Session 6 - Preparing for ConfirmationLooking Forward to the

Celebration of ConfirmationConfirmation Mass is ON HOLD

until we are able to have more people in the churchwith Fr Mirek Kostarzewski presiding Due to COVID the Archbishop is not able to attend

You need to be at the church at least 30 min ahead of time

All Baptism Certificates and Sponsor sheet must be at the church before Confirmation, or your child will need to wait until the following year to receive.

Please review the “At Home Exam”. I will send the answers on a separate email.Let me know when you are ready to review the answers and I’ll send it to you.

Remember to compete your letters and give them to the appropriate person.

For the letter for Fr Mirek please drop off in a basket on Confirmation Day.

If the date your child is scheduled with their school does not work for you and your family, please contact me for other options. Fr Mirek only has permission to preside at Confirmation on specific days.

There will be no other dates available.

Opening Prayer: (please say together)Please center yourself for prayer in a quiet and peaceful space.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son,and of the Holy Spirit. AmenGrace and peace to you from God our Fatherand from the Lord Jesus Christ. All: And with your spirit

We gather together as a family to remember how Jesus gathered us around one table and invited the Holy Spirit to be with us.One with all of our sisters and brothers throughout the world, let us now listen to God's Word and join in prayer.Amen.

Together, we acknowledge how grateful we are for the mercy of God.

As we prepare to hear about God's love for us, let us remember that God sent His Son not to judge us, but to save us,for God is full of gentleness and compassion.

Lord Jesus, you take away our fears in times of trouble:Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds after we have hurt each other: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.Lord Jesus, you remind us that every person is a child of God: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

This reading is about the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you get a chance, have a look at a few readings that talk about the Holy Spirit.

During our time of COVID, I wonder if the Holy Spirit is with us giving us strength, knowledge, understanding and patience to help us through?

May the power of the Holy Sprit give you Hope in these trying times.

(Romans 15: 7- 13)A reading from the Book of Romans,Accept one another, then, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant on behalf of the truth of God in order that He might confirm the promises given, and in order that we might glorify God for His mercy.And in another place, it says: Nations, rejoice, with His people, and in another place again: Praise the Lord, all nations, extol Him, all peoples. The root of Jesse will appear, he who rises up to rule the nations, and in him the nations will put their hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. The Word of the Lord, Thanks be to God.

Tell me a StoryPlease share with each other:What are you looking forward to the most about Confirmation?

In this preparation session, we’ll look at:

1) How Mass will unfold – what to say when2) What the actual Confirmation portion will look like 3) Practical matters, when to arrive, where to sit, what Sponsors should know4) Attendance Sheets – required by AHS (Alberta Health Services)5) Question/Answer Sheet to look through6) Go over At Home Exam together (on a separate email)7) Reconciliation with Fr Mirek – book a date and time before Confirmation8) How to Go to Communion – during COVIDBuilding on What We Know:

Everyone appreciates a celebration that feels like a Celebration. We take time to have careful and clear readings so that we can appreciate them. The music ministry prepares music that will help you connect to the Celebration. There are ministries behind the scenes that are helping to make sure everything runs smoothly. Preparing in advance improves the experience on the day. Therefore, it is so important to be present for the Rehearsal.Please practice.

Some Responses to Practice: Throughout Mass Fr Mirek will say:The Lord be with you or Peace be with you. And you will respond: And with your SpiritWhenever you hear this: “Through Christ our Lord … “it’s a clue that it’s the end of a prayer.The response is – Amen

Fr Mirek will say: , ‘May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Making the sign of the cross with his hand. The response is to make the sign of the cross on yourself as usual and respond - Amen .By the way, what does Amen mean? Yes, I believe!Remember that during the Homily, Fr Mirek might be speaking to you directly. Stay calm, respond clearly, Enjoy! The message is for you to hear.Normally the Archbishop presides at Confirmation, but this year he is not able to come to St Mary’s. Fr Mirek has been given special permission to preside at these Masses instead of the Archbishop.

Watch the video on Confirmation – Flame of Faith (from the Archdiocese of Brisbane)https://youtu.be/sFo-9H-lZlk

Note this Celebration is from 2015 and not COVID friendly. But has very good information about a Confirmation Mass.

