THIS IS MY DESIRE - To Be One With You (Lesson 7)

I - Confirmation is the Sacrament that gives you spiritual strength. 

1. It makes of you a more open vessel in receiving the Life of God, and gives ACTUAL GRACES to live your vocation to the fullest.

2. Like BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION leaves an INDELIBLE mark on your soul, and spiritually regenerates you or cleans you spiritually. CONFIRMATION leaves also a mark on your soul.

A. INDELIBLE means a “mark that can never be erased.

3. When you receive Confirmation, your life and experience grows closer to God in Spiritual Friendship. Like any other relationship, you have to work at through prayer, sacrifice, knowing and learning who God is in your life, will draw to holiness.

4. We receive SANCTIFYING GRACE, which God gives us His supernatural strength to face spiritual and physical dangers, making us aware or alert of those things that can, and will threaten our spiritual journey to be one with God.

A. We receive other strengths called VIRTUES, which are infused into our soul, as well as gifts from the Holy Spirit that makes us strong enough to face obstacles that threaten our relationship with God. Our relationship with God is salvific.

5. We are given ACTUAL GRACE, which illuminates or inspires us to reach God and to live a spiritual life. In other words, with ACTUAL GRACE, God gives you the spiritual strengths needed to live your faith without fear of any obstacles in your way. This strength is assured by God and while in need of Him, God will respond to our needs.

A. As interior aids for your spiritual journey, God will continue to give you what you need.

B. There are exterior graces that God provides as well - like person (family, sponsors, friends, etc), places, even things - to protect you along your journey. For God, your vocation to Him is important.

II - The Way to Divine Life

1. To be one with God, and to grow in His Divine Life of Grace, we need the Sacraments, Prayer, hearing and reading of the Word of God, and a commitment to serving others, as Christ would do.

A. We are called by God to Love our Enemies - Matt 5:38-48

B. We are called by God to share our gifts and to pray - Matt 6:1-8

C. In prayer, Jesus teaches us to call God “Our Father...” – Matt 6:9-15

D. Our Lord cautions us about our choices may lead us to Death or Life, and to be aware of false prophets - Matt 7:13-23

E. How we should build our foundation - Matt 7:24-29

F. To persevere in prayer - Don’t Stop! Even if it we do not know the outcome - Luke 11:5-13

G. To know and serve Christ in those in need - Matt 25:31-46

H. To ask always in Christ’s Name - John 16:23-2

LET PRAY:

God Holy Spirit, infinite Love of the Father and the Son, through the pure hands of Mary, your Immaculate Spouse, I place myself this day, and all the days of my life your chosen altar, the Divine Heart of Jesus, as a sacrifice to you, consuming Fire, being firmly resolved now more than ever to hear your voice, and to do in all things your most holy and adorable will. Amen

Our Father...
Hail Mary...
Glory Be...

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HOMEWORK # 7 - Due Sunday

1. On the video, find an example of Sanctifying Grace, and Actual Grace.

2. Choose from (II: From A-H), a Gospel Passage that stands out for you? Write 3 sentences of what it means to you. 

Read Acts of the Apostles Chapter 11 & 12 - Answer these Questions

1. What did the voice say to Peter about eating unclean animals?

      2. Which of the two Saints were at the Church at Antioch? 

      3. What did the disciples do when the prophet Agabus announced a famine during the period of Emperor Claudius’ Reign?

     4. Who freed St. Peter from prison? How did he escape? 

     5. Who struck down King Herod? 

     6. Who is the man that joins Barnabas and Saul? What was his second name?

You Are His Alone - Our Response to God in the Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation (Lesson 6)

" One of the best things to remember is that you are never alone. St. Joseph was told by the Angel ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:20- 23

God will continue to remind us that He is with you. During Advent, we continue the Journey as a practice to help us put our attention on Christ. He is the Reason for this Season. 

As we learn about the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is important  to prepare for the Rite of Confirmation, and know how to respond. 

I - What is a RITE? 

1. It comes from the Latin word, Rītus, which means a Religious Ceremony. 

2. The Rite of Confirmation is usually celebrated during the Mass. When the Bishop or Priest (Usually the Pastor) concludes with the Homily, he will invite the candidates to stand. 

3. As a Candidate in receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Bishop or Priest will ask you to respond to your Baptism Promises. These promises were made by your parents and godparents at the day of your Baptism. Our response is I DO

Click on the video to see details of the Confirmation Rite celebrated at Queen of Angels Church. Also, click on this link to follow what the Bishop/Priest says, and our response: Baptismal Promises

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HOMEWORK # 6 - Due Sunday

1. Click on the video for the Rite of Confirmation - Who is the main Celebrant of the Sacrament of Confirmation? Who steps in for the celebrant of the Sacrament of Confirmation when the Ordinary Person is unavailable? 

2. What is the Candidates response when making his or her Baptismal Promises? 

3. What is the name Sacred Oil used when the Celebrant blesses the forehead of the Candidate? 

Read Acts of the Apostles Chapter 9 & 10 - Answer these Questions

1.    Who spoke to Saul when he was lying on the ground? What did the Voice say?

2.   What was the street called that Ananias had to go to? Why?

3.    What did the people say of Saul when he was preaching in the Synagogue in Damascus?

4.   What did Saul’s disciples do for him when he knew that the Jews were plotting to kill him?

5.   What did the churches of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, experience?

6.   Who was Aeneas? 

7.   What did St. Peter do for Tabitha? 

8.   Who was Cornelius? What did he want? 

9.   What was St. Peter’s Vision? 

10.   In Chapter 10:42-43, what did St. Peter say to Cornelius’ Family? Who were astounded by the Holy Spirit’s actions with Cornelius’ Family, who were preparing for Baptism? 

How We Celebrate Thanksgiving - The Mass

Good evening everyone and happy Advent! 

* The Advent season is a time to get ready for the Christmas SEASON (more on this in a future session). Part of our preparation is attending Mass and going to Confession.

* Attending Mass is something we must all do weekly (whether on Saturday evenings or Sundays). Especially for YOU, as you are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is of utmost importance that you attend Mass. 

* But sometimes, we may not find Mass as something that is appealing or important. This unfortunately leads us to not connect with God as best as we can and should. 

* What are the two most popular answers I get from people when I ask about Mass? 
    - "Mass is boring"
    - "I don't get what is going on"

* For tonight's class, please listen carefully to our special speaker, Ms. Maggie Craig, who has prepared a talk on the Mass, and why it is important for us to participate in it!

* We have TWO weeks left before Christmas arrives - we still have time this Advent to prepare our hearts and homes properly for the coming of Jesus. And we start by Mass! 

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HOMEWORK # SPECIAL - Due Sunday

1. What is the purpose of the Mass? (I also encourage you to read the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, verses 14-20)

2. What are the 2 Main Parts of the Mass? 

3 - What are some ways that you can prepare better for Mass?

4 - According to Maggie, between 6:30 mins and 7 mins, who does she say we are? Why? 

5 - What did you learn from this talk?

6 - What does the word "Eucharist" mean?