Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when Jesus had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
~Jn 20:19-22

"They were all filled with the Holy Spirit." ~ Acts 2:1-11

Confirmation
Consistent with diocesan guidelines, preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a yearlong process that takes place in the ninth grade for young people who have participating in parish life and the faith formation program at St. Blase. For all other, the preparation process will be determined by your particular needs and circumstances.

For adolescents the Preparation Process includes:

• Session for Parents only
• Parent/Teen Orientation Session
• 2 Interviews (one at beginning/second at end)
• Faith Sharing one-on-one with sponsor
• "Cluster" gatherings in homes with a facilitator for 6 weeks
• One day retreat experience
• Involvement in Christian service
• One post-celebration "cluster"

Celebration of the Sacrament takes place after Easter at a liturgy celebrated by the
Bishop designated by the Archdiocese of Detroit.

CONFIRMATION CLUSTERS TO BEGIN Thurs., Jan. 15 @ 6:30 - 9:30 pm Candidates only must come to St. Blase Social Center to sign-up for the next phase of preparation. This session includes a presentation and getting acquainted with the Cluster Leaders and other group members. Be prepared to cygnet for the day and time that best fits your schedule or location. It will be helpful to come with two(2) choices in case a group gets full and a second choice is needed. Following is a schedule of days & times, and geographical area where clusters will be offered: Sat., 4:00 - 6:00 PM, 15 Mile/Dodge Park starts Jan. 17 Sun., 3:45 - 5:45 PM, 15 Mile/VanDyke starts Jan. 18 Mon., 7:00 -9:00 PM, 12 Mile/Ryan starts Jan. 19 Tues., 6:30 - 8:30 PM, 15 Mile/Dodge Park starts Jan. 20 Wed., 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Schoenherr/Clinton River starts Jan. 21 Thurs., 6:00 - 8:00 PM, 17 Mile/Dodge Park starts Jan. 22 This phase consists of meeting in small groups of 8 -10 young people in the home of a "Cluster Leader" for six consecutive sessions, as well as participation in a group service project, AND a post-Confirmation session following the celebration of the Sacrament. Please contact Claudia Messina at (586) 268-2244 or email her at claudia.messina@stblase.org with any questions.

• Adults contact Joe Wilseck, Coordinator at (586) 268-2244 to set up an interview.
• Teens contact Claudia Messina, Coordinator at the Parish Office at (586) 268-2244.

The Signs and the Rite of Confirmation

Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the "Sacraments of Christian Initiation." The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. On several occasions Christ promised this outpouring of the Spirit, a promise which he fulfilled first on Easter Sunday and them more strikingly at Pentecost. By the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnessed of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. Candidates for Confirmation seek the spiritual help of a sponsor. It is appropriate that this be one of the baptismal godparents.

Laying on of Hands: From the time on the apostles, in fulfillment of Christ's will, imparted to the newly baptized by the laying on of hands the gift of the Spirit that completes the grace of Baptism. The imposition of hands is rightly recognized by the Catholic tradition as the origin of the sacrament of Confirmation, which perpetuated the grace of Pentecost in the Church.

Anointing with oil is a sign of abundance and joy; it cleanses and limbers; oil is a sign of healing, since it is soothing to bruises and wounds; and it makes radiant with beauty, health and strength.

By anointing, the confirmand receives the "mark" the seal of the Holy Spirit. A seal is a symbol of a person, a sign or personal authority, or ownership of an object. Christ himself declared that he was marked with his Father's seal. Christians are also marked with a seal: "It is God who established us with you in Christ and has commissioned us; he has put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

This seal of the Holy Spirit marks our total belonging to Christ, our enrollment in his service for ever, as well as the promise of divine protection in the great eschatological trial.

Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:

• it roots us more deeply in the divine affiliation which makes us cry "Abba! Father!"
• it unites us more firmly to Christ
• it increases the fits of the Holy Spirit in us
• it renders our bond with the Church more perfect
• it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross

From: Catechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America © 1994, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.

