Conversation to be completed and submitted no later than December 18, 2020
Candidates, write a simple summary to submit to Jennifer Heitkamper using the conversation starter below.
Prayer:
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[a] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1. What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?(must have memorized)
Piety(reverence), Understanding, Counsel (right judgment), Knowledge, Wisdom, Fortitude(courage), Fear of the Lord(wonder and awe)
2. Pick which gift of the spirit you feel is your strength? Explain. Which one do you feel you need to grow in? Why?
Piety- reverence and respect for God and a zeal for prayer
Understanding – a deeper insight into the truths of our Faith
Counsel – to give and receive Godly advice
Knowledge – to see that we are nothing without God and see his providence or loving plan in everything
Wisdom- know and do what is right à make Godly choices
Fortitude- strength to do what is right even if it means being persecuted
Fear of the Lord – know that God is our creator and our judge
3. Explain why the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are important?
They are “super powers” of the soul that will help get us to heaven by leading us to do good and avoid evil. One way of explaining it is consider our soul as ships, the gifts would be like sails used to catch the wind, which is the spirit. The wind or the spirit is what will guide us to our destination, heaven. Theologically speaking, the gifts of knowledge understanding counsel and wisdom help our intellect “know” the TRUTH, and the gifts of piety, fortitude and fear of the Lord help our will “choose” the TRUTH.
4. Why do you want to be confirmed?
Confirmation means to strengthen, to be strengthened by the power of Holy Spirit. This sacrament will more closely unite us with Christ and complete the initiation process started at baptism. It is not an end, it is a stepping stone through which the Holy Spirit will give us the grace to live, love, profess, spread and defend the Faith as a person accepting more responsibility. It will enable us to be a soldier for Christ and be the person God wants us to truly be. Who doesn’t need more courage, respect, wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, reverence and wonder and awe for our God?
5. How will receiving the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation help your relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church?
Confirmation draws us closer to Christ and his Church by completing what was started at Baptism, making us full fledge members of Christ’s Church(along with the sacrament of the Eucharist). We grow in sanctifying grace which is the divine life of the Trinity. We receive a character or seal that marks us for Christ and his kingdom. We receive actual grace to help us personally recommit ourselves to live out our baptismal promise, to reject sin and live for Christ.
6. Describe the first confirmation?
Pentecost, it was 50 days after the resurrection and 10 days after Jesus’ ascension. The Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles in the upper room as wind and fire giving them the power and courage to go out into the streets and preach the Gospel. 5000 were converted that day.
7. How do you intend to be an active member in the Church after Confirmation?
1) Mass every weekend 2) Pray often 3) Be Chaste. Continue that, but don’t forget to go to confession at least once a year(once a month is better), stay involved at church… serving, reading, youth group, service projects, respect life events…
8. How would you respond to these questions, “Why are you Catholic rather than just being a Christian? Why would anyone want to be Catholic?”
If I am going to be Christian, then be a part of the only Church started by Jesus, the Catholic Church. It has the complete “package” given to us by Christ: the seven sacraments, beatitudes, love, mercy, Mary, the pope, the saints, the complete canon of scripture. It is one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church guided by the Holy Spirit with a guarantee of authority, indefectibility(last till end of time), and infallibility(will not make mistakes in faith and morals)… that works for me. And I haven’t even mention the real presence of JESUS in the Eucharist. You want a close personal relationship with Jesus, it does not get any better than the Eucharist!
9. What are the Ten Commandments?
10 Commandments
1) You shall have no other gods
2) Do not use the Lord’s name in vain
3) Keep holy the Sabbath
4) Honor your Mother and Father
5) Thou shall not kill
6) Thou shall not commit Adultery
7) Thou shall not steal
8) Thou shall not lie
9) Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s wife
10) thou shall not covet your neighbors goods
10. Can you name the seven sacraments? Why are they important?
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick.
We cannot expect to make it to heaven without God’s grace, and the sacraments are outwards signs started by Christ to give us grace… sounds pretty important to me. The sacraments increase the life and love of the Trinity in us, called sanctifying grace. The sacraments also give us specific graces for our duties. For example, the graces of matrimony help us be a good husband/wife and parent. The grace of confession helps us avoid sin in the future, holy orders helps a priest or deacon be a good and holy servant.
