Our kickoff session was a beautiful gathering with more than a hundred people in attendance with the shared mission of supporting the forty-two Confirmation candidates we have here at Christ the King this year.

We learned about our first ‘golden ticket’ items (my method to highlight important concepts our children will be focusing on) and provided you and your child with ways to discuss together how they can be incorporated into their life.

1. What does being a DISCIPLE mean? Praying, Obeying the laws of God, Witnessing your faith to others, and Serving others

• Please talk with your child about someone in your life who has/had been an example of a disciple and how that has affected your faith.

2. What is a SACRAMENT? An outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.

• Please take some time to pull out a picture and/or talk about your child’s Baptism or First Eucharist and talk about what that day meant for you and what your hopes are for your child as they prepare for Confirmation.

3. What is a MISSIONARY DISCIPLE? One who grows in relationship with God, can share that relationship with others, and helps others find God for themselves.

• Please talk with your child about how they can develop their own missionary discipleship as they prepare for Confirmation and a fuller life with Jesus.

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We will also be incorporating the Spiritual Works of Mercy into our family life outside of our time here for Purpose sessions. See below for this month’s featured activity.

Spiritual Works of Mercy: Pray for the living and the dead

Prayer is a powerful way to support each other. This month we join together in prayer for the living and the dead and entrust our concern and love for those around us to God. It is in this way that we remember our part in the Communion of Saints and strive daily to honor God and continue to be saints in the making.

Ideas for this month’s spiritual work of mercy:

• Dedicate a Mass for someone going through a tough time or someone who has passed away

• Make your own prayer intention book

• Be sure to ask your friends and family members if there’s something they want you to pray for

Our October Purpose session was a dynamic encounter with our candidates and volunteers doing group activities and getting to know each other better as we learned about this week’s golden tickets:

THE THREE PERSONS OF THE TRINITY

• Father
• Son
• Holy Spirit

THE CHURCH AS A SACRAMENT OF SALVATION

• Sign of our communion with God
• Instrument of our communion with God
• Means by which God gives us grace

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

• Christ unites all members of the Church on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven to Himself and all to one another

Our Bible Adventure included finding verses in the Bible referring to the persons of the Trinity which led nicely into the beginning of our discussion about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. We began with Wisdom and Understanding and talked with our groups about how we encounter them in our lives. How beautiful it is to see the concepts we are learning brought to life through their reflections and experiences!

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Spiritual Works of Mercy: Counseling the Doubtful

Everyone has a time of doubt in their faith journey. Despite that, we should remember that Christ is always with us and turn to Him along the way.

• “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may eventually become wise” (Prov 19:20)
• When someone asks you for advice, respond with a statement oriented toward Christ.
• Let your life be a witness to how to follow Christ, so that others may see the revelation of God’s love in your actions
• Accompany a friend who is struggling with their faith to join a parish group for faith formation or service or bring them or accompany them at Sunday Mass

Our November Purpose session was a fun morning of learning, listening, and fellowship! Our candidates and volunteers did a review game and then jumped into group activities as they continued to develop friendships and learned about this week’s golden tickets.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF A SACRAMENT

• Matter
• Form
• Minister

EFFECTS OF HOLY EUCHARIST

• Strengthens our union with Christ
• Increases our ability to love
• Forgives our venial sins
• Unites us to fellow Catholics

EFFECTS OF BAPTISM

• Cleanses us of all sin
• Makes us part of the Church
• Infuses us with theological and moral virtues
• Gives us sanctifying grace

Our Bible Adventure included finding verses in the Bible referring to Baptism and Eucharist. This was followed with a moving presentation of the parts of the Mass, including the Introductory Rite and the Liturgy of the Word. We then moved into a discussion on the next Gift of the Holy Spirit – Counsel – and talked within our groups about how we encounter it in our lives. The Holy Spirit continues to move our candidates and help us all grow in faith and friendship as we continue our journey together.

