Church of St. Michael - Farmington, MN

Welcome to the Catholic Community of St. Michael in Farmington, Minnesota

General Sacrament Preparation Information

While Sacramental preparation will take place to some extent during small group time at the LIFE sessions, the majority will be done in extra sessions, within the family, and on personal time.

Because the intention of receiving a Sacrament is to more fully draw an individual into the life of the Church, it is an expectation of St. Michael's that all children and youth preparing for a Sacrament fully participate in our Church life. This includes regular attendance at Mass as well as enrollment and active participation in the LIFE program.

Please seriously consider your commitment to raising your child in the Catholic faith before registering for Sacramental preparation.

1st Eucharist

Children in 2nd grade and above are welcome to join us in preparation of the Sacrament of Eucharist. In addition to discussions which are held during LIFE sessions, children and their parents are encouraged to complete outside activities and conversations. Please mark these important dates on your calendar:

2009-2010 LIFE Year

Sun, January 3 or Wed, January 6 Parent/Child Informational Meeting during LIFE Session

Sat, March 20 Mini-Retreat for Parent/Sponsors/Children

Sat, April 24 and Sun, April 25 Celebration of 1st Eucharist

For more information contact Sandy Glau at sglau@stmichael-farmington.org.

1st Reconciliation

In the past, 1st Reconciliation has been offered in 4th grade here at St. Michael's. Archbishop Nienstedt has asked us to begin offering this Sacrament in 2nd grade. This year we will begin this transition by making Reconciliation preparation available to all children in 2nd grade and above. If you have a child in these grades and would like to have him/her prepare for Reconciliation, contact Sandy Glau at sglau@stmichael-farmington.org.

Please mark these important dates on your calendar:

2009-2010 LIFE Year

Sun, January 3 or Wed, January 6 Parent/Child Informational Meeting during LIFE Session

Sat, March 6 Mini-Retreat for Parent/Sponsors/Children

Sat, March 14 Celebration of 1st Reconciliation

Confirmation

Beginning in 9th grade, youth are invited to participate in a two year preparation period for the Sacrament of

Confirmation. Following are a list of activities and expectations of those who wish to receive this Sacrament:

Everything You Wanted to Know About Confirmation

Sponsor: Youth need to choose an adult confirmed in the Catholic faith to act as a sponsor and prayer partner. Sponsors will be asked to support their Confirmation candidates by:

Attending two special candidate/sponsor LIFE sessions each year

Assisting candidate in completing the Confirmation Journal

Praying for candidate during the preparation process

Attending the Confirmation service

LIFE Sessions: Full and active participation in the LIFE sessions is expected during 9th and 10th grade. Those that miss more than 3 sessions a year will need to contact Jennifer to discuss make-up activities.

Retreat: 2 Confirmation retreats will be offered each year. Youth are required to participate in 1 retreat at some point during their 2 year Confirmation preparation period.

Retreat options for 2009-2010

Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 Theology of the Body Retreat

Candidates and their parents are invited to participate in this exploration of Theology of

the Body, Pope John Paul II's compelling vision for love and life. Using a great mix of

stories, real-life examples, activities, prayers, and references to the culture that teens

understand, Theology of the Body for Teens answers the questions teens have about the

meaning of life and how they are uniquely created for greatness. This retreat will take

place at St. Bonaventure in Bloomington. Space is limited so make sure to register early

by contacting Jennifer at jennifer.hassenstab@stmichael-farmington.org.

To see more information visit http://www.saintbonaventure.org/

Registration deadline: Monday, September 14

Saturday, May 8 Living and Loving with our Personal Strengths Retreat

Confirmation calls us to live out our Baptismal call as followers of Jesus. During this retreat, candidates will explore how they were each created as unique individuals with special

gifts. What are teens asked to do with these strengths and how do they more fully answer their call as disciples. Contact Jennifer at jennifer.hassenstab@stmichael-farmington.org for more information or to register for this retreat.

Registration deadline: Friday, April 30

Journal: Youth will receive a journal that must be completed on their own time. This journal will be collected, read, and returned in the spring of the Confirmation year.

Service: Those preparing for Confirmation will need to complete a total of 12 hours of service over their 2 year preparation period. A minimum of 6 of those hours must be given to a parish experience.

Saint Name: Archbishop Nienstedt has asked that all candidates chose a saint’s name to be used at the time of their Confirmation. Possible names will be discussed during LIFE sessions.

Mark Your Calendar for 2009-2010 Year

Friday, Oct 2 and Saturday, Oct 3

Theology of the Body Retreat – 1st Retreat Opportunity

Sunday, Oct 4 and Wednesday, Oct 7

Parent Information Night during LIFE session

Sunday, Oct 11 and Wednesday, Oct 21

Youth/Sponsor Night during LIFE session

Sunday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 10 Change to Sunday, January 3 and Wednesday, January 6

Youth/Sponsor Night during LIFE session

Sunday, March 21 and Wednesday, March 24

Confirmation Journals turned in at LIFE session

Confirmation Names turned in LIFE session