Overview 2020-2021 Calendar Enrollment Overview Registration & Required Paperwork Contacts & Resources

2020-2021

Welcome Confirmandi and Parents!

We are delighted to welcome you, your family, and sponsor on this very exciting journey to the Sacrament of Confirmation and beyond! We are pleased to offer you this guide as a road map through this year, specifically addressing how to enroll and the required milestones to fulfill along the way.

Confirmand, this journey is about YOU and your growing, maturing relationship with God the Father, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and the power and promise given in the Holy Spirit! The journey to the Sacrament of Confirmation is done once in your lifetime and is just the beginning of a lifetime of grace you can continue to call upon for the rest of your life. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, {then} I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

This journey is about continuing to respond to the call of the Lord, knocking on the door of your heart, allowing Him in to share your life, and giving Him permission. By your baptism, you are a beloved son or daughter of God and are offered the gift of grace to be a member in the family of God, the body of Christ. You are not alone. You belong as a vital member of our family. With all this being said, our hope and desire is that you take this time to prepare well to receive all the graces and blessings the Lord has in store for you!

A pilgrimage is a spiritual journey to a Holy place. Sometimes people go on a pilgrimage in search of answers to questions, and sometimes they do it to thank God for a special favor. The Camino is a pilgrimage, a five-hundred- mile walk that begins in the South of France, crosses the Pyrenees into Spain, and then works its way west across Spain, finishing in Santiago de Compostela, where St. James, one of the twelve apostles is buried. Pilgrims leave shells, like the one seen at the beginning of this paragraph, to mark the path to follow, also known as "the way”. Pilgrims discover that there is no destination reached only new beginnings and transformation toward our true destination, eternal life with Jesus. Like the pilgrims that walk the Camino, you have an opportunity to experience something extraordinary as you travel these next several months preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation and entering more deeply into your commitment as a disciple of Jesus Christ and the wonderful adventure and mission that awaits you. Through quality time praying and playing in your small groups on Sunday evenings and our retreat, service experiences, growing in relationship with the Lord and each other, times of prayer, Adoration, Thursday evenings once a month with your parent and sponsor, reading the Bible and YOUCAT, learning more about who Jesus is, what our Church teaches and discovering the lives of the Saints and the heroic lives of virtue they led will lay the foundation to inspire you on the mission and purpose to which the Lord is calling you.

This guide offers an overview of the journey. We hope that you make this year a priority to grow in deeper intimacy with the Lord, your Sponsor, and your Church family here, especially in your small group who love you very much! We are here to help and support you along the way, through our prayers, listening and being present to you as needed, as well as providing quality teaching, retreats and service opportunities to help you along your journey. Remember, this is just the beginning of your lifetime journey with the Lord and the Church He founded almost 2000 years ago. May your journey be as rich in treasure and memories as our hopes are for you!

The Journey to Confirmation

Phase 4

Prepare Your Phase 3 Heart

Attend Sessions & Serve in Ministry Life Nights Life in Spirit Phase 2 Submit Service Date Seminar Sacrament Complete by September 27th Adoration of Worksheets Phase 1 Complete Service Confirmation Tuesday evening Submit Info Session Submit Retreat Mass June 18th Required Liability Form & Paperwork via Pay Retreat Fee Reconciliation Calendar Google Form by November 20th Register by August 14th Attend Retreat on by July 17th January 9-10, 2021 Pay Registration Fee

By July 17, 2020 By august 14, 2020 By may 7, 2021 Rest of your life

Overview: Enrollment Process Phase 1 & 2

Calendar Info Session Registration Pay Fees Paperwork * Check dates for * June 18, 2020 , * ONLINE via Thursday & Sunday * ONLINE via Faith * Worksheets in 7-8 p.m. Faith Direct sessions & Service Direct packet * via Zoom dates * by July 17th * Faith Formation Office * Submit via * Check retreat Google Form date: January *by August 14th 9-10, 2021

You must complete all steps to be enrolled in Confirmation classes.

Phase 1: Registration Process

Attend an Info Session: Registration & Responsibilities, June 18th, from 7-8 pm, via Zoom or watch the videos sent through Flocknote.

Review the Calendar, for session, service and retreat dates. It can be found in this guide, on our website https://stmartha.com/confirmation, under the Sacraments tab, and, will be available via Flocknote.

