Confirmation retreat outline - St Mary's College, Broome
Confirmation retreat outline - St Mary's College, Broome
Confirmation retreat outline - St Mary's College, Broome
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Grid Paths<br />
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Create two square grids for example 5 x 10 using masking tape/ribbon on the floor<br />
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Team 1 Team 2<br />
The aim of the game is for students to cross their entire team from one side of the grid to the other<br />
Divide group into two teams.<br />
There is a pathway created and known by the two teachers/leaders who sit at the top of the<br />
grid. (having a paper grid to guide them is a good idea)<br />
<strong>St</strong>udents begin by trying to cross the grid one at a time stepping into squares. If they step on<br />
the right path/square the teacher says yes and they can keep stepping until they get a no for<br />
stepping in a wrong square. That student then lines up again at the back of the group and the<br />
next student begins by trying to memorise where the previous team member stepped and<br />
then building on solving the path.<br />
As team members cross to the other side. their task is to guide fellow team members across<br />
the grid, this can take the form of verbal or non verbal clues.<br />
If playing team against team, the two grid patterns can be the same to begin until students<br />
understand how to play the game and can then be made different so that the two teams can’t copy<br />
one another.<br />
Shared Discussion/Reflection<br />
Invite students to reflect on how the grid is like life .....<br />
It’s about finding the right way to go .... sometimes it’s easy to find the way .... sometimes you<br />
might get things wrong or go the wrong way but you can always begin again.<br />
Once you ‘find the way’ you have Knowledge and Wisdom and you can use what you have learnt to<br />
help and lead others.<br />
Working together makes getting through easier<br />
Link to <strong>Confirmation</strong>:<br />
The Holy Spirit will help to guide you through life, give you the courage to begin again and help<br />
you to discover new knowledge and understanding as you go through life.<br />
Your team is like the Church, there to help you through and guide you.
Journal Activity (Optional) Spend some time reflecting on the people who help and guide you in<br />
life. Who do you look up to .... what is it about that person that you really respect or like .... how<br />
might you do that in your life?<br />
<br />
<br />
Aim: To consider what confirmation means to us and how we perceive its impact on our lives.<br />
Mark a line across the room.<br />
Label one end of the line with the word "Agree" and the other with the word "Disagree."<br />
Read out one of the following statements and ask the group to stand on the line according to<br />
how much they agree or disagree with the statement.<br />
Invite two or three young people to say why they have chosen to stand where they are.<br />
• I can make a difference to the world I live in<br />
• You can be good without being a Christian<br />
• If you are a Christian you must always work hard to become a better person<br />
• Everyone's life should be perfect<br />
• Christians should be involved in working for justice<br />
• One person can make a difference<br />
• Actions speak louder than words<br />
• You are what you have<br />
Taken from<br />
http://www.cafod.org.uk/resources/worship/confirmation_and_rcia_resources/cafod_and_confirmation<br />
The focus of B2 in Gifted by The Spirit is how the world would be if everyone lived as God wants<br />
B2.2 Analyses how society would be different if baptised and confirmed people developed<br />
the spiritual gifts of the ‘power from on high’ to fulfil their Christian mission.<br />
If baptised and confirmed people developed the spiritual gifts of ‘power from on high’ within them,<br />
they would be strengthened against all that makes it hard for them to fulfil their Christian mission.<br />
They could:<br />
Listen to the calls of their conscience ‘to love and do good’ like Jesus<br />
Overcome peer and social pressures to forget about living as a Christian<br />
Overcome persecutions, including through ridicule and rejection<br />
Rise above personal temptations not to live as Jesus taught.<br />
What would the Church be like if all its members lived as Christ taught?<br />
What are some ways society would be different if all members of the Church lived their Christian<br />
mission?