Confirmation Interviews

When I interview eighth graders preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, I'm surprised at how many want to receive the gift of courage (one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit). We can learn much from these young adults. They realize that the source for the courage they need to face the world is found in God and God alone. We need to stop worrying that we will have to do everything by our own power. Our reliance needs to be focused on what the Holy Spirit will do through us - including giving us courage - because sometimes this is exactly what we need to get started. ©2004 Fr. Jeffrey Day, used with permission.

The Disciples and the Holy Spirit

What could change feat into confidence? What power is strong enough to put fears to rest and bring confidence to life?

Our fears come from many sources. Failure, loneliness, and rejection can all make us afraid to try anything.

Confidence often comes from outside, especially when we cannot find it ourselves. Someone else notices a talent in us that we've overlooked. A friend helps us laugh at ourselves. Or by sheer gift, we receive a new power, a new opportunity that makes all the difference in the world.

What changed the disciples' fear into confidence? Something might must have happened. The same group that fled at the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, the same people who cowered in an upper room after his Ascension - these people started proclaiming the message of salvation to large crowds in every language. How did it happen?

There is only one answer. The Holy Spirit made it happen. The Spirit, promised by Jesus, came in wind and fire to lift up the disciples and bolster their confidence.

No matter where your fear comes from, the Holy Spirit may find you and change your life forever. Will you cooperate? Are you ready to share the gifts of the Spirit?

Written by Paul Turner. ©2003 Archdiocese of Chicago, Liturgy Training Publications; www.ltp.org

Gifts of the Spirit

Lord, fill me with your spirit of...

• WISDOM to learn from my mistakes, to grow in self-confidence and still be open to your Word
• UNDERSTANDING to see all things in the light of your love
• RIGHT JUDGMENT (COUNSEL) to choose good friends and know how to be one
• COURAGE (FORTITUDE) to be unafraid of growing and becoming the best I can
• KNOWLEDGE to be open to the truth and willing to search for it
• REVERENCE (PIETY) to express my love and need of you in my daily thoughts
• WONDER AND AWE (FEAR OF THE LORD) to keep alive your awesome, gentle presence in my life
  

Fruits of the Spirit

• CHARITY: Loving God and freely giving love to anyone who needs it
• PEACE: Creating a bridge between God, others and yourself
• JOY: Responding to life in a positive way
• KINDNESS: Taking care of the goodness inside everyone
• GOODNESS: Loving what is right
• PATIENCE: Being able to wait and hope
• LONG-SUFFERING: Knowing that tough times end and dreams are worth the effort
• GENTLENESS: Going easy on yourself and others
• FAITH: Believing that God will always be there
• TRUTHFULNESS: Facing yourself and others honestly
• SELF-CONTROL: Centering your life on God's loving direction
• CHASTITY: Respecting the power and beauty of faithfulness and sexuality

Pentecost Sunday

The Holy Spirit gifts each believer as He wills. All of us have a place in the community to fill, a role to play in spreading the Gospel message. Each member of the Church contributes in a way no one else can, by giving not only of himself, but also using the gifts the Spirit gives. Some gifts are more public than others, but their value is the same in the eyes of God.

Pentecost is the birthday of the Church. The Holy Spirit is given to the Apostles so that they will complete the mission Jesus entrusts to them. We too are entrusted with a mission to be fulfilled in our everyday life, along with the gifts and talents we need to fulfill our tasks. Don't dismiss it as insignificant or unnoticed. If we fail in our task, who will do it? The Holy Spirit will guide and direct us in all things, if we are willing and ready. ©2004 Liturgical Publications, Inc.