11. What are the 8 Beatitudes? Why are they important?
Poor in Spirit, Meek, Mourn, Righteous, Merciful, Pure in heart, Peacemakers, and persecuted. They are important because they are the key to happiness, dying to worldly things and living for Christ! Christ offered this teaching to us during his famous Sermon on the mount. He was giving the attitudes we need to have if we want to live in his kingdom. In some ways he was taking the old law, the 10 commandments, and elevating it to a higher standard. Jesus says Blessed or truly happy are those who live them. It is one thing to know them, it is another to understand and yet another to live them. Keep studying and trying to understand why and how this is the path to Heaven.
12. What do Catholics believe about the Eucharist?
Jesus is fully present body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. Jesus said at the last supper, “This is my body… this is my blood…”. It is more than just symbolic, it IS Jesus. In John chapter 6, Jesus says I am the bread of Life… you must eat the flesh of the son of man if you want to have life within you…”. To deny that this miracle could happen is to deny that God is all powerful. Think about it, if he can create the world and the universe we live in then surely he can change bread into himself. This miracle is called Transubstantiation: change in substance (what it is) but not appearance (what it looks like, tastes like, feels like…).
13. What does the Church teach about mass attendance?
The third commandment is you should honor the Sabbath. The Sabbath for Christians is Sunday because of the Resurrection of Christ. We are called as Catholics to honor the Sabbath by attending Mass(and holy days of obligation) every Saturday evening or Sunday. Its not about having to go, it’s about needing to go. Lights can’t shine unless they are plugged into a power source. We can not “shine” for Christ unless we tap into the power source weekly… the Eucharist. The Church teaches that it is a serious sin to miss mass without a valid reason.
14. Do you see an importance in receiving the sacrament of reconciliation regularly? Explain.
Confession is like a spiritual bath. Can you imagine going a week without a bath let alone a year… yikes. The church requires we go at least once a year during lent/Easter time. We get spiritually “filthy” when we turn from God and his commands. Sometimes in serious instances, we can cut ourselves off completely from God’s love with mortal sin. Confession is the shower for our soul to heal, refresh and make us new again so we can be the people God wants us to be. In our struggles, we need to cry out to God and he will rescue us. At least once a year confession, once a month is better. Shower for the soul!!
15. What was your favorite part so far about your confirmation process so far this year?
16. Who is our current pope and why must we be faithful to his teachings?
Pope Francis. We must be faithful as Catholics to follow the Pope and the teachings of the Church. Jesus left us the Church to be a guiding light for us to get back to him by teaching and making us holy through the sacraments. Just like a mother makes lots of rules to keep her kids safe, Holy Mother Church has the authority from Christ to have authority when it comes to matters of Faith and Morals. Jesus told Peter, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the Keys to the kingdom. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
17. If someone said, “Why do Catholics believe in stuff that is not in the bible like purgatory or Mary’s assumption. How can you believe it if it’s not in the bible?”
Church teaching is not based on scripture alone… in fact scripture said there are so many things Jesus said and did, all the books in the world could not contain them. Therefore, the Church sees God’s revelation in three forms: written (bible), oral (Tradition), and teaching of the Magisterium. Likewise, nowhere is the word Trinity mentioned specifically in the bible, but it is a term accepted by all Christian faiths.
18. How could you respond to someone who says, “I don’t feel I would ever want to have an abortion, but women should have a right to have an abortion.”
Every woman does have a right to her own body, but so does the innocent life in her womb. Life starts at conception and directly terminating a pregnancy, aka abortion, is murder. A direct abortion is wrong no matter what the reason. We need to defend the life of the unborn and also offer to support and pray for young women who considering to end the life of their baby. This is not just a Catholic issue, it is a issue of every human being. We can’t be wishy washy with this issue… abortion is murder and we must pray to end it.