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In small groups, students are given a global problem (or a local problem/issue taken from The West<br />
Australian or a Community Newspaper) and asked as a group to come up with solutions to solve it.<br />
<strong>St</strong>udents could be encouraged to reflect on the gifts of <strong>Confirmation</strong> and how they might call on the<br />
Spirit to solve these problems, reminding them that choosing to be confirmed calls on one to step up<br />
as a leader and to find ways to make the world fair for everyone.<br />
Encourage groups to come up with an interesting way, eg. Rap .... Tableau ... etc ... to present their<br />
problem and solutions back to the group and to gather any other ideas that other students may have.<br />
At school, students in their groups, could send their ideas to the Youth Speak Out site by entering<br />
the address and clicking on the e-mail symbol contained with each given problem listed below.<br />
<br />
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Disabilities<br />
People are also mistreated if they have disabilities. There are kids at<br />
school who are extremely rude and mean to the disabled kids. Even<br />
people with disabilities have feelings, and they can get hurt badly.<br />
Sample Problem:<br />
Kids tease and repeat mean jokes at school about kids with disabilities,<br />
including those that have to wear glasses. What can we do to stop<br />
people teasing and making fun of others?<br />
Sample Solution:<br />
Don’t laugh at the jokes, because some day it might happen to you.<br />
Together we can make a difference and improve the world. Do you have<br />
any other ideas? Write to us and we’ll post your comments on this site.<br />
http://www.tcfn.org/jrsummit/disability.html
Rich vs Poor<br />
We all want to have a comfortable amount of money even with a little<br />
extra for treats now and then. Some people don't have a cent. Some<br />
people have millions and billions of dollars. The rich, if they give any to<br />
the poor give a small amount. Money isn't everything. The rich are<br />
greedy and the poor are needy. When will it stop?<br />
Sample Problem:<br />
We as Australian young people don’t really know what it’s like to be<br />
really poor like people in some African, Asian and South American<br />
countries. It’s not right that people are dying in the world because they<br />
don’t have enough food and water. How can we as young people make<br />
a difference and help those who lack the basic necessities of life?<br />
Sample Solution:<br />
Instead of buying a $150 pair of jeans, buy a pair for $80 and give the extra<br />
$70 to a charity such as Project Compassion<br />
Together we can make a difference and improve the world. Do you have<br />
any other ideas? Write to us and we'll post your comments on this<br />
section. http://www.tcfn.org/jrsummit/richpoor.html<br />
(Adapted)<br />
Environment<br />
Our beautiful earth is being destroyed. Thousands and thousands of trees are being<br />
cut down in short amounts of time, and trees give us the oxygen we need to<br />
survive. People are polluting the earth by littering, dumping rubbish into rivers,<br />
lakes and oceans. Car emissions and smoking causes smog and makes the oxygen<br />
layer in our atmosphere thinner. If we don’t take action, our earth will end up like<br />
one big junkyard.<br />
Sample Problem:<br />
Australia’s rainfall has reduced over the last few years and we continually<br />
cut down trees to create more paper and other resources. The more we<br />
destroy our natural environment the more it affects our air, waterways and<br />
overall health. What can we do to save water and encourage people to<br />
recycle? What can we do to save the natural environment?<br />
Sample Solution:<br />
We took two recycled plastic bags every day to school. On the way to and from<br />
school we picked up rubbish, cans, and bottles and put them in the recycled<br />
containers at school. Together we can make a difference and improve the<br />
world. Do you have any other ideas? Write to us and we’ll post your comments<br />
on this section. http://www.tcfn.org/jrsummit/enviornment.html
Bullying<br />
The problem<br />
Many people still judge others by how they look, what they wear, what music they<br />
like, what skin colour they have. Some groups won’t talk to other groups and visa<br />
versa. Skin is beautiful whether God has created you with black skin, white skin,<br />
yellow skin, etc But not everyone thinks that, and it can cause problems.<br />
Sample Problem:<br />
Kids can find it difficult at times to go out of their way to make friends with<br />
other people who are different to them. If we want the world to be a peaceful<br />
place in the future we need to treat the people around us respectfully. How can<br />
we encourage people in schools to treat anyone who is different from them with<br />
respect. How can we stop bullying?<br />
Sample Solution:<br />
Go out of your way to make friends with someone that is from a different race or<br />
nationality than yourself.<br />
Together we can make a difference and improve the world. Do you have any<br />
other better ideas? Write to us and we’ll post your comments on this section.<br />
http://www.tcfn.org/jrsummit/questions.html<br />
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As we grow older, we begin to admire special qualities in other people. We may admire, for<br />
example:<br />
• truthfulness in someone who never tells lies, no matter how much they may get into trouble<br />
• courage in a person who, for example,<br />
– overcomes personal adversity<br />
– is of strong character so that they do what is right, even in the face of opposition by<br />
peers and others who want them to do wrong<br />
• loyalty in a person who remains faithful to friends, especially in times of difficulty<br />
• fairness in someone who is always fair, irrespective of self interest<br />
• love in someone who is friendly to everyone<br />
• forgiveness in a person who remains willing to be friends with the person who hurt them.<br />
When we want to develop these qualities within ourselves, they become personal ‘ideals’.<br />
They are special ways in which we would like to show goodness.<br />
Secondly, as ideals develop, we become disappointed whenever we fail to live up to them. We<br />
regret times when we, for example:<br />
• lied, rather than told the truth<br />
• gave in, instead of showing courage<br />
• were disloyal, instead of showing loyalty<br />
• behaved unfairly, instead of being just<br />
• showed selfishness, rather than love<br />
• took revenge, rather than forgiveness.
