit, as Pope Francis says, to “draw us into this missionary dynamism, awakening within us the desire, the joy and the courage to offer our own lives in the service of the Kingdom of God” (“Message for the 52nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations”).

    Questions for Conversation

    What is an injustice in the world today that breaks your heart when you see it or hear it?
    In what specific ways might you act to heal that injustice?
    What gift (or gifts) of the Holy Spirit do you think you need the most right now to bring God's love to our hurting world?
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    Choosing a Confirmation Sponsor

    Candidates should by now have watched to Ms. Rosie's video on choosing their Confirmation Sponsor and looked at the Sponsor Reflection Worksheet to start discerning whom they want to choose to be their Sponsor.
    • Sponsor paper work is due on March 26. See details HERE
    If your Candidate does not have anyone close to them who meets the requirements to be a Confirmation Sponsor, do not fret. Please contact Rosie to discuss options. 

    Important Reminder

    To be eligible to receive Confirmation in November of 2021, Candidates must participate consistently and actively in the Confirmation preparation program. This includes:
    • completing the Called to Mercy modules in advance of the small group meeting in which they will be discussed
    • attending all small group meetings with their leaders and peers to process what they are learning in the modules.
    If something happens to prevent your child from attending their small group meeting, such as illness or a family emergency, please contact Rosie and your teen's Small Group leaders.

    Of course we understand that this year has been and continues to be full of significant challenges for our teens and families. These challenges may disrupt your teen's active participation in sacramental preparation at this time. If this is the case, please contact Rosie to discuss options for resuming Confirmation preparation next year. 

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    Confirmation 2021 Parent and Sponsor Newsletter - February 12

    2/12/2021

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    THEME: True Happiness

    Grades 8 & 9
    This past week: Candidates met in their small groups to discuss Module 2: True Happiness
    Next week: Complete Called to Mercy, Module 3: The Gift of Happiness
    Grades 10-12
    ​This past week: Candidates completed Module 2: True Happiness
    ​Next week: Candidates meet in Small Groups to discuss Module 2: True Happiness

    Summary

    God desires our joy and happiness, but happiness (the kind God desires for us) is often confused with the world’s sense of pleasure. This module leads the young people through a discernment and clarification process to arrive at the meaning of true happiness.
    • They are introduced to Pope Francis’s Top Ten Secrets to Happiness, and they reflect on the one they most desire to further incorporate in their own life.
    • Bishop Frank introduces the young people to the teaching “God is Love” and that love is the source and foundation of true happiness.
    • The young people are invited to consider where love is most needed in the world today, and Bishop Frank expands their reflection by inviting them to consider how love is most needed “in the shadows of society” and how we are called as missionary disciples to bring love to those most in need.
    • The young people are further invited to consider how their Confirmation is a calling to be witnesses of God’s love in the world. 

    Questions for Conversation

    What are some things that give you pleasure, or short-term happiness?
    What are some activities that give you joy, or lasting happiness?
    ​Who are the people who give you joy? How do they do that?
    What do the things or people who bring you joy have in common?
    In what ways do you (or can you) bring joy to family and friends? Neighbors? Strangers?
    Who are the people in our community or society who live on the margins?
    What can you do personally to show the love of Jesus  to those on the margins?

    Choosing a Confirmation Sponsor

    Candidates should by now have watched to Ms. Rosie's video on choosing their Confirmation Sponsor and looked at the Sponsor Reflection Worksheet to start discerning whom they want to choose to be their Sponsor.
    • Sponsor paper work is due on March 26. See details HERE
    If your Candidate does not have anyone close to them who meets the requirements to be a Confirmation Sponsor, do not fret. Please contact Rosie to discuss options. 

    Important Reminder

    To be eligible to receive Confirmation in November of 2021, Candidates must participate consistently and actively in the Confirmation preparation program. This includes:
    • completing the Called to Mercymodules in advance of the small group meeting in which they will be discussed
    • attending ALL small group meetings with their leaders and peers to process what they are learning in the modules.
    If something happens to prevent your child from attending their small group meeting, such as illness or a family emergency, please contact Rosie.

    Of course we understand that this year has been and continues to be full of significant challenges for our teens and families. These challenges may disrupt your teen's active participation in sacramental preparation at this time. If this is the case, please contact Rosie to discuss options for resuming Confirmation preparation next year. 
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    Confirmation 2021: Parent and Sponsor Newsletter

    2/6/2021

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    Welcome to our Confirmation 2021 Newsletter for Parents and Sponsors!
    ​
    We are launching this newsletter to help you - parents and sponsors - accompany your teens on their journey to Confirmation. In this weekly newsletter we will offer:
    • summaries of the topics​ teens are exploring in their online curriculum, Called to Mercy, and discussing with their peers and mentors in their Small Groups;
    • questions to engage your teens in conversation; ​
    • reminders of important events and deadlines to help you help your teens stay on track.​

    As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns! 

    ​Blessings,
    Rosie and Stacy

    What's Happening This Week...

    Week of Sunday, February 7

    High School
    • Teens complete Called to Mercy, Module 2: True Happiness
    • Watch the "Choosing Your Sponsor" video 
    • Use the "Confirmation Sponsor Reflection Worksheet" to start praying about whom to choose as a Confirmation Sponsor
    • The video and worksheet are posted on the Confirmation Resources web page 
    Middle School
    • Teens meet in their Small Groups this week to discuss Module 2: True Happiness
    • Watch the "Choosing Your Sponsor" video 
    • Use the "Confirmation Sponsor Reflection Worksheet" to start praying about whom to choose as a Confirmation Sponsor
    • The video and worksheet are posted on the Confirmation Resources web page 
    CALLED TO MERCY - Module 2: True Happiness
    ​
    God desires our joy and happiness, but happiness (the kind God desires for us) is often confused with the world’s sense of pleasure. This module leads the young people through a discernment and clarification process to arrive at the meaning of true happiness.They are introduced to Pope Francis’s Top Ten Secrets to Happiness, and they reflect on the one they most desire to further incorporate in their own life. Bishop Frank introduces the young people to the teaching “God is Love” and that love is the source and foundation of true happiness.
    The young people are invited to consider where love is most needed in the world today, and Bishop Frank expands their reflection by inviting them to consider how love is most needed “in the shadows of society” and how we are called as missionary disciples to bring love to those most in need.
    The young people are further invited to consider how their Confirmation is a calling to be witnesses of God’s love in the world. The module closes with prayerful reflection on the amazing Grace of God.

    Questions for Conversation

    What are some things that give you pleasure, or short-term happiness?
    What are some activities that give you joy, or lasting happiness?
    ​Who are the people who give you joy? How do they do that?

    What do the things or people who bring you joy have in common?
    In what ways do you (or can you) bring joy to others?
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      February 2021

      Quick Links
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      ​Small Group Calendar and Syllabus
    Good Shepherd Catholic Church
    8710 Mount Vernon Highway Alexandria, Virginia 22309
    Phone: (703) 780-4055    FAX:
    (703) 842-8232    Email: office@gs-cc.org
    Office Hours: M-F 9:30am - 5:00pm  Closed Saturday  Open 1st,  3rd and 5th Sundays 8am - 4pm 

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