The Sacrament of Confirmation

“Come Holy Spirit and enflame our heartswith the fire of divine love!”

2015-2016Saint Agnes Catholic Church

Arlington, Virginia

SAINT AGNES CHURCH1910 N. Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22207-3016

703-525-1166 (voice) 703-243-2840 (fax)www.saintagnes.org

November 30, 2016

Dear Parents of Confirmation Candidates,1

Greetings in Christ. We look forward to accompanying your family as you prepare your son/daughter to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our goal throughout this time of preparation is that your child and family will grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus and his Church, and the parish community of St. Agnes.

The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens us and obliges us to be witnesses to Christ by word and deed and to spread and defend the faith. To this end, preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian towards a more intimate union with Christ and more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit- his actions, his gifts, his inspirations. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1309)

We ask that you assist your child in going over the pages in this packet. Please review this packet with your child, as you are his/her primary teacher. There are essential parts of this packet that are time sensitive, and must be filled out and turned in at various times throughout the process of preparing for Confirmation.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Frederick Edlefsen Rev. Rich MiserendinoPastor Parochial Vicar

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Confirmation Essentials and General Instructions“It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the Sacrament of

Confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. (CCC 1302)

Greetings in Christ and welcome to the Saint Agnes Confirmation program. This section of the program outlines the basic “need-to-know” information for Confirmation parents and candidates at the Parish. We’ve made some updates and changes to the program, and hopefully this section will be of help in guiding you through them.

Introduction:

The Sacraments are tangible signs of God’s love for us and real transformative forces in our life. They are a participation in God’s own life, which is a tremendously generous gift. Because love is free or it is not love at all, God’s gifts in the Sacraments can only be freely and willingly received. Confirmation in particular is the Sacrament which perfects the gift we’re given in baptism; it strengthens our faith, fills us with the life of God through the Holy Spirit, and gives us a mission to share the Gospel in the world. It is the gift of a commission, a gift to be a disciple and a missionary. Confirmation is NOT becoming an adult in the Church, but is rather a necessary initial step towards that goal. It IS an opportunity for the candidate to make their faith “their own”.

We as a Church have a duty to God in ensuring that His gifts are understood and respected and to each candidate to ensure that they’re reasonably prepared, freely willing and ready to receive the gift of Confirmation. To that end, we as a community look for signs of readiness from the candidates. These signs are an outward, observable measure which indicates an inward readiness to receive Confirmation. As such, we ask that candidates meet the following requirements as expressions of their readiness to receive the Sacrament.

Signs of Readiness to Receive Confirmation:

1) Regular Mass attendance (All Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation). The program for encouraging this habit and maintaining accountability is detailed below.

2) Selection of a patron saint and submission of a paper outlining who the saint is and why he or she was chosen.

3) Selection of a Confirmation sponsor and completion of the sponsor eligibility form.

4) 15 hours of community service and a short paper reflecting on this experience.

5) Completion of the Parent/Sponsor/Candidate Questionnaire.6) Completion of Steps 1-5 by August 1, 2017

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7) An interview with the Parish Priest in the Summer of 2017.8) Participation in the Confirmation Retreat in Fall 2017.9) Participation in the Confirmation Rehearsal and Liturgy.

Details and specific requirements for each of these “signs of readiness” can be found in subsequent sections of this packet. A summary list of these tasks and dates for completion follows immediately after this section. All dates are flexible and helpful suggestions EXCEPT August 1, 2017, the Final Due Date for ALL Materials in 1-5.

August 1, 2017 is the fixed, firm, non-negotiable and ultimate deadline for all Confirmation materials in 1-5 above. Registration for the Confirmation Retreat in the Fall of 2017 will only be allowed upon successful submission of all materials in 1-5 by the August 1, 2017 deadline. If materials are not submitted by this time, it will be taken as a sign that the candidate is not ready to receive Confirmation at this time, the candidate will not be permitted to register for the retreat and will be required to wait until next year to receive the Sacrament.

Priest Interview and Retreat Details:

As part of the preparation for Confirmation, each candidate will have a 15 minute interview with either of the two Saint Agnes Priests in the Summer of 2017. These interviews are usually done in groups of three candidates at a time. The schedule for these interviews will be decided at a later date, based on Priest and candidate availability.

The subject matter of the interview will be a general knowledge of the faith. There is a section of this packet entitled “Our Catholic Faith: Things to Know” which will help give guidance in regard to what to study. All candidates should own a Bible and a Catechism, as they will be useful in preparing for this interview.

