St. Bernadette Parish
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION
Parents, sponsor, and candidates - the followup questions from tonight's session are enclosed below.

PARENTS, please note that you must read the Confirmation Mass information & fill out the enclosed questions ASAP, and no later than March 24th! Please let me know if you have any questions.

CANDIDATES must complete Discipleship Plan 2.0 (linked below) no later than the day of our final candidate-only session, April 14th.

Followup From Tonight's Candidate Session
Dear parents, candidates, and sponsors,

Too often we can relegate the miraculous stories in the Bible to the same category as fairy tales or science fiction. The reality is that not only is the power of the Holy Spirit we see in the Bible real, but it is available to each one of us still today. In this session your teens discussed the story of Pentecost and learned how the Holy Spirit empowers us, particularly in our witness of the faith. They also began the process of writing down "mini-stories" of how they have experienced the presence of God in their lives. This process and other items needed for the "HOMESTRETCH" of Confirmation preparation are included in Discipleship Plan 2.0, whichis due no later than April 14th.

Here are some of the main points we discussed:
  • We have access to the same Holy Spirit given to the apostles at Pentecost through the grace of the sacraments and prayer.
  • The Holy Spirit empowers us to share our faith, to be bold witnesses.
  • “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” - Albert Einstein
  • We can experience God's presence in our ordinary life, in times of suffering, and in the fourfold movement of the kerygma (the gospel).
  • It is important to practice sharing Jesus by putting into words the stories of how WE have experienced God's presence, because this is how we give hope and respond to the call to be WITNESSES who bring the good news to others.

FOLLOWUP QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS & SPONSORS:

  • ASK: Who do you know who seems to live with the Holy Spirit "untied" in his or her life? What evidence do you see in his or her life of the Holy Spirit's work?

  • SHARE: A mini-story (3-10 sentences - access the reflection guide here) of how a specific way you have experienced the presence of God in your ordinary life, in a time of suffering, and/or through the fourfold movement of the kergyma/gospel. Help your candidate to put his or her own mini-story into words (NOTE: they will be asked to share a mini-story in Discipleship Plan 2.0, due on or before April 14th).

  • DISCUSS: How are you feeling about being Confirmed now that it is so close? Will you be taking a Saint's name or affirming your baptismal name for your Confirmation name (see Discipleship Plan 2.0).

  • PRAY: Read through the theme scripture from tonight (below), slowly, listening for what God is saying to you through the passage. Perhaps use the lectio divina method to guide you: https://tinyurl.com/LectioDivinaStepByStep
TONIGHT'S THEME SCRIPTURE: YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES!
“But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea
and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
(Acts 1:8)

Sponsor & Parents, don't forget to check out the resources on the Confirmation 2021 home page, including the Confirmation Candidate-Sponsor Bible Study resource and instructions on how to access tonight's candidate session video on Formed.org,
The HOMESTRETCH:
Final Tasks & Gatherings in the
Confirmation Prep Journey
Be sure that you have the following dates marked on your calendar:

  • Wednesday, March 24th - Parent Info & Survey Form DUE
  • Wednesday, April 14th, 7:00-8:30 pm - Candidate Session & Discipleship Plan 2.0 DUE
  • VIRTUAL and IN PERSON modes available this night.
  • Sunday, April 18th, 6:00-8:00 pm - Rehearsal & Night of Reflection
  • ALL candidates MUST attend in person, with at least one parent & (if possible) their sponsor. NO VIRTUAL OPTION IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS MANDTORY GATHERING.

  • Saturday, April 24th, 7:00 pm - Confirmation Liturgy
  • Please note that there will be limitations to the number of guests each candidate will be allotted. The Mass will, however, be livestreamed for those guests who cannot be present in person.
  • We will communicate the details as the liturgy draws closer; however, if you already know that members of your immediate household and/or a sponsor will NOT be in attendance, please let us know ASAP, as this helps us to plan.
  • Reminder: Candidates MUST be present in person in order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

All forms & additional resources for candidates, sponsors, and parents are available on the Confirmation landing page:
JOIN US FOR MASS & MERCY!
Our next Mass & Mercy Night is Sunday, March 21st. YOU ARE INVITED! (Service hours are available upon request.) Watch the bulletin & update emails from Fr. Patrick for the Signup Form (Mass & Mercy will be included in the formsite for the entire weekend of MAsses and events on March 20 & 21.)
NEXT CANDIDATE SESSION: April 14th!
Candidates, we'll look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, April 14th accoring to your modes - and you IN PERSON along with your parents/sponsors, as well, for the Rehearsal/Night of reflection on April 18th!

Come, Holy Spirit!

Ms. Rena