THURSDAY, APRIL 23

DAY 36 - CONFIRMATION

Often misunderstood simply as a "coming of age ceremony," this sacrament is far more powerful and efficacious. Through Confirmation, the Baptized Christian receives a strengthening (the word Confirmation comes from the latin word "confirmare" which means "strengthening") of the Holy Spirit. The Christian is branded into Jesus' Kingdom and is given more aid to live the Christian faith and continue Christ' mission to bring the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth.

See our previous Bible Study on Pentecost to learn more about the very first Confirmation Ceremony in the Catholic Church.

From Our Spiritual Director ✝

Thursday Reflection

Readings

Acts 5:27-33Ps 34:2, 9, 17-18, 19-20John 3:31-35

There are not too many people who would be released from prison and return to their former way of life. For Peter and the Apostles, this was exactly what they did. They were imprisoned for believing and teaching what Jesus of Nazareth had taught. There are two words that come to mind this morning after reflecting on the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, courage and persistence. Both of these words find themselves at the core of our belief as Christians. Part of our mission as Christians is to be persistent and to have courage in the face of the unknown. We must continue to be witnesses to the Gospel and live out the commandments of Christ, but also have the courage to stand up for what we believe and be vocal about our faith. How are you called to be more persistent in your faith and how can you be more courageous in living out your faith around others?


Fr Matt Rawson

Weekly Challenge 🙌

Our new contest this week is "Holy Chef Cooking Show!" Just for fun, we're challenging our families to a baking/cooking show contest. Pick a favorite recipe, raid your pantry, put on your apron, setup your camera, and hit record! Use this form to submit videos of your show. Winner will be announced Friday, April 24th. All participants receive House Points and the winner gets extra points for their house!


*A Google account is required to submit. If you have trouble submitting through the form, just send an email to dan@holycrossdewitt.org. Thanks!

Check out Maddie's demonstration here!

Elementary (Grades 1-4)

See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn

Pray

Find all the prayers here.

    • Mealtime Prayers & Night Time Prayers

    • 5 mins - Praying for Others

Learn

The Main Points to Teach Your Child:

    1. The Sacraments are divided into three groups - 1) Initiation, 2) Healing, and 3) Service

      • Confirmation is a Sacrament of Initiation

    2. God gave us the Sacrament of Confirmation to strengthen the Holy Spirit that was given to us at Baptism.

      • Grace: God's inner life within us.

      • Confirmation joins us deeper to Jesus and empowers us to live the Gospel and spread the Gospel to the rest of the world "so that all might be saved."

    3. Outward Signs of Baptism are...

      • Matter -- the material used- - Oil (a sign of Strengthening, Consecrating, and Marking)

      • Form -- the words said -- “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit"

    4. Instituted by Christ --Confirmation began with Pentecost. Jesus gives the Apostles the Holy Spirit to empower them in their mission and to strengthen them in their fear.

      • All the Apostles are gathered together in the upper room, the Holy Spirit enters the room -- a mighty wind and tongues of fire rest upon their heads.

      • Apostles are strengthened by the Holy Spirit -- they are now encouraged and inspired to do the mission given to them by Jesus, "Baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

      • The Apostles go into the public square and boldly preach to everyone. The CHURCH is born!


A Note from Julie:

Dear Parents,

I share with you a simple, humble prayer to the Holy Spirit.

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Move in me, Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Attract my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy. Protect me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy. - Saint Augustine

God bless,

-Julie Sheridan


Additional Resources & Activities to do at Home

Video:

Resources


Middle School (Grades 5-8)

See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn

Pray

Find all the prayers here.

    • Basic Prayers

    • Ten Minutes of Silence

      • Intercessions

      • Thanksgiving

      • Reading the Bible

Learn

The Main Points that need to be learned or taught from this lesson

  • Explain the following about Confirmation:

  • To Give Grace (or what Grace is given) - to strengthen the grace given to us at Baptism.

  • Outward Sign

          • Matter (the Material Used) - Oil

          • Form (the Words Said) - “Be Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”

  • Instituted by Christ - Pentecost



Find a list of all these prayers here.


High School (Grades 9-12)

See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn

Pray



Find a list of all these prayers here.

Learn

Adults

See Day 1 for a longer explanation of what to do in Pray & Learn

Pray

  • Basic Prayers

    • A list of all these prayers are here.

For those new to prayer

  • First 10 mins - Talk to God


For those more experienced in prayer


Learn

Learn

Watch the faith formation resource video below to learn more about your faith.

“Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace; it is the sacrament which gives the Holy Spirit in order to root us more deeply in the divine filiation, incorporate us more firmly into Christ, strengthen our bond with the Church, associate us more closely with her mission, and help us bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.”


- CCC 1316