The Confirmation Retreat is also a wonderful opportunity to spend a day in prayerful preparation for receiving this Sacrament. All candidates will be required to complete the Retreat as a sign of readiness to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Details for the Retreat will be forthcoming, and depend on the number of candidates as well as the date for Confirmation given to us by the Diocese. Please stay tuned for details in this respect.

New Additions and Updates to the Program:

Regular Mass Attendance Program:

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Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is an essential part of our Faith, and essential to preparation for Confirmation. It is our God-given way of fulfilling the Commandment to keep Holy the Sabbath. To encourage this habit of Mass attendance, all candidates are required to meet Fr. Rich Miserendino or Fr. Edlefsen (or a delegate) in the back of the Church by the Saint Agnes Statue at the beginning or end of Mass each Sunday to receive a small “Holy Card” and to check in. The Holy Card will contain an image and prayer of a saint that we’ll be celebrating in the next week. Thus, it will help the candidates in getting to know different options for patron saints and keep in touch with the prayer of the Church. It will also help the Priests to get to know the names of the candidates and help them to better grow in their Faith. The whole process should take mere minutes each Sunday.

Candidates who cannot make it to Mass at St. Agnes on a given Sunday may fulfill the requirement by bringing Fr. Rich a bulletin from the Church where they attended Mass while traveling, etc.

This policy will begin on Sunday, January 1, 2017, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Candidates who have failed to check in for more than two weeks in a row will receive a personal phone call from Fr. Rich, enquiring if they would still like to continue to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Further absences from Mass will be taken as a sign that a candidate is not ready to receive Confirmation, and that candidate will be required to wait until the next year to progress.

Parent/Sponsor/Candidate Questionnaire:

The Questionnaire portion of the Confirmation packet has been reworked from two sets of 30+ questions to the current set of 10 topics. Each topic has a 7-10 minute YouTube video associated with it, and is meant to provide food for thought and conversation between parents or sponsors and their children/candidates. It is also a way for both adults and children to learn about their faith and to bring attention to the various media resources which have good Catholic content. The questionnaire will generally take between 2-3 hours to complete. Thus it might be better to split it into segments and handle it over the course of several days.

Proposed means of preparing for Confirmation:

The final addition to the program is an optional plan for prayerfully preparing and studying for Confirmation. It is a suggestion and is not mandatory. It divides the content of our Faith to be learned and lived among the seven months between December 1, 2016 and August 1, 2017. Each month has weekly suggested prayer topics and definitions, scripture to meditate on, and

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a monthly Confirmation goal in terms of paperwork or service hours. Parents and candidates should feel free to use this entire framework, make variations as they please, or ignore it entirely.

The goal of creating the above plan is to give parents and candidates a tool to grow in their faith, and to minimize busywork and rote memorization in preparation for the Priest interviews.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation: Due Dates and Other Important Calendar Notices

Due by January 31, 2017€ Patron Saint Form & Reflection Paper

Each candidate is asked to write a brief reflection paper on the Saint who they have chosen as their patron, intercessor and companion.

Due by February 28, 2017€ Sponsor Certificate of Eligibility Form

The candidate is required to select a person to be his or her sponsor. The sponsor must complete the Sponsor Certificate and his/her pastor must sign it.

Due by March 31, 2017€ Sponsor/Parent/Candidate Questionnaire

Using the list of questions provided, each candidate is asked to work with their parents or sponsor to answer each question. Answers should be typed up on a separate piece of paper.

Due by April 30, 2017€ Service Hours

Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). These service hours are meant to represent the candidates' intentions of becoming full members of the Church, which is a servant community in imitation of our Lord.

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Due by May 31, 2017€ Service Reflection Paper

Each candidate is asked to complete a report on their experience completing their Service Hours. More detailed information is included in this packet.

Due by August 1, 2017 - All of the above. Nothing may be outstanding by this date in order for the candidate to register for the Confirmation Retreat.

Summer 2017€ Final Confirmation Meeting with the Parish Priests

Each candidate will meet with one of the parish priests during the summer preceding Confirmation. More information regarding dates will be available in the months to come.

Fall 2017€ Confirmation Retreat

In early fall, the Confirmation Class will participate in a Confirmation Retreat. More details will be available in the summer of 2016 for your planning purposes.