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When admiring good qualities in others, we are experiencing God calling us from within to<br />
develop these qualities or ideals ourselves. This call grows stronger within as we try to<br />
develop these qualities ourselves, and regret times when we have behaved in ways that are<br />
the opposite to these ideals.
==<br />
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Objectives: Experience the love of God in the love of one's parents<br />
Materials Needed:<br />
1. Letters from parents for each participant<br />
2. Paper for replies<br />
3. Envelopes<br />
Contents/Activities:<br />
Preface: I doubt that this could be used as a "stand alone" activity, but it can be very powerful in<br />
the context of a one day or a weekend <strong>retreat</strong>. You need to plan this well ahead of time - parents<br />
need some time to respond to your request and you must also assume that you will have to contact<br />
some parents a second time before you have received the letters from all of them.<br />
There are obviously risks involved in this process and, based on my experience, I would suggest<br />
the following steps:<br />
1. Do not mention to your group what you are planning. If you pull it off, it will be a pleasant<br />
(hopefully) surprise for them. It is obvious that you need to ensure that you have a letter from at<br />
least one parent for each participant before you even consider handing any of the letters out.<br />
2. Phone the parents and explain to them what you are doing, why you would like them to write a<br />
letter to their son or daughter, and suggest what types of things (how they feel about them, what<br />
qualities they most love in them, what they hope for their future, ...) they might want to write. This<br />
personal contact with the parent is necessary: although most of them are happy to be given the<br />
opportunity to thus express their love, some feel awkward about it. Explain to the parents that you<br />
will only go ahead with the project if and when you have all the letters. Give a definite deadline. If<br />
you have not received the letters by the deadline, don't give up, call again - some parents may<br />
have forgotten about it.<br />
3. After the letters are given out to the participants in the <strong>retreat</strong>, make sure that the <strong>retreat</strong> adult<br />
supervisors/leaders are on the lookout for negative reactions and are ready to gently and discretely<br />
intervene.<br />
Comment: I have often used "love letters" from parents for my students and for young adults who<br />
were participating in <strong>retreat</strong>s. Every time, the impact on the great majority of the participants was<br />
overwhelmingly positive. There were however, some individuals who, for whatever reasons,<br />
reacted badly to the letter.<br />
4. After students have had a chance to read their letter, invite them to write a reply to their parents.<br />
©Gilles Côté, 2001<br />
If you copy information from this Catholic Religious Education Webzine<br />
please acknowledge your source.
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The low ropes course is characterized by its ability to create the need<br />
for group members to challenge their old ways of thinking and acting<br />
and work "outside the box". Group members are faced with<br />
challenging problems and are required to take risks, talk, and share<br />
responsibility for a successful effort. The goal of this course is to<br />
develop more effective thought processes and problem solving skills.<br />
Individuals learn the meaning of cooperation, and discover that<br />
through cooperation they can accomplish much more than they<br />
would have previously thought possible.<br />
Use a ropes course to encourage students to work together.<br />
Conclude the session with questions and/or discussions that draw<br />
students to reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit which<br />
they had to use/draw upon to help others complete the course, eg.<br />
Knowledge ... having to stop and think through the best way to<br />
complete the challenge ...<br />
Understanding others fears and encouraging them to have a go<br />
Courage to take steps and try things which were scary at the time<br />
Patience .... in encouraging people who found the course challenging<br />
Kindness ... in being gentle with people who may have slipped off the course or needed extra time.<br />
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Holy Water reminds us of our Baptism, when we were first called<br />
to follow Christ and were welcomed into God’s family.<br />
The Bible, which contains the Word of God and our<br />
story, reminds us of the struggles and difficulties<br />
others have faced. It encourages our faith to endure<br />
difficult times and reminds us of the truly Good News<br />