Pay the Confirmation Registraton fee – For the Confirmation year 2020-2021, there will be 2 payments due: one for $80 (due July 17, 2020) for all Sessions and food/materials expenses, and another payment of $170 (due November 20, 2020) for Retreat expenses:

Cost: Covers: Due: $80 All Session fees, journal, food by 7/17/20 via Faith Direct or FFO $170 Retreat fees, food by 11/20/20 via Faith Direct or FFO

At registraton, ONLY the $80 fee is due. Please do NOT pay the $170 Retreat fee at this time. You will be provided more information regarding the Retreat, and, at that time, the $170 will be due. Please do not pay for the Retreat until you are notified to do so.

Payments can be made via Faith Direct by credit card, or at the Faith Formation Office (FFO), by cash, check or credit card. The Faith Formation Office is open M-F, 9:00 a.m. - 4 p.m., and has an after-hours drop slot at the door for your convenience.

PLAN AHEAD: Please mark your calendar! The Confirmation Retreat is scheduled for January 9-10, 2021.

For assistance with registration or class information, please see the Contacts & Resources section at the end of this guide. For financial assistance or to discuss payment options, please contact Program Manager, Salisha Miller. Contact information can be found in the Contacts & Resources section, located at the back of this guide.

Complete by July 17, 2020

Registration via Faith Direct

Registration for Confirmation must be completed online, via Faith Direct, or, for assistance as needed, please call or come into our office. This Information packet includes detailed instructions on how to complete the Faith Direct online form. Please note that in ADDITION to registering online via Faith Direct, there are several documents that will be required, as described later in this information packet. BOTH the online Faith Direct registration and the required documents are necessary to complete the enrollment and to ensure a spot in the Confirmation class.

To complete the Confirmation registration via Faith Direct: (see screenshots that follow): 1. Click on this link to Faith Direct: https://membership.faithdirect.net/events/details/4499 2. Scroll to the bottom, to the “SELECT REGISTRATION” heading, and payment option 1 (Pay $80 by credit card). 3. In the drop-down box, select QTY of students enrolling: select 1 (Note: you must enroll 1 student at a time, so select 1. This opens up the registration form for you to fill out) 4. Fill in the requested data for your child in the registration form 5. Click on the “Continue Registration” button to finish out your registration and go to the payment screen.

For questions or assistance with any of the Registration, contact Salisha Miller. If you don’t have Internet access to complete the Faith Direct Registration form, please contact Salisha to receive a paper copy.

Complete by: July 17, 2020

Faith Direct Registraton – Screenshots

1. Click on link: https://membership.faithdirect. net/events/details/4499

2. Scroll to the bottom, to “Select Registration” heading

3. Select the quantity “1” to register 1 student at a time

You must enroll 1 student at a time, so under Quantity, select 1. After entering “1”, the Registration data entry page opens.

4. The Registration form opens: Fill in all the requested data for your child

5. Click on “Continue Registration” to finish your Registration & go to the

Payment Screen

Phase 2: Required Activities & Paperwork

Please note that there are some documents that are submitted via Google Form, at our website https://stmartha.com/confirmation.

1. Choose a Confirmation Saint

__ Read and do: Holy Role Models: How to Choose a Confirmation Saint __ Complete Choosing a Confirmation Saint Form via Google Form

2. Journey With Your Sponsor

__ Read and do: Choosing a Confirmation Sponsor (2 pages worksheet) __ Submit your choice of Sponsor via Google Form at the Confirmation website at Deepen your relationship with your sponsor throughout the year through once a month Thursday evening Adoration and Confirmation Prep Session. Keeping in touch through phone and Facetime, etc. Share your faith journey with them and ask about their faith life. How may they pray for you? How may you pray for them?

3. Mark Your Calendar:

- Service Experience Day: November 7, 2020 or February 27, 2021

- Retreat: January 9-10, 2021 There will be more information, including liability forms to follow and to be turned in at a later date.

For questions or assistance with any of the Required Activities or Paperwork, contact Salisha Miller. If you don’t have Internet access to complete the Google form, please contact Salisha to receive a paper copy.