(Continued on next page)

€ Confirmation RehearsalAttendance is required at the Rehearsal for the candidate for Confirmation as well as one adult. Sponsors are not required to attend; however, if they are available, they are highly encouraged to attend. This rehearsal will be scheduled for the week of the Confirmation Liturgy.

€ Confirmation LiturgySaint Agnes Parish is scheduled to have a fall Confirmation. The date of the Confirmation Liturgy is set by the Diocese and we will provide it to you as soon as we are made aware of the date.

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Our Catholic faith: Things to KnowThese topics are necessary knowledge for preparation for Confirmation.

Please ensure that your child knows and can explain these aspects of our faith. Definitions and helps can be found via google or in the Catechism.

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17):

1. I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.3. Remember to keep holy the LORD ’s 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 bear false witness against your neighbor.9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12):Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Cardinal Moral Virtues (Virtues are Stable Habits to Do Good)Cardinal Moral Virtues are habits that lead to good natural human action. They are:

Prudence Temperance Fortitude Justice

Theological Virtues

Theological Virtues specifically direct us to God and lift up the other virtues above to be filled with God’s life. They are:

Faith Hope Love

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Gifts of the Holy Spirit (The Gifts of the Spirit Perfect the Virtues Above)WisdomCounselUnderstanding

KnowledgePietyFear of the Lord

Courage

Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy“Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto Me.” Matthew 25:31-46

Corporal Works of Mercy

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Feeding the hungry. Counseling the doubtful.Giving drink to the thirsty. Instructing the ignorant.Clothing the naked. Admonishing sinners.Sheltering the homeless. Comforting the afflicted.Visiting the sick. Forgiving offenses.Visiting the imprisoned. Bearing wrongs patiently.Burying the dead. Praying for the living and the

dead.

The Seven Sacraments

Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Confession Holy Orders MatrimonyAnointing of the Sick

Prayer of St. Augustine

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,that all my thoughts may be holy.

Act in me, O Holy Spirit,that all my work too may be holy.

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,that I love but what is holy.

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,to defend all that is holy.

Guard me then, O Holy Spirit,9

that I always may be holy.

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A Suggested Confirmation Plan: Preparing for the Sacrament

This is a Suggested Roadmap to Preparing to Receive the Sacrament

This portion of the Confirmation packet was revised to create a suggested monthly “plan” for candidates to grow in their faith and prepare for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in the fall. It should be stressed that this system is a proposal and not a requirement. The due-dates for the goals are also suggestions, with the exception of the final date, August 1st, which is fixed.

Each month is divided into four weeks, with one item to be memorized and prayed for each week of the month. The structure is as follows: - Each month has a Confirmation-related scripture verse suggested for

meditation - Week One details a Cardinal Moral Virtue or a Theological Virtue - Week Two details a Gift of the Holy Spirit which perfects the virtue

from week one. Weeks Three and Four reflect on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

- Each month ends with a goal for some part of the Confirmation preparation requirements, such as a due date for service hours or picking a patron saint.

For each week of the month, the candidate is encouraged to write both the Scripture verse of the month and that week’s virtue and definition on an index card or post-it note. On a separate index card/post-it, he or she can also write a short prayer asking God for that week’s virtue or gift, or the grace to be attentive to that week’s work of mercy and to carry it out.

A sample prayer for the virtues or gifts:

“Come Holy Spirit, help me to grow in your virtue/gift of ______. Today give me eyes to see where you want me to grow in this way, and the strength and grace to accept the challenge.” - - - Then an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be (or similar).

A sample prayer for the Corporal or Spiritual Works of Mercy:

“Come Holy Spirit, help me to be attentive to the needs of others in my life today. I pray especially for the grace to help those in need of _______. Especially I pray for [insert sick or deceased etc here].

- Then an Our Father, a Hail Mary and a Glory Be (or similar).

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The candidates should feel free to write their own prayers if desired. Once written out, the candidate can stick those index cards on their bathroom mirror and pray/read it while brushing their teeth in the morning and evening, thus developing a habit of reading scripture and praying for virtue.

DecemberConfirmation Scripture for Study: Acts 2:1-8 (Pentecost)

Week One: Virtue of the Month:

Prudence - The virtue that enables us to know and choose what is the right or best course of action in any situation, especially in difficult or challenging ones. Prudent people have the good habit of choosing the best course of action regardless of what comes their way.

Details:

Prudence involves seeing what is really good and true in life (God and us getting to heaven), and then thinking “What are the best steps to get me there?” If life were a road trip to New York, Prudence would help you make the decision to go left or right at each turn based on whether or not it would get us to our destination.