The Rite of Confirmation: We have heard God’s Word After the Homily the Rite of Confirmation begins.3 important and Ancient Rites now take place.1) Renewal of Baptismal Promises (Profession of Faith)2) Laying on of Hands3) Anointing with Chrism

1) Renewal of Baptismal Promises: - Response is : I do

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of Heaven and earth? I doDo you believe … etc. I do.

2) Laying on of Hands:

Priest or the Archbishop give a blessing by laying their hands on a person’s head or by extending their hands over the person or group of people. During COVID, Fr Mirek will extend his hands over the entire group.This happens at Baptism, at Confirmation, the Anointing of the Sick, and at Ordination. This action is accompanied by a prayer to the Holy Spirit, which calls the Spirit upon each of you.

Remember epiclesis from Session 2? During Mass, the Priest puts his hands over the bread and wine and calls upon the Holy Spirit to forever change the bread and the wine to the Body and Blood of Christ.In Confirmation, the Archbishop or Priest will place his hands over you and call upon the Holy Spirit, and you will be changed. You receive the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to Jesus Christ.Fr Mirek will hold his hands outstretched over each of you just before he anoints you with the Oil of Chrism.

3) Anointing with ChrismA minister brings the Chrism to Fr Mirek. Each candidate, with their sponsor goes to Fr Mirek. Fr Mirek will be standing near the bottom of the stairs to greet you individually.The sponsor places their hand on the shoulder of the candidate. This is to Symbolize that your Sponsor has your back and will be there for you just like the entire

Catholic community is there for you.The Sponsor will clearly say the first name of their Confirmandi to Fr Mirek.*We will usher 1 pew at a time. Only the Sponsor and the student move towards Fr Mirek. The sponsor will put their hand on the student’s shoulder.Student and Sponsor are to stand within arms length with your mask on, and please make sure your responses are loud and clear (no mumbling please).* No pictures are to be taken within the Mass – please let family know

During COVID, Fr Mirek will dip a cotton ball in the Oil of Chrism and make the sign of the cross on the forehead of the one to be confirmed as he says:

Fr Mirek: (Name of candidate), be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Student Response: Amen.Fr Mirek: Peace be with you. Student Response: And with your spirit.After you are Confirmed, please return to your pew with your Sponsor.Please take this time back in your pews to reflect on this Sacrament of Confirmation and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that you have been given. This is not a time for talking to your neighbor.

After everyone has received the Sacrament of Confirmation, then Mass will continue as usual with the Prayers of the Faithful.

Please practice at home.

Sacraments: Signs, Symbols, Actions, and Responses What you will do, say, feel smell hear and respond. These are all parts of the Sacrament of Confirmation and what we just practiced. Take time to review them.

Remember that Sacraments are guaranteed to “work”! It’s not as though we all hope to receive God’s grace. We DO receive God’s grace.Sacraments are NOT magic. We receive God’s grace and then we need to choose to co-operate with that grace.

How we act and react to the Sacrament is what counts. This means our openness and preparation is important in ensuring an attitude that allows us to co-operate with God’s grace.Cooperating with God’s grace means learning more and more about what God wants for us and how we go about doing and acting the way in which He wants.

At Home Exam Questions: As a family, go over the answers to the At Home Exam. The answers will be attached in a separate email. Let me know when you are ready to review them. If you are uncertain or need more explanation, please contact me for clarification.charmaine.marcinek@rdcrs.ca

https://youtu.be/OrCUkEmCfi8Chris Stefanick on “What Happens at Confirmation” part of the Chosen

series (6:27)

Practical Matters:When to arrive: A minimum of 30 minutes ahead of time to sign in, get student’s Certificate, drop off Thank you Letter in basket for Fr Mirek and be seated in your seat.Where to sit: You will be ushered to your seats. Student and Sponsor on the end of the row with the rest of the family sitting in the same row. First come, first serve seating.

Sponsor’s Responsibility:

1) Sit beside your Godchild at Mass

2)Make sure the Certificate is picked up.

Give to student – correct if necessary

3) When moving towards Fr Mirek with your Godchild for the Oil of Chrism, please have you hand on their shoulder.