revealed through Jesus ~ that God loves us beyond all else.<br />
The Altar reminds us that we are part of a community who are<br />
called to gather together to support and help one another as we<br />
share a sacred meal and are strengthened by Christ.<br />
In our Parish, our <strong>Confirmation</strong> candidates wear a sash.<br />
This garment links <strong>Confirmation</strong> with Baptism, when our<br />
Godparents placed a white garment around us and clothed us in<br />
Christ. The wearing of this garment symbolizes the commitment<br />
and acceptance of the person being confirmed to “put on” or wear<br />
Christ. It is a sign of acceptance to wanting to live a life like<br />
Christ’s. This sash also contains symbols of <strong>Confirmation</strong>,<br />
including the name of a chosen saint or holy person who has been<br />
chosen as a role model for how to live a life of faith.<br />
For Reflection and Sharing<br />
Spend some time designing a “<strong>Confirmation</strong> sash”.<br />
Include the name of your chosen Saint together with some<br />
symbols, which highlight an important aspect of the Holy Spirit or<br />
the ceremony for you.<br />
Your sash and its design also remind us of your uniqueness and<br />
the gifts which you bring to our community.<br />
Use the space on the next page to design your sash before you<br />
explain what symbols you chose and why.<br />
Share your design with the group.<br />
Link:<br />
Resource Sheet 4 Basic Elements of <strong>Confirmation</strong> from the Year Seven RE Unit Spirit of Truth
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Spread a number of Photo Language images around the room so that students can<br />
walk around and in between the images.<br />
Encourage students, in silence, to spend time looking at the pictures on the floor.<br />
Pose the question<br />
“Which images speaks to you of some Gifts/Fruits of the Holy Spirit?”<br />
Invite students to choose one or two images – and spend 2-3 minutes in silence<br />
reflecting on the image/s they have chosen.<br />
Invites students to share their image/s and thoughts with the group.<br />
Eg. I chose this picture because it reminds me of the gift of Reverence … of treating<br />
others with gentleness and kindness<br />
What does that picture say about the Holy Spirit?<br />
2<br />
Provide students with a range of art materials (crayons, paints, pencils, charcoal,<br />
plasticine, recycled materials, clay, etc.)<br />
Invite students to create an artwork (eg motivational poster) based on the Photo<br />
Language image/s they have chosen and to brainstorm a word or phrase on the<br />
artwork. (see example below)<br />
Or<br />
To create an artwork based on the Gifts/Fruits of the Holy Spirit<br />
Display works<br />
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Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present on this earth.<br />
He is present in each one of us. Each baptised person forms the Body of Christ ~ the<br />
Church, and through us, Christ reaches out to be present to and to heal others.<br />
At <strong>Confirmation</strong> we are answering ‘Yes’ to Christ working through us to heal and transform the<br />
world and to build God’s Kingdom. It is a sacrament where we are where we are called to make a<br />
difference in the world through the way we live. The Holy Spirit strengthens us to grow in wisdom,<br />
knowledge, understanding, courage, right judgement, reverence, wonder and awe that we may<br />
speak out and act as Christ would.<br />
Teacher Note from the Year Seven Unit Gifted by the Spirit<br />
The qualities of Jesus are the important focus of (B1), leading to the Promise and the Gifts<br />
of the Holy Spirit.<br />
Jesus always did what was good. He showed the human qualities God created in people so<br />
they could do good. For example, he showed:<br />
• courage by<br />
– continuing his mission, even though he knew that some were planning his death<br />
to stop him [Mark 10:32–34; cf. John 11:49–54]<br />
– not being put off when people stopped following him [John 6:60–66]<br />
– not running away, even though he experienced terror the night before he was killed<br />
[Luke 22:39–44]<br />
• love by<br />
– washing the feet of disciples to show his love for them [John 13:1–17]<br />
– promising to give up his life for his disciples [John 15:13–15]<br />
• loyalty by<br />
– expressing love to Peter in the way he looked at him, even though Peter had just<br />
denied that he knew Jesus [Luke 22:54–62]<br />
– asking those who came to arrest him to let his disciples go [John 18:7–9]<br />
• fairness by<br />
– standing up for the woman caught in adultery [John 8:1–12]<br />
– defending the sinner who washed his feet with expensive oil [Mark 14:3–9]<br />
• forgiveness by<br />
– forgiving people’s sins [eg Mark 2:1–11]<br />