Complete by: August 14, 2020

Holy Role Models: How to Choose a Confirmation Saint

“St. Paul: the greatest evangelist the world has ever known. He started out as a devout Jew, arresting Christians and turning them over to the Jewish courts for prosecution and death. Then Jesus (literally) knocked him off his high horse, asked why he was persecuting Jesus, and sent him to Damascus. After a Christian, Ananias, prayed over him, Paul regained his sight, was catechized, and then went throughout the world proclaiming Jesus Christ as savior and king of the universe. (Acts of the Apostles) He worked many miracles and wrote most of the New Testament. His words have evangelized the world for over 2,000 years. I chose his name as my confirmation saint, probably out of a reluctance to fully give my life to God. I believed in Him, but just wasn’t quite ready to change my way of living. So that’s why I chose St. Paul. I basically told God, “I want to be holy, but not yet.” Looking back, if I’d known about St. Augustine at the time, I probably would have chosen him. But here I am, many years later, thanking God for the gift of being confirmed with the name of St. Paul. My work is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, and I can’t imagine a better patron saint to guide me.” – Michael Peter Paul Lahey

In your Confirmation preparation, one thing to do is pick a saint. A Confirmation saint isn’t just something the Church made up to keep you busy during your preparation for the Sacrament; it serves a purpose.

Throughout Scripture we see numerous examples of people who had their names changed. Abram to Abraham. Jacob to Israel. Simon to Peter. Why would God change their names? Weren’t the old ones good enough? Whenever we see someone’s name change in Scripture, we also see that they receive a new identity. They become a new person. God gives them a specific task for their life.

Whether you remember or not, you experienced receiving a new name. When you were baptized, the priest (or deacon) asked your parents, “What name do you give this child?” Your baptismal name became your Christian identity, and through the waters of Baptism you became a new member of God’s family.

You might ask, “If I received a name at Baptism, why do I need a saint’s name for Confirmation?” Great question. Saints are models of holiness for us. They had extraordinary faith in God. They trusted in God’s plan and followed his plan at all costs. They have lived a life worthy of heaven and are now with God forever. We adopt their name – a sign of living a life like they did – and ask them to pray for us during our own faith journey.

Okay, so the big question… HOW do you pick a saint? There’s no special formula, just a few words of advice:

Pray: You are asking a saint to be a part of your life forever. Take some time to think and pray about a few things. What kind of role model are you looking for? What qualities do they have that you want? What kind of person are you hoping to become? Choose a saint that you can identify with. Pick a few different saints and then spend time in prayer and ask all of them to pray for you. You might find one begins to stick out more than the others.

Read: After you’ve taken time to pray about it, do some reading. There are plenty of books and websites out there that will give you information on saints. The Church has a saint for almost anything you can think of. That being said… don’t just pick a saint because they can levitate or bi-locate or read people’s thoughts. Asking St. Padre Pio to pray for you to gain the ability to bi-locate is not the point. Choose someone you feel like you can identify with that has the qualities of holiness you truly desire.

Ask: Talk to your parents, youth minister, pastor, or siblings about their Confirmation saints. Why did they pick them? Do they have any special devotion to a saint? Who would they pick for you? Asking those who know you best can help you find a saint you can really rely on for your whole life. Explore: Not sure where to start looking for a Confirmation Saint? Check out these websites for ideas! http://www.catholic.org/saints/http://www.catholic-saints.info/ 11

Choose Your Confirmation Saint

Please answer the following questions about your Saint. When writing about the Saint you have chosen, (or I have heard it said that your Saint has already been praying for you and has chosen you), please write from a personal perspective.

• How is it that you feel drawn to this particular Saint? • What attributes or virtues does this Saint have that I would like to emulate in my life? • Where did this Saint live? • Are they a Patron Saint of anything this meaningful to me? • Elaborate and go deeper than what these questions suggest.

My patron Saint is: ______

The reason you have chosen this Saint? (please elaborate) ______

______

When and where did this Saint live: ______

How did this Saint die?: ______

What is this Saint’s Feast Day? ______

What is he or she the patron Saint of? ______

What attributes or virtues does this Saint have that you would like to emulate in your life?

______

What is one interesting event in this Saint’s life that has impacted you and WHY did it impact you?

______

As you continue your journey, be sure to ask your Patron Saint to pray for you!

SUBMIT: Go to the Confirmation website at https://stmartha.com/confirmation to submit your Saint name via Google Form by August 14, 2020.

Choosing a Confirmation Sponsor

Live It!

Choosing a Confirmation sponsor is important, and the Church spells out some basic requirements. A sponsor needs to:

• Be designated by the confirmand and his/her parents. Have the qualifications and intention of performing this role.

