First Eucharist
First Eucharist Preparation
We hope your children are enjoying Faith Formation in our atrium spaces so far this year! Please remember that steady attendance every other week is an ESSENTIAL part of our Sacramental preparation.
Sacramental Preparation Dates – CLICK HERE
First Eucharist Preparation Registration Form – CLOSED
Our First Eucharist Sacramental Preparation also includes THREE MORE important events:
1. First Eucharist Retreat Evening: BOTH parents and children (choose one)
• Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 5:30-7:00 PM or
• Monday, February 12, 2024 at 7:00-8:30 PM
2. “What is Eucharist” with Fr. Bill: BOTH parents and children
• Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 5:30 PM
3. First Eucharist Rehearsal on Wednesday, April 10 at 5:30-6:30 PM
At the retreat evening, your child will receive a “Gold Book” to be completed at home to help round out their preparation.
Celebration of First Eucharist Weekend is April 13/14, 2024 at all Masses (Sat, 5PM, Sun 9AM & Sun 11AM) .for all children who have completed their Gold Books. Simply bring your completed book to the celebration for Fr. Bill to sign on the inside cover.
We believe in this community that every person gathered is called to “full, conscious and active participation.” Preparation for First Eucharist begins early in a child’s life through emphasis on the importance of family meals, family prayer and regular gathering with the parish community for Mass. Formal preparation is encouraged in the 2nd grade.
Reconciliation
- First Reconciliation Preparation
Parent & Child First Reconciliation Preparation Retreat (choose one)
Thursday, October 5 from 5:30-7:00 PM OR
Monday, November 6 from 7:00-8:30 PM - “What is Reconciliation” with Fr Bill. Parents only attend.
Monday, November 20, 2023 at 6:00 PM - Celebration of Sacrament
Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:00 AM
Sacramental Preparation Dates – CLICK HERE
First Reconciliation Preparation Registration Form – CLOSED
Confirmation
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Confirmation Mass
Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 2PM with Bishop Fisher
Confirmation Rehearsal
Thursday May 2nd. 6:30-8:30pm (Sponsors need to be present)
Parent and Child Orientation dates (need only attend ONE):
Thursday, August 10 at 5:30PM – 6:30PM OR
Monday, August 21 at 7:00 – 8:00PM
For those who missed Orientation we will have a brief Re-cap at 6:00 before the first in person session Tues. Oct. 17th
Schedule and In-Person Preparation Dates (need to attend all) 6:30-8:00pm at CTR:
Parent Handout with dates:Confirmation Parent Handout
Tuesday October 17 - 6:30-8:30pm in the Bethany Room.
First In Person Session: Opening prayer- Jesus in the Boat.
- JOURNALS AND ALL DETAILS FOR PREPARATION WILL BE PROVIDED AT THIS MEETING!
- It is VERY IMPORTANT that BOTH the young person preparing for Confirmation AND at least one parent attend.
Thurs. Oct. 26: Penitential Rite- Salvation, Redemption, Hope.
Thurs. Nov. 9: Liturgy of the Word- Catholic Scripture
Thurs. Nov. 16: Presentation of the Gifts- Spiritual Gifts, Offering ourselves and Prayer
Advent : Nov. 3-Dec. 24 - St. Nicholas Project and events at church - opportunities for Service and Prayer
Christmas: Dec.24-Jan. 7: Christmas Masses and Star of Wonder Event - Jan. 7
Thurs Jan 11: Overview of Church History with Fr Bill
Thurs Jan. 18: Liturgy of the Eucharist: Sacraments and Sacramental Life- Eucharist and the Body of Christ
Sun Jan. 21: 2-8pm- Confirmation Retreat/Day of Reflection - Subiaco Benedictine Retreat House (Registation required - See Below)
Thurs. Feb. 1: Communion: Taking Care of the Body of Christ- Unity, Human Dignity, Catholic Social Teaching, Solidarity
Ash Wed. Feb. 14 - Beginning of Lent
Thurs. Feb. 15: Sending forth- Being a disciple on Mission
Lent 2024 - Thursdays in Lent - opportunities for Service, prayer and renewal.
Thurs. Apr. 11: Being Easter People- Resurrection and Hope - Small Group- Interviews
Thurs. Apr. 18: What is Confirmation with Fr Bill - Small Group interviews
Thurs. Apr. 25: Holy Spirit- Anointing, Oil, Chrism- Small Group interviews
Thurs. May 2 - Confirmation Rehearsal- Practice with Sponsor
General Info
Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation is open to all incoming 8th through 12th grade students who are baptized and have received First Eucharist.