– praying that those who crucified him would be forgiven [Luke 23:34].<br />
Divide students into a number of small groups.<br />
Invites students to choose a Gospel story about Jesus and to re-enact it for the large<br />
group in a creative way.<br />
Use the following questions as discussion starters for large or small groups
For Reflection and Sharing – Choose one question and share your thoughts with the group<br />
1. Can you recall a time when Jesus modelled<br />
each of the Gifts of the Spirit:<br />
wisdom, knowledge, understanding<br />
right judgement, courage<br />
reverence and wonder and awe<br />
or showed in his life the Fruits of the Spirit<br />
love, joy, peace, patience,<br />
goodness, kindness, gentleness,<br />
faithfulness and self-control.<br />
2. Which Gospel story about Jesus has special meaning for you?<br />
Share it with the group.<br />
3. When have you used one of these Gifts or when do you think<br />
you might have to use them in the future?<br />
4. What Gift or Fruit of the Spirit do you think you bring to the world?<br />
Give a reason for your answer<br />
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EXAMINATION OF<br />
CONSCIENCE<br />
TEACHER NOTE<br />
For New Evangelisation, like Catholic moral teachings, an examination of conscience<br />
needs to focus upon the person God’s grace makes Catholics capable of becoming<br />
[see Catechism 1454]. It needs to reflect the New Law of Christ [Catechism 1965-1974].<br />
The bracketed numbers below denote to which of the Ten Commandments the question<br />
is related.<br />
Jesus wants to help me to live as he taught.<br />
When have I not let him help me by acting in ways that are selfish or wrong?<br />
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your<br />
soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind [Luke 10:27].<br />
(1) Instead of praying each day like Jesus, have there been days when I have not prayed?<br />
(2) Instead of letting Jesus draw me closer to God, have I used the names of God, Jesus or Mary<br />
disrespectfully?<br />
(3) Instead of letting Jesus draw me closer to God, have there been times when I have been<br />
talkative or uncooperative during Mass?<br />
(3) Instead of letting Jesus draw me closer to God, have I tried to get out of going to Mass with my<br />
parents or family members?<br />
(3) Instead of letting Jesus draw me closer to God, have there been times when I have not<br />
participated fully in the Mass? Complained about going to Mass with my parents or other<br />
family members?<br />
You must love your neighbour as yourself [Matthew 22:39].<br />
(4) Instead of loving my parents as Jesus did, and other family members, have I been<br />
disrespectful?<br />
Been uncooperative in the family, or had angry arguments or fights?<br />
(4) Instead of obeying rules like Jesus, have I disobeyed rules made by my parents? School rules?<br />
Public signs?<br />
(4) Instead of helping or cooperating with other family members, have I refused to help or to<br />
cooperate with them?<br />
(4) Instead of helping out in my family, and doing my chores, have I caused arguments or not done<br />
my share of work in the family?<br />
(5) Instead of being friendly to all, like Jesus, have I called others names? Not let them join in<br />
games? Made fun of anyone who looks or sounds different?<br />
(5) Instead of forgiving others like Jesus, am I holding a grudge or wanting to get even?<br />
(5) Instead of caring for other’s lives and health like Jesus, have I punched or fought others?<br />
(6) Instead of respecting males and females equally like Jesus, have I not treated males or females<br />
equally, rejected them or not been equally friendly to both?<br />
(7) Instead of respecting what belongs to others, have I stolen or not returned what is not mine?<br />
(7) Instead of caring for God’s creation and creatures, have I caused deliberate damage or cruelty<br />
to creatures?<br />
(8) Instead of telling the truth always like Jesus, have I told lies or made up stories about others?<br />
(8) Instead of being honest always like Jesus, have I ever cheated?<br />
(8) Instead of always doing what is right like Jesus, have I gone along with others in doing wrong?<br />
(8) Instead of encouraging others to live as God wants, have I ever made fun of others because<br />
they pray or do not want to do wrong?<br />
(10) Instead of being generous and sharing like Jesus, have I been greedy or jealous about what<br />
others have?<br />
Resource Sheet 4 Gifted By The Spirit
A<br />
Linked to The Year Seven Unit Spirit of Truth<br />
C3 Christians are called to live the First Commandment<br />
Christians live this first of the Ten Commandments by living faith, hope and charity.<br />
Faith<br />
People love God when they show faith in God. They do so when they believe in:<br />