Week Two: Gift of the Spirit which Perfects the Virtue of the Month:

Counsel - The gift of the Holy Spirit where God gives your heart and mind “advice” about the best thing to do in a tough situation, and then encourages you to make that decision.

Week Three: Corporal Work of Mercy for the Month:

Feeding the Hungry - Pray for the grace to see Christ hungry in your midst. Think of ways to help those people.

Week Four: Spiritual Work of Mercy for the Month:

Counsel the Doubtful - Pray for confidence in your Faith, and the grace to share it with others!

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December Confirmation Work Goal (Due December 31st [Nothing to Submit here]):

Ask 3-5 friends or family members about their favorite Saint. Write down what they say and why. Come up with a list of 3-5 of your own Saints you’re considering for your Confirmation patron. Start thinking about sponsors too. Talk with your parents and friends about what makes a good sponsor and who you should choose.

JanuaryConfirmation Scripture for Study: Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes)

Week One: Virtue of the Month:

Temperance - The virtue that enables us to find balance in our attraction to and use of stuff we enjoy. Temperant people have the good habit of choosing just enough of what they enjoy, and never have too much or too little of a good thing.

Details:

Temperance involves keeping ourselves and our appetites in check and realizing that there can be too much of a good thing as well as too little of a good thing. Temperance helps us see what’s truly good for us and master our instincts to choose what is in our best interest. It helps us not to be distracted from God and our goal of Heaven by other things.

Week Two: Gift of the Spirit which Perfects the Virtue of the Month:

Fear of the Lord - The Holy Spirit gives the gift of Fear of the Lord (Which just means knowing and believing that God is all good and powerful) to help perfect Temperance by putting all good things in perspective and asking: Is this just right to get me to God?

Week Three: Corporal Work of Mercy for the Month:

Giving Drink to the Thirsty - Pray about getting involved! Consider volunteering at a Soup Kitchen!

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Week Four: Spiritual Work of Mercy for the Month:

Instruct the Ignorant - Learn something new about your faith each day this week so you have something to share with others. Pray for grace to help you learn.

January Confirmation Work Goal (Due January 31st in RE Office):

Patron Saint Form and Reflection Paper: Each candidate is asked to write a brief reflection paper on the Saint who they have chosen as their patron, intercessor and companion.

FebruaryConfirmation Scripture for Study: Exodus 20:1-17 (The Ten Commandments)

Week One: Virtue of the Month:

Fortitude - The virtue that enables us to do or say the right thing when faced with difficulty, fear, persecution, or even death. Fortitude is also called “Courage”. Courageous people are able to overcome their fears and difficulties and do what is good and right in any area of life.

Details:

Fortitude is the virtue that helps us stand up for our Faith and our friends and family. Having fortitude means realizing that there are good things worth sacrificing and sometimes even suffering for. Fortitude helps us make those necessary efforts and sacrifices when needed. The love of God is the highest of these good things, but there are plenty of others as well.

Week Two: Gift of the Spirit which Perfects the Virtue of the Month:

Courage - The Holy Spirit’s gift of Courage helps with Fortitude by giving us the extra grace to witness to Jesus and make tough decisions or sacrifices in our life, especially when challenged.

Week Three: Corporal Work of Mercy for the Month:

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Clothe the Naked - Pray for eyes to see how much you’ve been blessed with, and give thanks for those blessings. See what clothes you might be able to donate to the local shelter.

Week Four: Spiritual Work of Mercy for the Month:

Admonish Sinners - Pray for the courage to speak up when you see someone acting wrong. Think about ways to do this kindly and respectfully.

February Confirmation Work Goal (Due February 28th in RE Office)

Sponsor Certificate of Eligibility Form: The candidate is required to select a person to be his or her sponsor. The sponsor must complete the Sponsor Certificate and his/her pastor must sign it.

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MarchConfirmation Scripture for Study: Matthew 25:31-46 (The Works of Mercy)

Week One: Virtue of the Month:

Justice - The virtue that enables us to give what is due to God and neighbor. The Just person always seeks to give each person what they ought to have, treating their neighbors with love and God with respect and worship.

Details:

Justice involves seeing all people as created in the image and likeness of God, and thus with dignity. Justice helps us to see others as worthy of love and respect, and to give them that love and respect as their due. It also helps us to see our lives as gifts from God, and helps us give God thanks for that gift by prayer and penance, most particularly by attending Mass on Sundays.

