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July 2010
Confirmation Parent Update issued in July 2010 in Adobe Reader (pdf - 150 KB)
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY... it is hard to believe that we are at the half way point of summer already!!!!
The new school year will be upon us before we know it.
I realize that many parents were not able to attend the Confirmation Info Meeting held on May 2nd, so I hope to post as much of the information on this site as I possibly can.
First and foremost, if you are looking for information about the Confirmation preparation program you are in the right place. All the communications regarding this program are posted monthly on this site and also in the Arrow, the parish’s weekly bulletin. This parish website also contains an information page for candidates and sponsors, so everyone regardless of where they live, can obtain upcoming news regarding the Confirmation process.
Parents are asked to forward their current email address to: zrideaux@stgilesparish.org. Each month parents are notified when new updates are posted along with a quick link to the site.
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The Confirmation program is designed to give guidance to all those involved in the formation of the candidates and in the celebration of the sacrament so that Confirmation becomes a meaningful faith experience for the candidate, parents, sponsor and the parish community.
At the same time, this program aims to equip the candidates with the knowledge and attitudes necessary for the lifelong process of conversion to Christ.
Now is the optimal time for you, your child’s primary catechist, to initiate your role in preparing your teenager for the reception of Confirmation. FAITH IS CAUGHT NOT TAUGHT. As your child struggles to clarify their own convictions, attitudes, and values, you as their parent are their chief role models!!!
The parish of St Giles, and especially the parish’s Religious Education office, is here to support you as you begin to prepare your teen for reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. As way to begin this process consider the following questions and reflect on your answers:
- Do I keep the lines of communication open with my teenager?
- Do I make time for prayer, both private and at weekly mass?
- Do I actively participate in the sacramental life of the Church? (reconciliation/Eucharist)
- Do I try to grow in knowledge of the faith and share it with my family?
- Do I give loving service to those inside and outside of my family circle?
- Am I involved with parish activities as much as I could be?
- Do I offer my talents and time to the parish? If so, how?
During the remainder of the summer encourage and support your teens efforts to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation by:
- Helping them discover ways to serve others (see the service opportunities page on the Confirmation webpage for suggestions).
- Attend mass as a family weekly.
- Pray as a family at home (before meals is the most common or before leaving your home).
- Read the scriptures together and discuss your thoughts and feelings about what you heard.
- Witness your own faith to your child through your words and actions.
Above all, please remember that faith lived and celebrated in the family makes a lasting impression on your child. The entire catechetical staff here at St Giles parish is looking forward to sharing this time of spiritual growth in the life of your child.
If at any time you have questions or concerns regarding the Confirmation preparation program, and you are unable to locate the information on this webpage, please contact our Sacrament Coordinator / CRE at 708-383-4185.
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St. Giles Parish
Confirmation Candidate
Information Packet 2010-2011
PLEASE REVIEW THIS PACKET WITH YOUR CHILD
SO THAT YOU MAY FULLY SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS AS THEY PREPARE FOR
THEIR RECEPTION OF THE SACRAMENT.
Candidates have also received a few summer assignments to take care of…
Begin their Service Component
While the Sacrament preparation program does not require a set number of hours of service, it is expected that candidates offer a minimum of 2-3 hours of service each month between May of their 7th grade year and April of their eighth grade year.
Begin to read about the Lives of the Saints
Each candidate should begin to research the lives of various saints from our Catholic tradition as they consider their own Confirmation name. These holy mentors will be with the candidates throughout their faith lives offering their life experience of how to live the faith every day.
Begin Sponsor Discernment
Sponsors play a vital part in the preparation process for reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. The candidate packet outlines the role of the sponsor as well as criterion to use in the discernment process.
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PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE ST GILES PARISH COMMUNITY IS HERE TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE BOTH YOU AND YOUR CHILD AS YOU PREPARE FOR THEM TO CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION.
THE PARISH COMMUNITY WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU AND OFFERING THEIR EFFORTS OF LIVING THE FAITH AS EXAMPLES FOR YOUR CHILD.
Please contact MARYELLEN CASSELMAN at mesullivan@stgilesparish.org or 708-383-4185
with any questions or concerns that may arise during this preparation process.
June 2010
Confirmation Parent Update issued in June 2010 in Adobe Reader (pdf - 1,253 KB)
| SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE FOR SAINT SIMEON PARISH |
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We are collecting school supplies to help St. Simeon, Fr. Kombo’s parish, during the first three weeks in August.
Please donate any school supplies and drop them off in the collection boxes in the back of church or in the Gleeson building outside the Religious Education office.
Thank you for your support,
Patrick McGee, Dylan Kolovitz, and Graham Failor - Confirmation Class of 2011
| FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION - 2010-2011 Siena Center Season |
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“For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received…” wrote St. Paul. But tradition is not merely a recollection of the past, it is a way of living toward the future. So, how does a faith tradition survive over time? How might it grow, develop, and retain continuity - across history and within a single person’s lifetime?
Drawing on the expertise of parents and theologians, educators and sociologists, religious leaders and cultural critics, the 2010-2011 Siena Center season examines the meaning of faith moving from generation to generation.
All adults of Saint Giles Parish are encouraged to participate in the Siena Center programs during the coming year. The Siena Center is housed at the Dominican Priory located at Harlem and Division Streets in River Forest. It is truly a hidden gem in our community.
See their website for more information at http://www.dom.edu/siena/events.html.
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