19. What is chastity and why is it important?
Chastity is purity in your thoughts, words and actions dealing with your sexuality. Chastity starts with dressing modestly, not using sexually degrading language or texting, avoiding inappropriate images, such as pornography, as well as impure music, movies and jokes. It also challenges us to understand God’s plan for the great gift of the marital bond. This union is a twofold good: the unitive good(between a man and a woman) and the procreative good(making babies). To separate these goods would go against God’s plan of life and love. Any sexual activity done alone or with another outside the marriage bond is a serious deadly sin. Married couples must also be chaste, being faithful to their husband or wife.
20. What are some social injustices in the world that as Confirmed Catholics we need to be aware of and be fighting for?
Poor, unemployed, education for all, dignity of human life, abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human trafficking, violence, murder, racism….
21. What is your favorite Gospel story and why is it important for you to read the bible often?
Answers will vary. Mine is Jesus calming the storm at sea because I love boats/water and whose life isn’t at times in a “storm” and in need of help. I try to read the bible often… Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ. St. Jerome
22. Why is prayer important and what are some prayers you say?
Stress the fact that prayer is vital to being Christian. Prayer can be Adoration (telling God you love him), Contrition (telling God you are sorry), Supplication (asking for things), and or thanksgiving (thanking God). The highest form of prayer = Mass, but don’t neglect such activities as Adoration, personal prayer, the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, grace before meals… Suggestion: Try 5 minutes of silent prayer during the day to listen to the voice of God in your life.
23. What are some talents you have that you can use to serve Christ and help others?
Christian Service:
God Bless you in your Faith Sharing!
Candidate Name:
Sponsor Name:
E-mail:
Submit to Jennifer Heitkamper electronically via e-mail [email protected]
You may also submit handwritten entry to Parish Office.
No later than December 18, 2020
Candidates, write a simple summary to submit to Jennifer Heitkamper using the conversation starter below.
Prayer:
- The prayer given to us by Jesus is the “Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer”. It is a prayer of love and unity, of sorrow for sin, and of gratitude for God’s mercy. It has been the prayer of Christians throughout the centuries. Begin your Conversation using the Lord’s Prayer and pause after each phrase and really think of the meaning. Consider writing your reflections. Jesus told us to “pray always”.
- Jesus taught us what we must do to be his followers. His teachings are found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, chapters 5-7) The Beatitudes are found in Matthew 5:3-12, discuss with your sponsor what they mean to you.
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely[a] on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
- Begin preparing for your Confirmation Interview… Use these questions and answers to help you prepare.
1. What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?(must have memorized)
Piety(reverence), Understanding, Counsel (right judgment), Knowledge, Wisdom, Fortitude(courage), Fear of the Lord(wonder and awe)
2. Pick which gift of the spirit you feel is your strength? Explain. Which one do you feel you need to grow in? Why?
Piety- reverence and respect for God and a zeal for prayer
Understanding – a deeper insight into the truths of our Faith
Counsel – to give and receive Godly advice
Knowledge – to see that we are nothing without God and see his providence or loving plan in everything
Wisdom- know and do what is right à make Godly choices
Fortitude- strength to do what is right even if it means being persecuted
Fear of the Lord – know that God is our creator and our judge
3. Explain why the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are important?
They are “super powers” of the soul that will help get us to heaven by leading us to do good and avoid evil. One way of explaining it is consider our soul as ships, the gifts would be like sails used to catch the wind, which is the spirit. The wind or the spirit is what will guide us to our destination, heaven. Theologically speaking, the gifts of knowledge understanding counsel and wisdom help our intellect “know” the TRUTH, and the gifts of piety, fortitude and fear of the Lord help our will “choose” the TRUTH.
4. Why do you want to be confirmed?
Confirmation means to strengthen, to be strengthened by the power of Holy Spirit. This sacrament will more closely unite us with Christ and complete the initiation process started at baptism. It is not an end, it is a stepping stone through which the Holy Spirit will give us the grace to live, love, profess, spread and defend the Faith as a person accepting more responsibility. It will enable us to be a soldier for Christ and be the person God wants us to truly be. Who doesn’t need more courage, respect, wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, reverence and wonder and awe for our God?
5. How will receiving the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation help your relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church?