Week Two: Gift of the Spirit which Perfects the Virtue of the Month:

Piety - The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of piety to help us perfect Justice. Piety helps us to know that God really is our Father in heaven, and gives our hearts the ability and desire to love and respect him as his children.

Week Three: Corporal Work of Mercy for the Month:

Shelter the Homeless - Pray for those who are homeless in our area, and find out about ways our Church serves the homeless in Northern Virginia. Get involved!

Week Four: Spiritual Work of Mercy for the Month:

Comfort the Afflicted - Pray for those in your life who may be suffering either from illness or depression or other problems. Consider making them a card to let them know of your prayers.

March Confirmation Work Goal (Due March 31st in RE Office):

Sponsor/Parent/Candidate QuestionnaireUsing the list of questions provided, each candidate is asked to work

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with their parents or sponsor to answer each question. Answers should be typed on a separate piece of paper.

AprilConfirmation Scripture for Study: Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)

Week One: Virtue of the Month:

Faith - The virtue that enables us to know and believe God is real and trust what he tells us about himself and ourselves. The faithful person knows God loves us and calls us to life in heaven.

Details:

Faith involves believing that there’s more to life than meets the eye. In fact, the faithful person knows that the most important things in life: Truth, Goodness, Beauty, Love, ultimately can’t be seen or measured. Through Faith we know that all good things come from God and turn to him in love and thanks.

Week Two: Gift of the Spirit which Perfects the Virtue of the Month:

Knowledge and Understanding - The Holy Spirit gives us the gifts of Knowledge and Understanding to better know God through Faith and to understand what our Church teaches about him.

Week Three: Corporal Work of Mercy for the Month:

Visiting the Sick - Pray for those who are sick or in the hospital or a nursing home. Plan to visit one of those people in the next few weeks.

Week Four: Spiritual Work of Mercy for the Month:

Forgiving Offenses - Pray for those in your life who regularly make you angry or upset. Ask God for the grace to forgive them and to seek forgiveness where you might have done wrong as well.

April Confirmation Work Goal (Due April 30th in RE Office):

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Service HoursJesus came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matthew 20:28). These service hours are meant to represent the candidates' intentions of becoming full members of the Church, which is a servant community in imitation of our Lord.

MayConfirmation Scripture for Study: Galatians 5:22-23 (The Fruits of the Holy Spirit)

Week One: Virtue of the Month:

Hope - The virtue that enables us to trust that God loves us, know that he prepares a place in heaven for us, and rely on God to work in our lives to get us there. The Hopeful person is confident in Faith that God is at work in his or her life, and seeks to help that work each and every day.

Details:

Hope conquers despair. It doesn’t always mean feeling good or happy, but it means knowing that God can and will work through everything in our lives to make us Saints and bring us to Heaven.

Week Two: Gift of the Spirit which Perfects the Virtue of the Month:

Fear of the Lord - The Holy Spirit gives us Fear of the Lord to help perfect Hope by reminding us that God has everything under control and can redeem and transform even the worst evils of our world into a greater good.

Week Three: Corporal Work of Mercy for the Month:

Visit the Imprisoned - Pray for those who are in prison for crimes or throughout the world because of persecution.

Week Four: Spiritual Work of Mercy for the Month:

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Bear Wrongs Patiently - Pray for the strength to be able to suffer the unkindness or anger of others without reacting negatively. Pray for patience in dealing with people who might not understand what you’re saying or where you’re coming from.

May Confirmation Work Goal (Due May 31st in RE Office):

Service Reflection Paper Each candidate is asked to complete a report on their experience completing their Service Hours. More detailed information is included in this packet.

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JuneConfirmation Scripture for Study: John 3:16 (God so loved the world…)

Week One: Virtue of the Month:

Love - The virtue that enables us to love God above all things and by loving God, to truly love our neighbor as ourselves. Love (or Charity) enables us to really desire what is good (God first and then other things) and will that good for our neighbor and do what is necessary to bring it about.

Details:

The virtue of Love is the greatest of all the virtues. It leads us to seek our good in God and seek the good of our family and friends through good works and sacrifice. It helps us to love our neighbor with the love we’ve received from God.

Week Two: Gift of the Spirit which Perfects the Virtue of the Month:

Wisdom - The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of Wisdom to perfect love. Wisdom is the gift of knowing how all things can be ordered and perfected in God. The Holy Spirit gives us Wisdom to help us see how we can grow closer to God in Love and help our neighbors to do the same.