• Be at least 16 years old.

• Be a baptized Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist.

• Attend Sunday Mass weekly, living a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken. (If married, the marriage needs to be within the Catholic faith).

• Not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared.

• Not be the father or mother of the person to be confirmed.

When a baptismal godparent also serves as the Confirmation sponsor, it clearly shows the connection between Baptism and Confirmation and strengthens an existing relationship.

But these are just minimal requirements. The word sponsor comes from the same root as “responsible,” and a well-chosen sponsor can help you grow in your faith.

Don’t pick a sponsor because he’s a lot of fun or she hasn’t had a turn yet.

Pick a sponsor who is actively practicing his or her faith, who will assist you in preparation for Confirmation, present you to the bishop for anointing, and support you in the years ahead as you discover how the gifts of the Holy Spirit are unfolding in your life.

"O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams." -St. Augustine

13 Form: Page 1 of 2 - Your sponsor will be a Catholic role model and a faith companion as you prepare for Confirmation and beyond.

Pray for God to send you a good and holy sponsor who will help you grow in holiness.

List a few people you might choose as a Confirmation Sponsor.

______

What do I admire about each person I listed above?

______

Why would each of these people be a good sponsor?

______

With which people listed would I feel comfortable discussing my faith journey?

______

Spend some time talking to the person(s) you are considering. You may want to ask questions like these:

Do you remember your Confirmation and preparation for the sacrament? What was it like?

What ways do you find God in your life? Why those ways?

Who is Jesus for you?

Why are you Catholic?

After you have completed these questions, pray, reflect and discuss your considerations with your parents or guardians, then make your choice. God will bless you as you search for a sponsor.

My sponsor is: ______

SUBMIT: Go to the Confirmation website at https://stmartha.com/confirmation to submit your choice of Sponsor by August 14, 2020.

Form: Page 2 of 2 - Phase 3: Sacrament Preparation

As you progress on your journey, your attendance and engagement is key. It is there that you build knowledge, grow in understanding, and most importantly, form the relationships that allow the Holy Spirit to do his work in you, and, in those He wants to reach through you.

Engage in ALL Sessions and Life Nights:

• Thursday Confirmation Preparation Session – Please note that a parent and/or sponsor MUST attend with you for the Thursday Confirmation Preparation Sessions • Sunday Track B Life Nights

Notify Salisha Miller about absences beforehand, at [email protected] or (281) 358-1959 x251

Attendance For each Thursday evening Formation Prep Session, ONE absence per semester allowed. Enriching, meaningful make-up Policy work will be given & required to be turned in to Salisha Miller by the NEXT Thursday class For Sunday Life Nights, ONE absence per semester allowed.

Complete your Service Experience:

• Choose your date, either November 7, 2020 or February 27, 2021 and submit your choice via Google Form by September 27, 2020; form will be available at a later date. • Complete and submit Service Day Parental/Guardian Consent Form and Liability Waiver and Medical Consent * Form due by September 27, 2020

Attend the Confirmation Retreat January 9-10, 2021:

• Did you complete and submit your Retreat Parental/Guardian Consent Form and Liability Waiver and Medical Consent * Form by November 20, 2020 * Note: Parental/Guardian Consent Form and Liability Waiver and Medical Consent Forms will be provided to you at a later date.

Confirmation Mass note: the date for Confirmation is usually in May. The Archdiocese usually informs us of the Confirmation Mass dates in February. We will keep you informed regarding the date.

Complete by: may 7, 2021 15

Additional Required Forms

There are 2 additional paper documents that are necessary to complete your preparations for Confirmation. They must be submitted to the program manager, Salisha Miller by November 20, 2020:

1. Baptismal Certificate:

A legible copy of the original baptismal certificate is required for recording Confirmations in church records. Please note:

▪ If you were baptized at St. Martha’s, OR, your baptismal certificate was already submitted, you may skip this step. ▪ If not already submitted, please drop off, email or mail a copy of a baptismal certificate to Salisha Miller at the Faith Formation office. ▪ If you are uncertain if the certificate has been previously submitted or is on record, please contact the Faith Formation Office Manager, Jan Zanca for verification. Please see the Contact and Resource page of this Guide for more information.