Confirmation draws us closer to Christ and his Church by completing what was started at Baptism, making us full fledge members of Christ’s Church(along with the sacrament of the Eucharist). We grow in sanctifying grace which is the divine life of the Trinity. We receive a character or seal that marks us for Christ and his kingdom. We receive actual grace to help us personally recommit ourselves to live out our baptismal promise, to reject sin and live for Christ.
6. Describe the first confirmation?
Pentecost, it was 50 days after the resurrection and 10 days after Jesus’ ascension. The Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles in the upper room as wind and fire giving them the power and courage to go out into the streets and preach the Gospel. 5000 were converted that day.
7. How do you intend to be an active member in the Church after Confirmation?
1) Mass every weekend 2) Pray often 3) Be Chaste. Continue that, but don’t forget to go to confession at least once a year(once a month is better), stay involved at church… serving, reading, youth group, service projects, respect life events…
8. How would you respond to these questions, “Why are you Catholic rather than just being a Christian? Why would anyone want to be Catholic?”
If I am going to be Christian, then be a part of the only Church started by Jesus, the Catholic Church. It has the complete “package” given to us by Christ: the seven sacraments, beatitudes, love, mercy, Mary, the pope, the saints, the complete canon of scripture. It is one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church guided by the Holy Spirit with a guarantee of authority, indefectibility(last till end of time), and infallibility(will not make mistakes in faith and morals)… that works for me. And I haven’t even mention the real presence of JESUS in the Eucharist. You want a close personal relationship with Jesus, it does not get any better than the Eucharist!
9. What are the Ten Commandments?
10 Commandments
1) You shall have no other gods
2) Do not use the Lord’s name in vain
3) Keep holy the Sabbath
4) Honor your Mother and Father
5) Thou shall not kill
6) Thou shall not commit Adultery
7) Thou shall not steal
8) Thou shall not lie
9) Thou shall not covet your neighbor’s wife
10) thou shall not covet your neighbors goods
10. Can you name the seven sacraments? Why are they important?
Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick.
We cannot expect to make it to heaven without God’s grace, and the sacraments are outwards signs started by Christ to give us grace… sounds pretty important to me. The sacraments increase the life and love of the Trinity in us, called sanctifying grace. The sacraments also give us specific graces for our duties. For example, the graces of matrimony help us be a good husband/wife and parent. The grace of confession helps us avoid sin in the future, holy orders helps a priest or deacon be a good and holy servant.
11. What are the 8 Beatitudes? Why are they important?
Poor in Spirit, Meek, Mourn, Righteous, Merciful, Pure in heart, Peacemakers, and persecuted. They are important because they are the key to happiness, dying to worldly things and living for Christ! Christ offered this teaching to us during his famous Sermon on the mount. He was giving the attitudes we need to have if we want to live in his kingdom. In some ways he was taking the old law, the 10 commandments, and elevating it to a higher standard. Jesus says Blessed or truly happy are those who live them. It is one thing to know them, it is another to understand and yet another to live them. Keep studying and trying to understand why and how this is the path to Heaven.
12. What do Catholics believe about the Eucharist?
Jesus is fully present body and blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist. Jesus said at the last supper, “This is my body… this is my blood…”. It is more than just symbolic, it IS Jesus. In John chapter 6, Jesus says I am the bread of Life… you must eat the flesh of the son of man if you want to have life within you…”. To deny that this miracle could happen is to deny that God is all powerful. Think about it, if he can create the world and the universe we live in then surely he can change bread into himself. This miracle is called Transubstantiation: change in substance (what it is) but not appearance (what it looks like, tastes like, feels like…).
13. What does the Church teach about mass attendance?
The third commandment is you should honor the Sabbath. The Sabbath for Christians is Sunday because of the Resurrection of Christ. We are called as Catholics to honor the Sabbath by attending Mass(and holy days of obligation) every Saturday evening or Sunday. Its not about having to go, it’s about needing to go. Lights can’t shine unless they are plugged into a power source. We can not “shine” for Christ unless we tap into the power source weekly… the Eucharist. The Church teaches that it is a serious sin to miss mass without a valid reason.