Week Three: Corporal Work of Mercy for the Month:

Bury the Dead - Pray for those in your family and friends who have passed away. Consider visiting a cemetery where your loved ones are buried to pray for them, or consider attending a funeral at St. Agnes to help comfort a grieving family.

Week Four: Spiritual Work of Mercy for the Month:

Pray for the Living and the Dead - Pray for all those in your life who you think might need some grace and to grow in the love of God. Consider letting them know you’re praying for them and why!

June Confirmation Work Goal (Due August 1st in RE Office):

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Submit all Unfinished Goals to the Religious Education Office and then Sign up for an Interview with the Priests and Register for the Retreat!

ASSORTED PAPERWORK AND INSTRUCTIONS

This section contains all necessary paperwork and further instructions for Confirmation requirements.

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Religious Education Office • 1910 N. Randolph St. • Arlington, VA 22207-3046

Sponsor Certificate for the Sacrament of ConfirmationPlease return this completed form to the Religious Education Office. This form is to be signed by the sponsor and his/her pastor or another priest of

their parish. Please make sure the seal of the parish is present at the bottom of the form.

This is to certify that I,First Middle Last

Sponsor’s name

a registered member of in ,Parish name City State

accept the invitation to be the sponsor at the Confirmation of

Candidate’s name

In accepting this responsibility, I state all the following: • I am at least 16 years of age.• I have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist in the

Catholic Church.• If married, my marriage is recognized by the Catholic Church.• I attend Mass regularly on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and receive the

Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Penance regularly.• I am not a parent of the Confirmation candidate.• I understand and accept the responsibility which I undertake as a Sponsor and I

promise to be a support and example that reflects the spirit and teaching of the Roman Catholic Church and I am prepared to assist the Candidate by my support, encouragement and prayer.

• Should I be unable to attend the Confirmation Mass, I will designate a proxy. I will inform the religious education office of the full name of the proxy.

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Sponsor’s Printed Name Sponsor’s Signature

PRIEST’S CERTIFICATION

This is to certify thatSponsor’s name

is a registered member of this parish in good standing and to the best of my knowledge, is capable of assuming the duties and responsibilities of the role of Sponsor.

Name of PriestName of Parish (Please imprint seal

here)

Signature of Priest Date

Sponsor Certificate“Candidates for Confirmation, as for Baptism, fittingly seek the spiritual help

of a sponsor.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1311)

The Form can be found on the following page and should be returned the Religious Education Office by February 28, 2017`. This form is to be signed

by the sponsor and his/her pastor or another priest of their parish and include the raised seal or stamp.

THE ROLE OF THE CONFIRMATION SPONSOR

Like the godparents chosen at Baptism, sponsors “must be firm believers, able and ready to help (the Confirmed) on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial function… bearing some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism.” (CCC 1255) Like parents and godparents, they share in the responsibility for the salvation of the young soul entrusted to them.

Because our life on earth is “a pilgrimage to the Father which takes 23

place primarily in the heart” (Pope John Paul II, The Trinity’s Embrace), the sponsor should be a Catholic who loves and lives his or her faith and continues to grow in the knowledge of the Catholic faith. This is evident in a person who spends time in daily prayer and frequent encounters with Jesus in the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. Consequently, the sponsor’s heart reflects the tender and affectionate love of the hearts of Jesus and Mary and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, providing a living example of joyful Christian life.

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Patron Saint“We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses' (Hebrews 12:1)

WHO ARE THE SAINTS? They are God’s faithful children. Saints are ordinary people who, while the lived on earth, were “viewed as faithful witness to faith in Jesus Christ….those who lived a life of prayer and self-denial in giving witness to Christ, whose virtues were recognized and publicly proclaimed in their canonization as saints….model(s) and intercessor(s) to the Christian faithful….”[Catechism of the Catholic Church 828]

CHOOSING A SAINT. A patron saint is chosen by each person preparing for Confirmation, who will become a special friend, intercessor and patron on life’s journey to heaven. The candidate “takes” the saint’s name adding it to his or her own name. (E.g. “Mary Jane Agnes Smith).

• The patron saint should be different than the given names of the Confirmation candidate, since he/she already has as patron saints any saint associated with his/her name.

• The name chosen may be either that of a Saint (canonized) or Blessed (beatified). The saint’s name is identified from the Roman Martyrology, the list of all the saints of the Church.

