As the third and final "Sacrament of Initiation," Confirmation confirms or "seals" an individual's commitment as a member of the Catholic Christian Church--a kind spiritual "booster shot" to strengthen the commitments made earlier in life. At Baptism, one's parents and godparents make that commitment on his/her behalf. At First Eucharist, one enters into fuller association with the Catholic family of faith by being welcomed to the Lord's Table through the sacrament of Communion.

Diocesan Requirements
The rationale and requirements for HMC's Confirmation-preparation program rests on the foundational guidelines of the Diocese of Madison. Find them below or at: http://www.madisoncatholic.org/oec/Handbook/Sacraments/confirmation.htm

Parish & Program Expectations
Holy Mother of Consolation Parish typically expects the following:
+ A demonstrated willingness to accept adult responsibility for one's Catholic faith, the most common indicator simply being participation in weekly Mass
+ A demonstrated commitment to Christian discipleship, one of the most common indicators being to serve others--as Jesus did and taught.
+ A demonstrated commitment to the sacramental-preparation process, involving full participation in Faith Formation Classes and a day of reflection/retreat.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Other Retreats - 2010-2011

HMC requires an overnight retreat as part of its preparation for Confirmation. Plan ahead!!! If the November 13/14 weekend we have reserved for HMC at Camp Gray presents a problem, here are a few alternatives. PLEASE NOTE: Candidate's family is responsible for making their own plans for MOST of these "alternative" retreats, including signing up (and/or canceling in due time; failure to cancel without an excusable medical/emergency will result in families footing the extra money for the bill -- since food and materials are purchased, ahead of time, in anticipation of your youth participating). Anything marked "**" below requires the family to make inquiries and reservations on its own, including coordination of car-pooling.

HMC will pay ALL RETREAT BILLS to your facility, tapping some of the $75 "Sacrament Fee" we collect from every candidate at the Family Orientation meetings -- a fee that covers the cost of retreats, but also the Confirmation reception and any bus rental to Camp Gray.

Kairos TEC Retreat.** October 29-31, 2010 in Kieler, Wisconsin.
For 11th Graders and older. Sign up using info at http://www.madisondiocese.org/Ministry/EvangelizationandCatechesis/Retreats/KairosTEC/tabid/352/Default.aspx

Kairos TEC Retreat.** December 28-30, 2010 in Lancaster, Wisconsin.
For 11th Graders and older. Sign up using info at http://www.madisondiocese.org/Ministry/EvangelizationandCatechesis/Retreats/KairosTEC/tabid/352/Default.aspx

Camp Gray "Welcome to Life" Confirmation Retreat.** January 14-16, 2011
Sign up at the Camp Gray website, at http://www.campgray.com/Retreats.htm

NEW!!! Resurrection High School Youth Rally. February 4-6, 2011
Sign up through Mary Lynn at HMC, so we can hopefully get a group together--or buddy with another group!!! Commitment needed by: November 15 for $85 early-registration rate, $105 thereafter. Info and promo vid at http://sites.google.com/site/resurrectionrally/
Camp Gray "Welcome to Life" Confirmation Retreat ** March 18-20, 2011
Sign up at the Camp Gray website, at http://www.campgray.com/Retreats.htm

Kairos TEC, at St. Francis Xavier, Cross Plains ** March 25-27, 2011
TEC (Together Encountering Christ) is an experience on Christian living, especially designed for young people and adults. The cost is $50 for the entire weekend.
All 2011 Retreat Dates:
• March 25-27, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Cross Plains
• June 10-12, St. Mary Parish, Pine Bluff
• August 12-14, St. John the Baptist Parish, Jefferson (Spanish language TEC)
For more information see www.kairostec.org or e-mail oec@straphael.org or call 608-821-3160.

A couple more will be added as they are known.