Program Director’s Manual

---

You can find additional support and resources in RCL’s Confirmation Program Director’s Manual. A table of contents is provided below.

Contents

Welcome	5
Tap into Your Resources: Confirmation Components	6
Program Philosophy	7
Scope and Sequence	8
Models for Using RCL’s Confirmation Program  Part One • For the Program Director	10
Program Preparation About This Section	13
Role of the Catechist, Family, Sponsor, and Assembly	14
Using RCL’s Sacraments Web Site	16
Using the Candidate and Sponsor Covenants	17
Guidelines for Planning the Celebration of Confirmation	18
Liturgy Planning Worksheet for Confirmation	19
Rite of Confirmation	21
Checklist for the Program Director	25
Professional Articles
—Readiness for the Sacraments	26
—The Holy Spirit and the Sacraments of Christian Initiation	27
—Rituals and Symbols in the Preparation of Sacraments	28
—Canon Law and the Initiation Sacraments	30
—Initiation: Incorporation into Christ	32
—Call to Mission	34
—Mystagogy	36
Confirmation Program Evaluation
—For Candidates	38
—For Catechists	39
—For Sponsors	40
—For Parents	41
—For the Director	42
Part Two • Prayer and Retreats
About This Section	45
Covenant-Signing Ritual	46
Evening of Reflection	48
Worship Aid: Evening of Reflection	50
Communal Reconciliation Service	52
Retreat Planning	54
Half-day Retreat	55
Full-day Retreat	58
Overnight Retreat	62
Symbols of the Holy Spirit	67
A Letter to Myself	68
Part Three • For the Catechist
About This Section	71
Orientation Session with Confirmation Catechists	72
Working with Younger and Older Teens	77
Opening Rituals	79
Tips for Leading Prayer	80
Gathering Activities	82
Implementing Service Projects	83
Part Four • For the Family and the Sponsor
About This Section	87
Initial Letter to Parents	88
Orientation Meeting with Candidates, Parents, and Sponsors	89
Frequently Asked Questions from Parents	94
Readiness for the Sacraments	96
The Role of Sponsors	97
Choosing a Confirmation Name	99
“Together as a Family” Pages	100
Initial Letter to Sponsors	108
Sponsor Covenant	109
Candidate Covenant	110
Part Five • For the Parish Assembly
About This Section	113
Parish Involvement	114
Parish Blessings	115
A Parish Flyer: Sacramental People	116
A Whole Community Assembly	124
Bulletin Announcements	128
General Intercessions	129
Part SIX • Mystagogy
About This Section	133
Mystagogy: An Overview	134
Mystagogical Session 1: Catechesis	136
Mystagogical Session 2: Service and Witness	138
Mystagogical Session 3: Prayer and Reflection	140
For the Life of the World	142
Reflecting on the Rite of Confirmation	143
Guidelines for Preparing a Witness Talk	144