4) This is to symbolize that you will always be there for them no matter what. “You have got their back!”5) Say your Godchild’s First Name to Fr Mirek so he can repeat it.

6) Return to your seats after your Godchild has received the Gift of the Holy Spirit through the Oil of Chrism.

7) Participate at Mass as often as possible & encourage your Godchild to do so also.

8) Support the family and journey with your Godchild as they grow in their faith and relationship with God.

9) Most importantly, be a role model of Christian living for your Godchild, through assurance of prayer, virtue, and sharing of your own journey of faith.

Attendance Sheet: Every family is required by Alberta Health Service and the Archdiocese to fill out an attendance sheet for trace contacting. This attendance sheet will include who will be attending the Celebration. At the moment we are only able to have a maximum of 5 people from each family attending the Celebration in person. This number includes the students, 1 Sponsor and Parent(s).

For those who cannot physically attend there are a few options:1) Livestream under St Mary’s Catholic Church Facebook Page

(choose the one with the rock with the name of the church on it)It will show up like a blank screen. When it livestreams the altar and the space around it will show up.

2) Watch a recording later on our website – scroll down on our main page.

http://www.stmarysparishreddeer.com

Confirmation-- Date and Time: at St Mary’s Parish with Fr Mirek Kostarzewski

* Hoping for up to 5 people including student and sponsor

* At the moment, Confirmation is ON HOLD.We will let you know by email, when we are able to open up

dates/times.When we have dates and times you can fill this out and send it back

to charmaine.marcinek@rdcrs.ca

Please PRINT legibly and include the person’s contact number. Thanks

Name: (first and last) Phone Number: 1)*Student:2)Parent:3)Parent:4)Sponsor:5)

Question & Answers: Confirmation 2021Q. Hope and Dreams Letter to the student from the Parent(s) and the Sponsor?A. Due to the volume of students receiving Sacraments, we ask that you give your

child/Godchild their letter from you personally. You as a family can decide the best day .

Q. What if a copy of my child’s Baptism Certificate has not been handed in to the church before Confirmation?A. Confirmation will need to be delayed without a copy of the Baptism Certificate been given to

the church. Please contact the office ASAP.

Q. Can I take pictures during Mass when my child receives Confirmation?A. Pictures during Mass is NOT permitted. Please let all family and friends know. There will be an opportunity for group pictures by school with Fr Mirek immediately after Mass. Everyone must wear their masks properly. * not required to participate

Q. Do I have to attend the Rehearsal portion?A. Yes, it is very important that your child is able to attend with their Sponsor. If Sponsor is not able to attend on the day of Confirmation – then 1 proxy (someone who has received the Sacraments of Baptism, 1st Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic Church and is at least 16 years of age) can stand in their place. A proxy can be a parent.

Q. What should my child wear on Confirmation day? A. Please wear your “Sunday best”.

Please NO jeans or t-shirts with any logos on them. If you would like to wear something with white to recognize your Baptism. You may do so, in either a blouse, skirt, dress, or dress shirt and dark pants.

Please remember the real focus for Confirmation is Jesus and the Holy Spirit!If it is a custom in your family to wear a white dress or a formal suit you may do so.

Q. Reconciliation?A. Students will have an opportunity to have Reconciliation/Confession two weeks before Confirmation. Dates to be confirmed soon.

Q. COVID Rules?A. Wear a mask for the entire celebration except when receiving communion. Sanitize hands coming in and going out. Must be on the attendance sheet. Sit in designated seats.

Q. Letter to Fr Mirek and your Sponsor?A. We encourage students to write a letter of Thanks to Fr Mirek and the Sponsor – hand in Fr Mirek’s Letter only and put it in the basket on Confirmation Day. Q. When is the At Home Exam due?A. I will send the answers to the exam in a separate email. Let me know when you are ready.

Reconciliation with Father ON HOLD at the moment

Every student, and if time adults are welcome,will have an opportunity to receive Reconciliation.You will need to book a date and time for you as a student to receive Confession (Reconciliation) before Confirmation. Most of you will have already had your 1st Confession. In the church, this is to ensure your heart and

mind are ready to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit.Call the church to set up a date/time.403-347-3114 ext 1.