2. Parental/Guardian Consent Form and Liability Waiver and Medical Consent Form (2 page form):

Plan to attend the Confirmation Retreat that is scheduled for January 9-10, 2021. The Consent and Liability Waiver and Medical Consent form will be required and will be provided to you at a later date, along with updates regarding the Retreat. It will be due by November 20, 2020. Please mark the calendar and stay tuned for more info!

For assistance regarding the Baptismal Certificate, please contact Jan Zanca, the Faith formation Office Manager. For assistance regarding the Parent/Guardian Consent form and Liability Waiver and Medical Consent form, please contact Salisha Miller. Contact information can be found in the Contacts & Resources section, located at the back of this guide.

Submit these paper documents to Salisha Miller by dropping them off, or mailing to the Faith Formation Office, located at 3702 Woodland Hills Dr, Kingwood, TX 77339

Complete by: November 20, 2020

Phase 4: Prepare Your Heart

To appreciate the rich symbolism of the heart, we must remember in Judaism that the word heart represents the core of the person. While recognized as the principle life organ, the heart was also considered the center of all spiritual activity. And this where the Lord, as a perfect gentleman knocks gently on the door of our hearts awaiting entry to love us, heal us, reorient us to goodness, beauty and truth, making all things new in and through His love for you. You are His beloved.

You have journeyed through these last several months in your small groups on Sunday evenings, with your sponsor and parents on Thursday evenings, going on retreat, and we hope that you are beginning to open the doors of your heart to Jesus.

The Sacrament of Confirmation has its biblical root in Acts Ch. 2, the story of Pentecost. Our hope now is that growing in relationship with Jesus is leading you closer to the promised gift from our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we declare Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are truly healed and transformed into new creations by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is power to begin to live life in technicolor, where it may have been black and white. Come Holy Spirit!!

You are part of the family of God, the body of Christ and the Catholic Church and you belong. Here are some suggestions to go deeper as you prepare for your Confirmation Mass and beyond. God has a specific plan and purpose for you. It will take time to go through the process of being formed as His disciple to serve in the Kingdom. Our best role model is always Our Blessed Mother. Everything about Our Blessed Mother always points to Jesus.

• Find a Ministry – Serve! Discover your gifts and be fearless in what sets your soul on fire! • Life in the Spirit Seminar • Attend Tuesday Evening Mass • Watch the Metanoia Series • Attend 1st Friday Adoration • Divine Mercy Chaplet – Daily 3:00pm • Daily Rosary • Go to Reconciliation – Tuesday or Saturday • Spend time in meditation.. in the quiet.. Sounds scary doesn’t it? Well, could be if you let it. But don’t let it! Don’t be afraid. It’s in the quiet where you can hear His voice, feel His hug, and let Him drown out all the those voices that make you scared or crazy or distracted or angry. So, go for it. Be brave. Turn off. You know… tic tock…TV.... music … the voices. Put it all down… let it go. Get quiet. Just… sit… and… breathe. That’s all…just …breathe. And rest in the quiet. Maybe let that restless voice juuussst paaasss on by….and not argue with it….you don’t need to win…you already have won.. you’re here..just breathing…at peace...remembering who you are...BELOVED…in the loving presence of our loving God… just being and breathing… You….beautiful! And He gently smiles at you.. and You smile back. Know you are captivating and He is gazing at you and waiting for you to rest and be filled in his gaze. Jesus looking at you and you looking at him. Eyebrow to eyebrow. Intimate, yes. Baby steps.

For the rest of your life

Contacts & Resources

For Assistance with: Contact: Attendance Salisha Miller, Associate Youth Minister and Class Sessions & Scheduling Confirmation Coordinator Confirmation program content [email protected] Financial Payment Options or Assistance 281.358.1959 x251 Make Up Work Registration Assistance Retreat Information Student Information

Account Information Jan Zanca, Office Manager Account Payment/Billing questions [email protected] Baptismal certificates 281.713.8967 Faith Direct

Payment options available During Registration via Faith Direct (Credit card only)

After Registration: Faith Formation Office (Credit card, Check or Cash) After-hour drop slot available at front door

Faith Formation Office 3702 Woodland Hills Dr. Kingwood, TX 77339 281-358-1959 M-F, 9 am – 4 p.m. After-hour drop slot available

Thank You for allowing us to be your guides during your Journey to Confirmation!! Your St. Martha Confirmation Team!