Adults 18+ are encouraged to contact our parish office and talk to Drew Peters - Engagement/OCIA to determine the best route of preparation for the Sacrament. 248-391-1621 x112 or email- engagement@ctredeemer.org - For further info about OCIA: CLICK HERE
REGISTRATION CLICK HERE. Please call the parish office if you have any questions, 248-391-1621.
Links for Current Confirmation Students:
Retreat Registration January 21, 2024, Fee $50: CLICK HERE to Register.
CONFIRMATION EXPECTATIONS OF TEENS – at a glance
- Pray daily for at least 10 minutes
- Regular mass attendance
- Attend day-long retreat
- Listen to all virtual teachings
- Attend Journal Progress Check/Small Group Discussions
- Participate in classes
- Choose a qualified confirmation sponsor
- Share in four (or more) hour-long discussions with chosen sponsor
- Participate in one or more parish-sponsored service projects
- Complete this journal with maturity and diligence
- Learn/Review basic Catholic prayers
- Attend Confirmation rehearsal with sponsor
- Attend Confirmation Liturgy
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS – at a glance
“Parents are the first and foremost catechists of their children. They catechize informally but powerfully by example and instruction…as the primary educators of their children; parents are to be intimately involved in the catechesis of Confirmation. This will help them renew and strengthen their own faith, besides enabling them to set a better example for their children (NCD, no. 119, 212).
- Register your child on-line
- Complete and return all required paperwork
- Worship with your family regularly
- Be actively involved in the preparation of your child
- Engage your family in discussion about the material covered virtually and in class
- Faithfully bring your child to sessions
- Actively help your son or daughter discern the best Confirmation sponsor
- Pray for and with your children every day
- Read and respond to all email communications
NOTE: Email is our primary means of communication. Please be sure we have a WORKING EMAIL address for your family and add us to your contacts so our messages do not end up in your spam folder. If important communications are missed, this will QUITE LIKELY delay the celebration of the sacrament for your child.
Discerning Readiness
The USCCB provides a thought provoking article on the Sacrament of Confirmation and offers the following reflection questions to help with discerning readiness for the Sacrament:
- What does it mean to be part of the Body of Christ?
- What gifts have you been given? How are you called to use those gifts to benefit others?
- Who are you called to be? What are you called to do with your life?
- What is the mission of the Church? What is your role in carrying it out? To what are you commissioned?
- How do the lives of the saints inspire you to “give off the aroma of Christ”?
What Confirmation is ...
Confirmation is the Sacrament that completes our initiation into the Catholic Church and strengthens us through the power of the Holy Spirit. This strength helps us to be a disciple in the world and to become a more active member of the Church.
To register for Confirmation teens and parents are invited to an Orientation/Registration Session. It is important that both parent and teen are present. Orientation dates for 2023-2024 are Thursday, August 10 at 5:30 PM OR Monday, August 21, at 7:00 PM.
Choosing a Confirmation Sponsor FAQs
As a parent, what is my role?
The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary educators of their children. This is especially so regarding the Faith and Sacramental preparation. Leading by example is the best way you can educate your children in the faith. Make Sunday mass a priority. Carve out time (10 minutes) in your day for personal prayer; pray for your family, pray for your child as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Develop or continue a family prayer routine. If your child has questions about the faith, don’t be alarmed. Encourage them to ask and seek answers.
What is the role of a Confirmation sponsor?
Confirmation sponsors are active members of the Catholic church who are willing to walk with students as they prepare for Confirmation, present the candidate for Confirmation, and then continue to accompany the newly confirmed throughout their faith journey. Candidates are working on their Confirmation Journals and these involve discussions with sponsors. Sponsors need to encourage involvement and participation in this process and to be present in the preparation the best that time and place can allow.
What are the qualifications of a Confirmation sponsor?
1. Be a Confirmed Catholic who is at least 16 years old.
2. Be a person who leads an active faith life.
3. If you need help finding a sponsor, please contact Drew Peters at engagement@ctredeemer.org
4. Parents are not allowed to be the sponsor of their own child.
Can a godparent be a Confirmation sponsor?
Yes! There is a deep connection between the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation because these Sacraments are connected the Church recommends that godparent be considered for the role of sponsor.
How do I choose a Confirmation sponsor?
Choose someone who you deem a role model in the faith and someone you can talk to.
Questions?
Please contact Dawn at secretary@ctredeemer.org.
Adults who have never celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation are encouraged to contact Drew Peters, engagement@ctredeemer.org, to determine the best route of preparation for the Sacrament.