• On Confirmation day, the Bishop will address the candidates individually with their new name (e.g. “‘Agnes’ or ‘Luke’, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.”) It is important to put a lot of thought into this choice!

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Patron Saint Form & Reflection Paper“We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses' (Hebrews 12:1)

PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO YOUR TEACHER BY JANUARY 15, 2017

Please print all information legibly.

Candidate’s Name Date

School Name of Religion Teacher

The saint I have chosen to be my Confirmation saint is

Name of Saint/Classification (eg. Martyr, Bishop, Virgin, religious, priest, Pope, etc)

My saint is the patron ofThe saint died on

Month, day, and year

or approximately onApproximate date / year / century, if exact death is not available for this saint.

The saint’s feast day isMonth and day

I will make every effort to:• pray for my saint’s intercession; • imitate his or her virtues;• go to Mass each year on this feast

day;• Read what he or she has

written.

Signature of Candidate

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Patron Saint Reflection PaperDue by January 31, 2017

Be sure to include:

1. A Summary of the life of Patron Saint2. Seek to answer the following questions: a. What event in the life of the saint impressed you? Why? b. Name one way this saint showed love for others? Explain. c. How can you emulate this saint today. Be specific. 3. References

In writing the summary of the life of the patron saint, use books, articles, and stories or lessons that you have already learned about your Saint. Please avoid using Wikipedia, as it may be an unreliable source. There are many sources which are available in the library in the Religious Education office.

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Parent/Sponsor/Candidate Questionnaire“Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an

explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Each candidate should set aside time with a parent or their sponsor to 1) watch the videos linked in each topic below, 2) discuss what interested you and what you

learned and write at least one complete sentence in response to each, detailing a) something you learned or found interesting, b) questions you still have, and c)

respond to any specific question(s) included in each topic. (3-5 sentences minimum) Please type all responses and be sure to include

your name and class. Please save document on your computer.In electronic copy place your cursor over the highlighted sentence, press

CTRL and left click on your mouse.

Warning: This will take 2-3 hours to complete. It may be best to handle this exercise in pieces over the course of several days.

10) We Catholics believe that God exists and created all that we know and experience in life. We believe that God is our ultimate heart’s desire.

11) God is one God in Three persons, the Trinity. We believe that this Trinity IS Love, and that love is the foundation of the Universe.

12) God loves us all as a father loves his children, and loves you in particular. What are some signs of this love in your life?

13) Jesus is the Son of God who was sent to lead us to eternal life. What are some ways to give thanks for this gift?

14) Jesus saves us from sin and shows God’s love for us. What is sin? Baptism washes away our original sin and makes us members of the Church.

15) Confession is the Sacrament where Jesus forgives us our sins and makes us worthy to receive him in the Eucharist.

16) God sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and make us live in the love and life of God in the Church.

17) You’re preparing for Confirmation, one of the Seven Sacraments in which the Holy Spirit completes and perfects our baptism and makes us missionaries.

18) Our Faith has real consequences for how we live our life, and being Catholic means living in a particular way. What are some ways that you

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can live out your faith?

19) As Christians, our goal is to enjoy God in Heaven and to be saints. God wants to make you into a saint. What are some good ways to help God make you into a saint? Daily prayer seems like a good place to start!

SERVICE PROJECT“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of

mine, you did for me.”(Matthew 25:40)

The Service Project will be designed by the Confirmation candidate and approved by both parents and teachers. The project will require fifteen (15) hours of service and should incorporate some corporal and the spiritual works of mercy (listed below). These hours should include 5 hours in service to family, 5 to the parish, and 5 to the larger community.

Opportunities for the Parish service hours will be sent to your families via email from the RE Office from time to time, when opportunities become available. Also, our Parish Middle School youth ministry program, IGNITE, will over an opportunity in the Spring for Service Hours at the Parish.

At least 15 hours should be recorded on your service sheet (Attached). If you choose to do more, that is all the better! Your log must be approved and signed by your teacher and a parent. These hours are to be completed and the log is to be submitted to the parish by April 30, 2017

SERVICE PROJECT IDEAS

In the local community: • Visit Cherrydale Health & Rehabilitation Center (703) 243-7640

• Converse with one or more of the elderly patients.• Make cookies for them.

• Pray every week in St. Agnes Perpetual Adoration Chapel for a dying patient, that God will give them the grace of dying in his love.