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Spiritual Works of Mercy: Comforting the sorrowful

During the month of November, we remember those who have gone before us. Be open to listening and comforting those who are dealing with grief over the loss of a loved one. Even if we don’t always know what to say, being present to someone who is grieving can make a big difference.

• Try to listen more intentionally to those going through a tough time.
• Offer to make a meal for a friend who is facing a difficult time.
• Send a card to someone who is going through a tough time.
• A few moments taken out of your day may make a lifetime of difference to someone who needs love and encouragement.

Our December Purpose session was a really nice opportunity to touch base on our preparation for Confirmation. As we have looked deeper into the sacraments of initiation, what we have learned so far was tied together in the context of this upcoming sacrament. It was a wonderful day together as the candidates continued to learn about the specifics of Confirmation and continue to develop connections within our new family of faith.

WHAT UNIFIES ALL THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION?
● They give LIFE

ELEMENTS OF CONFIRMATION
● Matter: Chrism, laying on of hands
● Form: “Be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit”
● Minister: Bishop

EFFECTS OF BAPTISM
● Perfects baptismal grace
● Seals us with the mark of the Holy Spirit
● Gives us special graces to defend and witness to our faith
● Infuses the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit
● Perfects our bond with the Church

Our Bible Adventure included finding verses in the Bible referring to Confirmation from Acts of the Apostles, and letters to the Romans and Ephesians. This was followed with a moving presentation of the parts of the Mass, specifically the LIturgy of the Eucharist. We then moved into a discussion on the next Gift of the Holy Spirit – Piety – and talked within our groups about how we encounter it in our lives. The Holy Spirit continues to help us grow in faith and friendship as we continue our journey together.

Our January Purpose session began our discussion on Life in the Holy Spirit, specifically about prayer and holiness. As we look at what living life in the Holy Spirit looks like, we think about how God calls us to be holy and what our interior disposition needs to be to receive this amazing gift. We also discussed what sacred objects do to help us feel connected to our prayer life. It was a beautiful day together as we learned how to reach out to God through different types of prayer.

WHAT DOES OUR INTERIOR LIFE CONSIST OF?
● A life of prayer
● Recognizing the presence of God at all times

WHAT IS HOLINESS?
● Conforming yourself to Christ in everything you do

WHY IS PRAYER IMPORTANT?
● Foundation of a disciple’s life
● Opens you up to the grace of the Holy Spirit
● Makes us better able to use the gifts received at Confirmation ● Helps develop a good interior disposition

FORMS OF PRAYER
● Prayers of blessing
● Prayers of petition
● Prayers of intercession
● Prayers of thanksgiving
● Prayers of praise

Our Bible Adventure included finding verses in the Bible referring to holiness from Peter and Thessalonians. We then reviewed upcoming corporal works of mercy opportunities and discussed the upcoming retreat. The Holy Spirit continues to show us the beauty of our faith and friendship as we journey together to this important sacrament.

Our February Purpose session continued our discussion on Life in the Holy Spirit, specifically about witness and serving others. As we look at what living life in the Holy Spirit looks like, we talked about how we witness it and serve others in our own lives. Fr. Chris joined us to talk about the seven prayers in the Lord’s prayer to help us understand and feel more connected to this beautiful prayer Christ taught His apostles. We enjoyed our time together and learned to look deeper into parts of our faith journey that we may take for granted.

WHAT IS EVANGELIZATION?
● The work of spreading the Good News of salvation that Christ won for us

WHAT ARE WAYS TO EVANGELIZE?
● Know your faith
● Live your faith
● Share your faith
● Defend your faith

Our Bible Adventure included finding verses in the Bible referring to witness and serving others from Peter, Isaiah, and Matthew. We then reviewed instructions for our upcoming retreat. The Holy Spirit continues to guide us on our faith journey and helps us to become better disciples.

Coming Soon

Coming Soon