• God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit<br />
• all that Jesus, the Son of God, has taught<br />
• all Jesus’ promises.<br />
Hope<br />
People show this faith when they hope in all the promises of Jesus:<br />
• that God will love them always<br />
• that God will help them to live as Jesus taught<br />
• that God will bring good out of every situation, no matter how evil it might be<br />
• that God will lead them to heaven if they live as God calls.<br />
Charity<br />
Charity means living the Two Great Commandments of Jesus – to love God and to love our<br />
neighbour.<br />
Charity towards God is shown whenever people [cf. Catechism 2094]:<br />
• give thanks for all God gives<br />
• try to respond to God’s love, especially through worship and prayer.<br />
Charity towards others is shown through any way we love our neighbour – that is, we try to<br />
do what is for our neighbour’s good (which may not always be what they want).<br />
From the First of the Ten Commandments, what are some of the characteristics God hopes<br />
the Christian will show to others in the society in which the Christian lives?<br />
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Another story, which emerged from America two years ago, emerged after the<br />
shootings in Columbine High school. Cassie Bernall was only 14 on the day two<br />
fellow students went on a shooting rampage through the school. They came looking<br />
for Cassie because she had openly stated that she believed in Jesus, went to Church<br />
and had refused to give up her values and beliefs. As she hid beneath a desk, the two<br />
students, gun in hands, faced her and offered her an ultimatum, if she denied Jesus,<br />
she could live, if she refused, they would shoot her. Cassie made a decision to be<br />
true to herself and her beliefs, she made the sign of the cross in front of them and<br />
was shot. But her death was not in vain. Because of her belief and love and the way<br />
she lived, many of her friends returned to the Church and have openly declared their<br />
desire to change and follow Christ. The following song was written by Michael W<br />
Smith for Cassie’s funeral. As well as reminding Cassie’s friends that she had lived<br />
life to the full, it challenged them and us to consider how we live our lives, and if<br />
faced with the same question as Cassie to think about what we would say.<br />
THIS IS YOUR TIME<br />
Michael W Smith<br />
It was a test we could all hope to pass<br />
But none of us would want to take<br />
Faced with the choice to deny God and live<br />
For her there was one choice to make<br />
This was her time, this was her dance<br />
She lived every moment left nothing to chance<br />
She swam in the sea, drank of the deep<br />
Embraced the mystery of all she could be<br />
This was her time<br />
Though you are mourning and grieving your loss<br />
Death died a long time ago<br />
Swallowed in life so her life carries on ~ <strong>St</strong>ill it’s so hard to let go.<br />
This was her time, this was her dance<br />
She lived every moment left nothing to chance<br />
She swam in the sea, drank of the deep<br />
Embraced the mystery of all she could be<br />
What if tomorrow, what if today<br />
Faced with the question, O what would you say?<br />
This is your time, this is your dance<br />
Live every moment leave nothing to chance<br />
Swim in the sea, drink of the deep<br />
And fall on the Mercy and hear yourself praying<br />
Won’t you save me
Spend a moment in silence reflecting to yourself.<br />
Faced with the question what would you say ????<br />
(This is personal and not for sharing)<br />
What are some of the ways the Saint you’ve chosen for <strong>Confirmation</strong><br />
answered ‘Yes’ to God?<br />
This is our time. Our time to make a difference and to develop our relationship<br />
with God. <strong>Confirmation</strong> strengthens us to do this.<br />
This is our dance! This is our time to get up and to stand out. To live life to the full,<br />
rather than sitting back and letting it pass us by.<br />
Let us pray that we will develop the Gifts given to us at <strong>Confirmation</strong>. That we will<br />
have the courage to stand apart from the crowd and to live lives of love, where we<br />
reach out to others and lead them to know how much God loves them.<br />
For Reflection and Sharing<br />
What is your dream? What gifts do you bring to the world?<br />
What would you like to do in the future to change our world for the better/how<br />
would you like to make a difference?<br />
There were saints from yesterday and saints from today,<br />
let us pray that we will be the saints of tomorrow.<br />
Closing Prayer: (Let us pray together)<br />
Spirit of God, seal our hearts with the Spirit of Your Love.<br />
Give us the courage of the saints to love when it is easier to hate,<br />