Prayer for Confirmation: Come Holy Spirit

All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by water and the Holy Spirit you freed us from sin and gave us new life. Send Your Holy Spirit upon us to be our Helper and Guide. Give us the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of right judgment and courage, the spirit of knowledge and reverence. Fill us with the spirit of wonder and awe in Your presence. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

© 1998 Archdiocese of Detroit

The Light to My Path: Holy Spirit

I never liked the term Holy Ghost. This term conjured a picture in my mind of anything but holiness. In the mind of a child there was nothing comforting about a ghost. Also, the third person of the Trinity wasn't discussed much. Never discussed as "the Comforter" this third person seemed to dangle in outer space. Even at confirmation this third person wasn't someone who could be loving and approachable.

Many years later I encountered the third person as the Holy Spirit much as the disciples did at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit wasn't a person to be feared but embraced. Suddenly the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit weren't merely words on paper but were alive and opened my life to a new way of living.

The Holy Spirit is like the wind, unseen but definitely felt. His wind can be might when He needs to blow the cobwebs of old, unmoving ways from the mind. Yet He can be as gentle as a warm summer breeze as He comforts and consoles the broken hearted. Whatever we need, the Holy Spirit is there to guide and protect, bestowing wisdom and knowledge and finally molding an open and willing hear.

Perhaps this is the time to reintroduce yourself to the Holy Spirit. Rediscover this third person not as some distant star in space but as a vital part of your daily like. Listen to the words of this mighty, rushing wind as He guides you into the rich, fertile soil of the hearts of God's people.

Chris Kozlowski ©May 2004

Poetry from 2007 Confirmation Group

As we wind down from another year of Religious Formation we reflect on experiences of the past year. As Catechists we wonder: “How effective were we in our sessions with the young people? Did they really learn anything? Are they beginning to understand the beauty and value of our Catholic faith? Will they continue to live out their Baptismal call to be responsible members of our parish, of Catholic identity, to be a “light in the darkness” of our world?

We believe they will. We have seen the light shine in their eyes as they comprehend some of the wonderful facets of being Catholic. This past year’s Confirmation group has illustrated this with the wonderful poems some of them created during their preparation sessions.

This first set of poems was written at the first session by one group.

God
Creator, energy
Empowering, creating moving
A selfless human being
Peacemaker
Jesus
Kind, healing
Leading, teaching, sacrificing
Grateful, awed, joyful, unworthy
Son
Love
Giving, helping
Believing, caring, teaching
Describing you and me
God

This second set was written at their final session, after the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation in May:

Confirmation
Informational, togetherness
Exciting, challenging, relaxing
A very fulfilling experience
Rebirth
Lord
Powerful, forgiving
Caring, loving, seeing
Sacrificing himself for us
Spirit
Confirmation
Moving, exciting
Praying, singing, motivating
Becoming a better Catholic
Renewed

Of course, as has been said before, parents are the first teachers of their children’s faith. We cannot do what we do as Catechists without the support, encouragement and cooperation
of parents. May the Lord continue to bless all our families during the glorious days of summer — but remember to continue to live and grow in faith by attending Mass every week and living faith in every aspect of life. God bless.

Claudia Messina
Coordinator of Confirmation

Sponsors Are Spiritual Role Models

We all have people we admire from childhood heroes to adult role models. We see certain qualities or accomplishments in others and in some way strive to imitate them. It might be the ability of a ballplayer or the skill of a doctor, or the knowledge and ease of a teacher, or the love and devotion of our parents. We see in others qualities and talents that make them great.

In the community of faith, we have role models. The most common are the saints - ordinary people who lived faith in extraordinary ways. There are priests and parishioners whose virtue and faith inspire others to greatness. Finally, there are sacramental sponsors in baptism and confirmation. They show us by word and example how to live and practice the faith we profess.

Choosing a sponsor is serious business. Sponsors are spiritual role models - future saint makers! We need to pick those who really believe, not simply because they are friends or relatives, but because they can show us or our children the way of Jesus. Good sponsors have the virtues and qualities that imitate the greatest of role models, Jesus himself. Who better to admire, to serve or to love?

©2005 Liturgical Publications Inc., used with permission