Confirmation Retreat II: Purify My Heart Friday, January 27, 2017
Queen of Angels Parish Confirmation Preparation 2016-2017
4:30 Arrive / Pick up name-tags, choose a card from the deck and keep it handy
Meal Prayer - Group sung prayer Rachel
Dinner – clean up after yourself
4:55 Icebreaker – “Shuffle the Deck” led by Rachel
- Candidates get in different groups/orders by value, suit, color, etc. as time allows
5:05 Talk – The Upper Room / Christian Witness Rachel w/ assistance
- Scripture reading from Acts 1:1-14 – Stella Peters
- nature of the prayer of the apostles
- teach first half of refrain to “Refiner’s Fire”
- difficult task ahead, the “witness of the martyrs” -- can’t be “lukewarm”
- Scripture reading from Revelation 3:14-22 – Jim Hohner
- how do we witness to Christ through Confirmation Prep? after Confirmation?
5:20 Prayer – “Pass the Cross” Rachel
- each row gets a hand cross to pass; each candidate responds inwardly in prayer
5:35 Talk – Pentecost / Symbols of Confirmation Rachel w/ assistance
- Scripture reading from Acts 2:1-12 – Patty Peterson
- effect of the Spirit to transform the lives of the Apostles
- teach second half of refrain to “Refiner’s Fire”
- so why do we anoint with oil and not with fire or wind?
- anointed not just as a witness, but chosen as priest, prophet and king
5:50 Breakout Session / Chosen as Priest, Prophet & King Catechists
- some groups will go down hallway or downstairs to other rooms
- groups explore themes: - priest (Yellow/Green): Hebrews 4:14-16
- king (Blue/Purple): 2 Samuel 5:1-2 & Psalm 61:1-9
- prophet (Red/Orange): 2 Samuel 12:1-7
- brainstorm what is needed for that role
- read Scripture passage(s) which illustrates that role
- discuss the passage(s) and answer a few questions
- each group will need to select a scribe to record brainstorming and answers
6:15 Return to Large Group / Share answers Groups
6:25 Talk – Purification and Continuing Conversion Rachel w/assistance
- Scripture reading from Malachi 3:1-4 – Roine Dryer-Michaels
- purification removes anything that is not of value, can feel like being “tested”
- teach verses to “Refiner’s Fire” and mention “Shake it Off”
- Scripture reading from Acts 9:1-22 – Monica Hohner
6:45 Catechist Witness – Conversion and Challenge Roine
- share a time you felt tested and your faith grew stronger as a result
- opportunity for questions & comments from candidates and/or other stories from catechists
CONTINUED à
7:00 Making a Good Confession Monica
- “Sacraments 101: Why We Confess” video from BustedHalo
- Rachel leaves to open the church & set up for Reconciliation
- how to pray during the Examination of Conscience
- steps for confession (also listed on the back of the worship aid), lighting candles
7:15 Clean up & Pack / Restroom / Coats on (bundle up!) Catechists
7:25 Out the door – Walk to Church (Monica, Jim, Roine remain behind to clean up)
7:30 Reconciliation Prayer Service Msgr. Jim & ???
- see worship aid for the order of service
- candidates light a candle at center aisle to show that they’ve gone to confession
- after candidates have returned from confession, they may pray quietly, then go
to the gathering space at the back of church to complete an evaluation
- pick up Confirmation Novena handout when done with evaluation
- catechists help with maintaining a prayerful atmosphere, but may also go to
confession once candidates have gone
What is a Novena? Stella
8:25 Reminders and Closing Prayer Rachel
8:30 Dismissal