Q: Reflection & Discussion

REFLECTION Someone in the family to read aloud.As the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples today, we see how they were able to come out of hiding. Something inside them changed even though their fears were still there. The Holy Spirit brought them gifts that empowered them to go out to the world and spread the Gospel. Confirmation is a Sacrament that “confirms” what our parents chose for us at Baptism. I am now making a choice to make the gift of faith my own. REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS Faith Friend asks reflective questions.Why were the apostles so afraid?What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit? And how are they different from the gifts? PRAYER INTENTIONS Each family member shares one thing they’re thankful for or a prayer intention.

Q: Song & Closing Prayer

SING together: Psalm 104 Lord, Send out your Spirit CLOSING PRAYERLet us pray together.Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.Come Holy Spirit, may I make good use of your gifts so that I may bear much fruit in my life. Empower me to share my faith with others. Amen Faith Friends share current parish events and give parish bulletin to family. To conclude prayer time, make a sign of the cross with words below:May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Q: Reflection & Discussion

REFLECTION Someone in the family to read aloud.This is a beautiful image of our communion with God. All that we are and all that we have come from the extension of God’s goodness. And it’s by nourishing ourselves by God’s grace that we grow to be more like Him everyday. The vine sends its gifts and nourishment to the branches and in turn the branches uses them to bring forth fruit. And so, if we use the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit that we receive at Confirmation really well, we will begin to see the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit in our life. REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS Faith Friend asks reflective questions.How can I stay connected to Jesus?What happens when I don’t keep in touch with Jesus?What does the word “Confirmation” mean now that I am a full member of my church community? PRAYER INTENTIONS Each family member shares one thing they’re thankful for or a prayer intention.

Q: Song & Closing Prayer

SING together: Psalm 80 The Vineyard of the Lord CLOSING PRAYERLet us pray together.Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.Loving God our Father, you are the vine, and we are the branches. May I live my life close to you always so that I may draw from your wellspring of life and grace. Amen Faith Friends share current parish events and give parish bulletin to family. To conclude prayer time, make a sign of the cross with words below:May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Question 1

A word of Introduction

Accepted Answer

Upon visiting family who are preparing their child for first reconciliation please encourage parents to prepare place for prayer by placing a cross, bible and candle in the centre.

If possible read the propose passage from their Bible.

Question 2

Family Gathering

Accepted Answer

Begin by family gathering in a comfortable, quiet spot, with the Bible and a candle lit to signify the start of prayer with words, such as:

Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us together. Please open our hearts to listen to you and each other.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Question 3

LISTEN to Acts 2:1-4

Accepted Answer

Someone in the family to read the Bible story aloud (preferably from the family Bible).When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.After Jesus was crucified, the apostles were huddled in the Upper Room for fear of their lives. But when the Holy Spirit came upon them they were able to come out of hiding and continue with the mission that Jesus left them with.

Question 4

Reflection & Discussion

Accepted Answer

REFLECTIONSomeone in the family to read aloud.As the Holy Spirit came down upon the disciples today, we see how they were able to come out of hiding. Something inside them changed even though their fears were still there. The Holy Spirit brought them gifts that empowered them to go out to the world and spread the Gospel. Confirmation is a Sacrament that “confirms” what our parents chose for us at Baptism. I am now making a choice to make the gift of faith my own.REFLECTIVE QUESTIONSFaith Friend asks reflective questions.Why were the apostles so afraid?What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit? And how are they different from the gifts?PRAYER INTENTIONSEach family member shares one thing they’re thankful for or a prayer intention.

