Sacramental Preparation
Reconciliation - The preparation of this sacrament of reconciliation occurs at two religious education grade levels: Second and Fourth
Second Grade: At this level the children experience the sacrament individually with Fr. Mark. The dates scheduled for this experience are early in the second semester. The children are prepared in the PSF classroom using the grade-level textbook. The lessons are geared toward a gentle, matter-of-fact presentation of the sacrament. The children will learn the order of the sacrament with the help of the catechists and some discussion at home. There is no workshop or special celebration in conjunction with the reconciliation experience.
Fourth Grade: At this level the older children experience the sacrament in a communal setting. The celebration includes scripture readings, reflection, an examination of conscience, community prayer, andindividual confession of sins to a priest. This celebration includes the students and their families, especially their parents. A parent meeting is held prior to the event to discuss the celebration of the sacrament. In addition, a child/parent workshop is held at Newman on a Saturday morning from 9 am to 12 Noon to prepare for the sacrament. This workshop is scheduled for November 21st. At least one parent is expected to attend this workshop with their child. The communal celebration of the sacrament will be on Wednesday, December 9, at 6:30 pm
First Eucharist - The first reception of the sacrament of Eucharist usually occurs at the second grade level.The celebration includes children prepared in the PSF sessions and those prepared within the Aquinas Catholic Schools and those prepared within a home-school environment. The PSF preparation includes class work,a family recognition at Mass, and a Saturday morning workshop.Those preparing elsewhere, but receiving at Newman, are invited to participate in the workshop and the recognition at Mass. Because of the impending start of Phase II of our planned renovation, the celebration of the sacrament is different than our usual May date. First Eucharist will be held this year on Sunday, April 25, 2010.
Confirmation - In our parish, high school sophomores are invited to prepare for this last initiation sacrament. Preparation begins with a parent meeting in late August of each year and continues through the academic year (see below for the elements of Confirmation). The sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, May 2, 2010.
Confirmation, Parish Life and Youth Ministry
Sacraments and parish life go together, hand-in-hand. Babies are baptized through a parish, we celebrate Eucharist as a parish, we are married through a parish; priests and deacons are called from a parish community and the sacraments of healing are celebrated within a parish. The sacrament of Confirmation, too, is celebrated within the life of a parish.
The primary parish community for young people preparing for Confirmation at Newman is the parish Youth Ministry program. Therefore, attending Youth Ministrysessions is a key element in our preparation for this sacrament of initiation. As the young people will learn, part of being a disciple of Christ is having a sense of belonging together. Our Youth Ministry program is designed to provide a place for high school students to grow in that sense of belonging to the Newman community and the wider Church community. Following a regular schedule the Confirmation candidates will come together with other parish youth for social activiies and lessons. They will learn what it means to be part of a parish community and will gain a better understanding of being a disciple of Christ within their everyday life. During sacramental preparation belonging to Youth Ministry is not "in addition to", but is "an essential element of" growing in faith for youth.
ELEMENTS OF CONFIRMATION 2010
November 7 and February 6 – Saturday Retreat at Newman, 11 am – 6 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 11th – Dessert -Candidates/parents and mentors to meet, 7 pm
November-March - Candidate/mentor meetings.
(large group optional activity for Candidates/Mentors, Wednesday, December 2, 7 pm, lower level conference room)
January – One-on-one interview with Kristin, youth minister (see schedule below, email Kristin with your preferred times kjohnson2@charterinternet.com )
3 Wednesdays, January; 4 Wednesdays, February; 2 Wednesdays, March (Aquinas students to attend 6 of these YM meetings TBA) – Youth Ministry meetings
During Lent - Lenten Reconciliation experience, 7 pm, a Wednesday evening
After Easter (April 04) - One-on-one interview with Fr. Mark
(He will notify candidates)
Wednesdays, April 14, 21 - Sessions on Confirmation ritual
Rehearsal – Wednesday before Confirmation Sunday
Confirmation celebration – Sunday, May 2
Confirmation Interviews 2009/2010
Monday January 4th
6:00-6:15
6:20-6:35
6:40-6:55
Tuesday January 5th
3:30-3:45
3:45-4:05
Wednesday January 6th
6:00-6:15.
6:20-6:35
8:40-8:55
Thursday January 7th
3:30-3:45
3:50-4:05
4:10-4:25
4:30-4:45
Tuesday January 12th
3:30-3:45
3:50-4:05
Wednesday January 13th
3:20-3:35
3:40-3:55
4:00-4:15
6:00-6:15
6:20-6:35
Thursday January 14
3:30-3:45
3:50-4:05
Tuesday January 19th
3:30-3:45
3:50-4:05
Wednesday January 20
6:00-6:15
6:20-6:35
8:40-8:55
Thursday January 21
3:30-3:45
3:50-4:05
**If you are unable to make your scheduled appointment please call 784-4994 before 4pm or 780-5189 after 4pm**
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