14. Do you see an importance in receiving the sacrament of reconciliation regularly? Explain.
Confession is like a spiritual bath. Can you imagine going a week without a bath let alone a year… yikes. The church requires we go at least once a year during lent/Easter time. We get spiritually “filthy” when we turn from God and his commands. Sometimes in serious instances, we can cut ourselves off completely from God’s love with mortal sin. Confession is the shower for our soul to heal, refresh and make us new again so we can be the people God wants us to be. In our struggles, we need to cry out to God and he will rescue us. At least once a year confession, once a month is better. Shower for the soul!!
15. What was your favorite part so far about your confirmation process so far this year?
16. Who is our current pope and why must we be faithful to his teachings?
Pope Francis. We must be faithful as Catholics to follow the Pope and the teachings of the Church. Jesus left us the Church to be a guiding light for us to get back to him by teaching and making us holy through the sacraments. Just like a mother makes lots of rules to keep her kids safe, Holy Mother Church has the authority from Christ to have authority when it comes to matters of Faith and Morals. Jesus told Peter, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the Keys to the kingdom. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
17. If someone said, “Why do Catholics believe in stuff that is not in the bible like purgatory or Mary’s assumption. How can you believe it if it’s not in the bible?”
Church teaching is not based on scripture alone… in fact scripture said there are so many things Jesus said and did, all the books in the world could not contain them. Therefore, the Church sees God’s revelation in three forms: written (bible), oral (Tradition), and teaching of the Magisterium. Likewise, nowhere is the word Trinity mentioned specifically in the bible, but it is a term accepted by all Christian faiths.
18. How could you respond to someone who says, “I don’t feel I would ever want to have an abortion, but women should have a right to have an abortion.”
Every woman does have a right to her own body, but so does the innocent life in her womb. Life starts at conception and directly terminating a pregnancy, aka abortion, is murder. A direct abortion is wrong no matter what the reason. We need to defend the life of the unborn and also offer to support and pray for young women who considering to end the life of their baby. This is not just a Catholic issue, it is a issue of every human being. We can’t be wishy washy with this issue… abortion is murder and we must pray to end it.
19. What is chastity and why is it important?
Chastity is purity in your thoughts, words and actions dealing with your sexuality. Chastity starts with dressing modestly, not using sexually degrading language or texting, avoiding inappropriate images, such as pornography, as well as impure music, movies and jokes. It also challenges us to understand God’s plan for the great gift of the marital bond. This union is a twofold good: the unitive good(between a man and a woman) and the procreative good(making babies). To separate these goods would go against God’s plan of life and love. Any sexual activity done alone or with another outside the marriage bond is a serious deadly sin. Married couples must also be chaste, being faithful to their husband or wife.
20. What are some social injustices in the world that as Confirmed Catholics we need to be aware of and be fighting for?
Poor, unemployed, education for all, dignity of human life, abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human trafficking, violence, murder, racism….
21. What is your favorite Gospel story and why is it important for you to read the bible often?
Answers will vary. Mine is Jesus calming the storm at sea because I love boats/water and whose life isn’t at times in a “storm” and in need of help. I try to read the bible often… Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ. St. Jerome
22. Why is prayer important and what are some prayers you say?
Stress the fact that prayer is vital to being Christian. Prayer can be Adoration (telling God you love him), Contrition (telling God you are sorry), Supplication (asking for things), and or thanksgiving (thanking God). The highest form of prayer = Mass, but don’t neglect such activities as Adoration, personal prayer, the rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, grace before meals… Suggestion: Try 5 minutes of silent prayer during the day to listen to the voice of God in your life.
23. What are some talents you have that you can use to serve Christ and help others?
Christian Service:
- How do the Beatitudes relate to the attitudes needed for Christian service? Have you been serving others in a cheerful way?
- How have you reached out to the discouraged, the lonely, or the elderly?
God Bless you in your Faith Sharing!
Candidate Name:
Sponsor Name:
E-mail:
Submit to Jennifer Heitkamper electronically via e-mail [email protected]
You may also submit handwritten entry to Parish Office.
No later than December 18, 2020