Question 5

Song & Closing Prayer

Accepted Answer

SING together: Psalm 104Lord, Send out your SpiritCLOSING PRAYERLet us pray together.Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.Come Holy Spirit, may I make good use of your gifts so that I may bear much fruit in my life. Empower me to share my faith with others. AmenFaith Friends share current parish events and give parish bulletin to family.To conclude prayer time, make a sign of the cross with words below:May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Question 6

Family Gathering

Accepted Answer

Begin by family gathering in a comfortable, quiet spot, with the Bible and a candle lit to signify the start of prayer with words, such as:Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us together. Please open our hearts to listen to you and each other.In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Question 7

LISTEN to John 15:1-8

Accepted Answer

Someone in the family to read the Bible story aloud (preferably from the family Bible).“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Question 8

Reflection & Discussion

Accepted Answer

REFLECTIONSomeone in the family to read aloud.This is a beautiful image of our communion with God. All that we are and all that we have come from the extension of God’s goodness. And it’s by nourishing ourselves by God’s grace that we grow to be more like Him everyday. The vine sends its gifts and nourishment to the branches and in turn the branches uses them to bring forth fruit. And so, if we use the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit that we receive at Confirmation really well, we will begin to see the 12 Fruits of the Holy Spirit in our life.REFLECTIVE QUESTIONSFaith Friend asks reflective questions.How can I stay connected to Jesus?What happens when I don’t keep in touch with Jesus?What does the word “Confirmation” mean now that I am a full member of my church community?PRAYER INTENTIONSEach family member shares one thing they’re thankful for or a prayer intention.

Question 9

Song & Closing Prayer

Accepted Answer

SING together: Psalm 80The Vineyard of the LordCLOSING PRAYERLet us pray together.Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.Loving God our Father, you are the vine, and we are the branches. May I live my life close to you always so that I may draw from your wellspring of life and grace. AmenFaith Friends share current parish events and give parish bulletin to family.To conclude prayer time, make a sign of the cross with words below:May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Question 10

Family Gathering

Accepted Answer

Begin by family gathering in a comfortable, quiet spot, with the Bible and a candle lit to signify the start of prayer with words, such as:Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us together. Please open our hearts to listen to you and each other.In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.INTRODUCTIONTo be read by a family member.The gifts of the Spirit can help us have the courage to lead lives that follow the message of Jesus to love others and God, live humbly, treat others with dignity, and work for justice and peace.

Question 11

LISTEN to 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Accepted Answer

Someone in the family to read the Bible story aloud (preferably from the family Bible).There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Question 12

Reflection & Discussion

Accepted Answer

Family REFLECTION on giftsEach family member talks briefly about a person who ‘inspires’ them, a person they admire. Discuss the gifts and attributes this inspirational person displays.Recall the gifts of the Spirit that will be received at Confirmation. (e.g., Gifts of wisdom, understanding, courage, right judgement, reverence, wonder and awe, and knowledge.)Each family member shares which gifts they feel they use, or would like to use, in serving and helping themselves and others.The Confirmation candidate shares the name they might choose for Confirmation. How does the saint that has been chosen inspire people to live their life and use their gifts in the service of others? REFLECTIVE QUESTIONSFaith Friend asks reflective questions.How can I and my family come closer to God? Can we pray or read the bible together?Do we have any holy pictures, icons or a cross in our house to remind us of our faith commitment?Can we support one another around the dining table by sharing our joys and sorrows? Are we able to listen each other?What do we know about our Parish?Are we able to support our parish community or people in need through charitable organisations?Are we able to create our family prayer to entrust each member of our family into God’s care and protection?Now, all members of the family together could prepare their own family prayer (glory, thanks, sorry, request).PRAYER INTENTIONSEach family member shares one thing they’re thankful for or a prayer intention.

Question 13

Closing Prayer

Accepted Answer

Let us pray together.Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.Holy Spirit,Help us to be Spirit-filled people, enabling us to see your Spirit alive and active in others. Help us as we share the gifts of the Spirit with all those we meet and in the service of others. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.AmenFaith Friends share current parish events and give parish bulletin to family.To conclude prayer time, make a sign of the cross with words below:May the Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Question 14

Footnote

Accepted Answer

© The scriptural quotations are taken from the Jerusalem Bible, published and copyright 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Co Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.

The English translation of the Psalm Responses and Gospel Verses, and the Lenten Gospel Acclamations, and the Titles, Summaries, and Conclusion of the Readings, from the Lectionary for Mass © 1997, 1981, 1968, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Music: Taize Community, Public Domain Gospel Readings: Thanks to the staﬀ and students in our Riverland Catholic schools for the recordings of the gospel readings.

CONFIRMATION

Sample A

PENTECOST

Sample B

VINE and BRANCHES

Sample C

different GIFTS