to see beauty beneath what is ugly, and to bring hope to our world.<br />
Teach us to have reverence and respect for all of life<br />
and to look for ways to respond to the Gifts you have given us.<br />
Keep us always open to the Spirit’s presence in our world.<br />
We ask this for thy Kingdom’s sake. Amen
2<br />
Banta, Margaret (1994) Parish Reconciliation Services<br />
Twenty Third Publications Mystic, CT<br />
Costello, Gwen (2000) Reconciliation Services for Children<br />
Twenty Third Publications Mystic, CT<br />
Crilly, Oliver (1993) Penitential Services<br />
Columba Press, Dublin<br />
Neary, Donal. (1994) Forty Masses with Young People.<br />
Columba Press, Dublin<br />
Wintour, Rina (1999) Sacred Celebrations for Lent. Mountjoy Enterprises, Brisbane, Australia.<br />
Wintour, Rina (2000) Sacred Celebrations: Liturgies for Children . Mountjoy Enterprises,<br />
Brisbane, Australia.<br />
SYMBOLS & BANNERS<br />
Daly, Susan (1990) Graphics for Sundays Feast Days. Collins Dove, Burwood Victoria<br />
Gambold, Margaret (2000) Banners & Graphics for Jubilation. John Garratt Publishing,<br />
Mulgrave, Victoria.<br />
Harms, Carol J (1988) Banners for Worship. Concordia Publishing House, <strong>St</strong> Louis, MO<br />
Jahne, Mary (1996) Church Graphics for all occasions. Dove Publications, Victoria, Australia<br />
PHOTO LANGUAGE<br />
Cooney, J. & Burton, K. 1986 Photo Language Australia (A or B):<br />
human values Catholic Education Office of Sydney (PO Box 217,Leichhardt NSW 2040).<br />
MUSIC<br />
Hands - Jewel from the album Spirit<br />
http://boomersint.org/myhands.htm<br />
(Hands song online have volume on computer turned up)<br />
This is Your Time – Geoff Bullock from the album This Is Your Time<br />
Learn to Fly – Shannon Noll from the album That’s What I’m Talking About
WEBSITES<br />
http://www.silk.net/RelEd/saintsactivities.htm<br />
This site contains a few suggested activities which aim to helping students learn about saints,<br />
identify with them, and reflect on the role of saints.<br />
http://www.franklincovey.com/cgi-bin/teens/teens-msb/part01/<br />
This exercise will help students to create their own Personal Mission <strong>St</strong>atement. Taking time to<br />
seriously consider answers to the questions will help them to define their values, principles, and<br />
what matters most in their life.<br />
To give this a <strong>Confirmation</strong> slant, encourage students to choose the values and qualities of their<br />
saints as they move through the program. On completion students will have a completed mission<br />
statement.<br />
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212302/motherteresachil<br />
d.gif&imgrefurl=http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212302/motherteresa.html&h=250&w=188&sz=<br />
25&tbnid=YMuWor1NirkJ:&tbnh=105&tbnw=79&start=23&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmother%2Bt<br />
eresa%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN<br />
A website on heroes created by young people challenging young people to be heroes and to make a<br />
difference.<br />
http://www.mattieonline.com/<br />
An inspirational story worth sharing and inspiring students with.<br />
Mattie J.T. <strong>St</strong>epanek was a 13-year-old young man who was born with a rare neuromuscular<br />
disease called dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy. His disease is one of the 43 types of diseases<br />
being researched by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.<br />
http://www.macscouter.com/Games/Volume2.html<br />
A Scouts site which contains a number of team building games for camps and <strong>retreat</strong>s<br />
http://www.cafod.org.uk/resources/worship/confirmation_and_rcia_resources/cafod_and_confirmati<br />
on<br />
These pages include ideas, activities and resources that can help complement your confirmation<br />
programme, residential <strong>retreat</strong> or parish youth work.<br />
They represent justice as integral to the Gospel message. They encourage young people to put<br />
their faith into action, as members of the local and global community.<br />
http://www.silk.net/RelEd/lonsdale.htm<br />
These resources were originally found on Fr. Lonsdale Web site - catholic1.com - Fr. Lonsdale passed away<br />
in 2003 and his site is no longer online.<br />
Copyright notice that appeared on the home page of Fr. Lonsdale's web site:<br />
All of the materials on this website may be freely reproduced by anyone for non-profit use. They may not be<br />
included in any commercial book, collection or CD-ROM without the express written permission of the<br />
publisher. All materials © 2002 by Father Richard Lonsdale 103 Silver <strong>St</strong>reet, Waterville, ME 04901-5923<br />
http://liturgyplanning.com/liturgy/index.html<br />
Monica Brown’s website to assist teachers with planning and preparing liturgy.