We now ask you to center yourselves for prayer and reflection.

This is a time for silence and reflection on what you plan to say and how to go about doing so. When you meet with Fr Mirek, he will guide you through this beautiful Sacrament even if it has been a while since you last went to confession. Here are a few videos that might help you to be ready.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib8pzvnnL20 How do I go to Confession? (Video Catechism) 4:28 minhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuQ1l3MeynM 3 Tips in making a good Confession 4:34 min ****

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjmuqeSgNjg I Confess (LifeTeen.com) 5:26 min ****

We would like you to take a bit of time, in complete silence, to think about what you want to say to the priest about things that you might have done wrong or want to change in your life.

God knows your heart and wants you to feel safe and no longer burdened with these thoughts deep in your heart.

When you have booked a date and time: Please go quietly to Fr Mirek to talk to him.Fr Mirek who will be in his office – access by way of the Hall.Please sit 3 chairs away from the next person and please wear your mask at all times.Remember to sanitize your hands as you enter the church by the South

Doors (near the office)

How to Go to Communion – during COVID

Understanding and Practicing“How to Go to Communion”

(attached below is a small video to help you practice)

You can use any sort of small cracker (I have used rice crackers) to help them become comfortable with the sequence of how to receive.

With COVID Father Mirek will say to everyone who is going to receive that day, including parents, “The Body of Christ”. We ask that everyone look at Jesus in the form of a host and respond “Amen” firmly like you believe it!

Reminder that the word “Amen” means – I believe.

Process with hands folded in prayer down the aisle with your family. Reminder to use the 6 ft distance markers on the floor and on the back of the pews

(green) When it is your turn, you should make a slight bow of the head — this is our sign of

reverence. No need to bow from the waist. If their hair is flipping, it’s too big a bow.

During COVID everyone will receive from the hand. The hands should be one underneath the other, usually the hand you eat with is

underneath. Once the Body of Christ is in your hand cover it with your other hand and move to a

space with the X on it (green tape marker on the floor). Looking towards that altar, remove one side of your mask, still holding Jesus in your

hand. Use the underneath hand to remove the mask and pick up Jesus (host) and consume it immediately.

Put your mask back on, take a breath and then turn around to everyone. Fold hands in prayer and process back to your seat to make a prayer of thanksgiving. There is no need to make the sign of the cross after receiving. The bow before

receiving is the sign of reverence.

Tell your child that if they carefully watch every week during the Communion procession, either online or at the church for Mass, they will see some adults who are good examples and some not very good examples, so they need to be extra good examples for the grown-ups.

Video: Demonstrating How to Receive Communion, Archdiocese of Edmonton

https://youtu.be/Q8tg8A5jmP0

Please note that this video was created May 31, 2020 and the rules have changed slightly since then. The person who is not wearing their mask until they receive Communion now wears her mask throughout the entire Mass, except to receive Communion.

We ask that everyone over the age of 2 years wear a mask from the moment they enter the church to the moment they exit and return to their vehicles. The only time you are to take off part of your Mask is to receive Communion. There are also times where Proclaimers (Readers) will also take off their mask to Proclaim the Word of God. These are the only exceptions.

Praise and Thank God for the Great Gift of Communion

You have already received your 1st Eucharist (Communion), but after every time you come to Mass to receive Communion, we all can praise and thank God for the great gift of Jesus received in the Eucharist.

Prayer after Communion:

Lord Jesus, I love and adore you. You’re a special friend to me. Thank you for coming to me.Thank you for giving yourself to me. Make me strong and help me to show Your love wherever I may be.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask You to stay,Close by me forever and love me, I pray.Bless all of us children in Your loving care And bring us to heaven to live with You there.

Congratulations!

You have all worked hard to journey to this point.Congratulate yourselves and thank the people

who have been part of your journey.

Reminder a minimum of 30 min ahead of time with Your Sponsor to sign in, pick up certificate and be ready for rehearsal.

The Attendance Sheet required for Trace Contacting (AHS) – on our website

Please include date, time and people with phone numbers.

On Hold for the moment

but please fill out attendance sheet as soon as we have dates available.

You will receive an email as soon as we know when we will be able to Celebrate

The Sacrament of Confirmation