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. Al. 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, and individual confession of sins to a priest. Although this celebration usually occurs during Advent, due to the late start of PSF the 2011/2012 celebration will be on Wednesday, January 11, at 6:30 pm. The sacramental celebration includes the students and their families, especially their parents. Preparation occurs in the classroom and at home. In addition to the classroom/home work, there is a required parent meeting and a child/parent workshop to prepare for the sacrament. The workshop will be held on Saturday, December 3rd, from 9 am - 12 Noon.
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; 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, Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 9 am; a Saturday morning workshop, April 14 from 9 am until Noon.Those preparing elsewhere, but receiving at Newman, are invited to participate in the workshop and the recognition at Mass. The celebration of the sacrament will be on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, 2012.
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 the "Elements of Confirmation, 2012" below. Candidates are expected to attend the Youth Ministry meetings in January through March, but are always welcome to participate in all YM meetings.
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 Ministry sessions 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 2012
Candidates: 25: 13 girls/12 boys
Monday, August 29- Parent Meeting,7 pm - Church
Sunday, September 4 – Registration due in parish office
Wednesdays, Sept.-Oct. - Discipleship sessions with Fr.Al Wierzba September 7, 14, 21
and Oct. 5, 12, 19. Sessions 7-8:30 pm
Sunday, October 16 - Rite of Commitment at 9:00 am Mass
Wednesday, October 19- List of parish mentors to be distributed at class
Tuesday, November 1 (All Saints)– Last day to name parish mentor
November 12 or February 11 – Saturday Retreat at Newman, 11 am – 6 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 9 – Dessert -Candidates/parents and mentors to meet, 6:30 pm
November-March - Candidate/mentor meetings
December/January – One-on-one conversations with Kristin, youth minister
Wednesdays, January and February – Youth Ministry meetings (total of 9 meetings/adjusted for Aquinas students)
During Lent - Lenten Reconciliation experience, 7 pm, a Wednesday evening
March/April - One-on-one interview with Fr. Al
Wednesdays, April 11, 18 - 7-8:30 pm, Spring meetings with Fr. Al
Rehearsal – Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00 pm in Church
Confirmation celebration - Sunday, April 29, 3:00 pm at Newman