• Check Volunteer Opportunities at any of the following locations: • Catholic Charities www.ccda.net• Volunteer Arlington (703) 228-1760• CHRIST HOUSE 703-549-8644

http://www.ccda.net/programs_christhouse.php• AFAC; Arlington Food Assistance Center, 703-845-8486,

www.afac.org

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For the local community: • Organize a food, clothing or toiletries drive• Mow lawns and/or do chores for elderly neighbors, and pray a rosary

daily or/weekly for them.• Hold a diaper Drive for Hope of Northern Virginia

HOPE@hopeinnova.org (703) 536-2020• Organize “Nickels for Newborns” for Divine Mercy Care;

www.divinemercycare.org 703-934-5552

For the Parish Community: • Bring someone to Mass each week who cannot get there without help.• Volunteer to set up, clean up and/or serve soup at the St. Agnes

Lenten Soup Suppers.• Volunteer in St. Agnes School Library. Contact Ms. Kara LaGrassa;

klagrassa@saintagnes.org• Volunteer to help with the parish Coffee and Donut Sundays. (Read

the parish bulletins for other opportunities to serve and participate in parish activities, even by making posters for events).

• Wash altar server’s cassocks and surplices. Call Parish Office to arrange. 703-525-1166

• Assist with cleaning the parish pews or ask the ushers if they need help distributing bulletins.

♦ Arrange Plants around altar for Easter. Call Parish Office 2-3 weeks prior to Holy Week; provide contact information to Mary Ann McCoy (flower committee).

• Volunteer at a parish Bible camp.• Get a list of the shut-ins in the parish from the office and send them a

homemade card telling them you are including them in your prayers.

For your Family: • Read the Gospel or Scripture stories to young children in your family

and in your neighborhood.• Teach a sibling how to pray and read them one of the Gospels.• Volunteer to do extra chores around the house, and ask your parents

to assign you work to do, like cleaning out the garage, the basement, or clean the family car;

• Write a letter to each family member and thank them for the different ways they contribute to your family and how much they mean to you especially.

• Offer to prepare and lead prayers before meals; include a special prayer asking God to bless your family.

• Spend time helping a brother or a sister with homework on a regular basis; spend time playing with a younger sibling who just wants some attention.

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• Organize some friends and arrange to donate excess clothes, books and toys to a local charity

Some unacceptable service projects or projects with conditions:• Babysitting (unless the monetary equivalent is given to the poor;

provide documentation)no more than 3 hours counts toward the total

• Cleaning room, working in your yard, cooking for one’s family, housecleaning (these are things that one should already be doing)

• Coaching Sports • Altar servers, choir members counts for only the hour of Mass that one

participates in. (no more than 3 hours for any one service-e.g. serving, choir etc.)

• Walking pets or volunteering at animal shelters.

Service Project Summary“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of

mine, you did for me.”(Matthew 25:40)

To be completed and form turned in by May 31, 2017Be certain to have all signatures; parent, teacher, adult witnesses.

Candidate’s Name Date

School Name of Religion Teacher

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Parent/Guardian Signature Teacher Signature

1. Service to Family (Minimum of 5 hours)

Date Hours Type of Service Adult Witness

2. Service to the Parish (Minimum of 5 hours)

Date Hours Type of Service Adult Witness

3. Service to the local community (Minimum of 5 hours)

Date Hours Type of Service Adult Witness

Service Project Reflection Paper“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers

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of mine, you did for me.”(Matthew 25:40)

Each Candidate is asked to write a paper on their experience completing their service hours and turn in with Service Project Summary by April 18, 2016. The following should be included in the paper.

· Briefly describe your service projects.

· Which was your favorite? Which was your least favorite? Why?

What were your thoughts about the projects before, during, and after the service work?

· Whom did you encounter in this activity? What did you learn about or from this person? How is their life different than your own?

· Will you pray for anyone whom you have met at your project?

· Did you encounter Jesus in those whom you worked with or for? Did they encounter Jesus in you? How? Why or why not?

· In what way did your service help those in the community?

· What did you discover about yourself as a result of the service work? Did you grow in this encounter? How? Why or why not?

· Will your attitude or view of the world be different after this service project?

· Why do you suppose that service hours are part of the preparation for Confirmation?

· Would you do the project again or recommend that others do it? What advice would you give to someone else doing this service?

Your Service Reflection Paper must include the following:

· 500 words minimum—800 words maximum (2 -3 pages typed.) (Please save).

· Typed in black ink, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins.

· Cover sheet with your name and the names, locations, and dates, of

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your projects.

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