FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 So, the Confirmation class people gave each of us students two books. One for us that is thicker, and one for our sponsors that is a booklet. My Sponsor already said she is burning it after I am Confirmed. We are working on the discussion questions right now that it has in the booklet, but the reason she said she is burning it is because of the suggested activities and how ridiculous the questions are. See some of the suggested activities below. "Go have lunch in a community of a different racial make up than your own." (She is half-Indian and I am Caucasian, so what on earth? I could go to Indian food and she could go to McDonald's????) "Pray 5 decades of the Rosary and choose one of the mysteries." (Seriously? You can just call it "the Rosary".) "Work together to make you own symbols for God." (Uh, I like the one the Church already has, thanks.) "Take a nature walk together." (What on earth could this possibly to for us???) You see where I am going with this... Just thought I'd share this because it is absolutely ridiculous, and I thought it might give you all some laughs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 That really is silly. Things have obviously changed since I was confirmed in April 1998. I don't remember receiving any book except the one we used in Confirmation class (like CCD, really) and the Catholic Bible my godmother/aunt gave me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1322189552' post='2340159'] That really is silly. Things have obviously changed since I was confirmed in April 1998. I don't remember receiving any book except the one we used in Confirmation class (like CCD, really) and the Catholic Bible my godmother/aunt gave me. [/quote] Yes it is, and it has changed. It is insane. Not to mention the book that I was given went OFF about the Latin Mass, I almost threw it across the room... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='FutureCarmeliteClaire' timestamp='1322189833' post='2340161'] Yes it is, and it has changed. It is insane. Not to mention the book that I was given went OFF about the Latin Mass, I almost threw it across the room... [/quote] Why do some books feel the need to put down our own Church history? That is so lame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1322190045' post='2340164'] Why do some books feel the need to put down our own Church history? That is so lame. [/quote] I know, right? Gee... And honestly, my parish is pretty good about these things, I am guessing they either didn't READ the book first or just don't care... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiiMichael Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 To be fair, "The Rosary" is the 20 decades and the 4 sets of mysteries. If you really wanted to pray "The Rosary" you would end up praying all 4 sets of mysteries over 20 decades. It's just that it has become common to say, when praying one of the four mysteries of the Rosary to say, "I'm praying the Rosary". But I get everything else you're saying. That's pretty ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='GeorgiiMichael' timestamp='1322190666' post='2340170'] To be fair, "The Rosary" is the 20 decades and the 4 sets of mysteries. If you really wanted to pray "The Rosary" you would end up praying all 4 sets of mysteries over 20 decades. It's just that it has become common to say, when praying one of the four mysteries of the Rosary to say, "I'm praying the Rosary". But I get everything else you're saying. That's pretty ridiculous. [/quote] Right, but by reading these books, I get the feeling that they did not mean the 20 decades. This was not written for someone who knows there are 20 decades. Not being mean, but for real. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 What a shame that they are trivialising and minimalising our rich and beautiful faith. There is so much about the Catholic Church that could be taught before Confirmation, but to make one take nature walks and eat at ethnic restaurants is a bit silly and not at all part of the faith. One can learn those things in any secular household but we need to be learning about the faith of the ages and the fullness of Truth that is in our religion. I completely understand why your sponsor would want to burn the booklet after your Confirmation. Play the game for now, but perhaps you could do your own preparation with your sponsor and especially study the events of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon Our Lady and the Apostles. Blessings for your day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominicansoul Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 the really funny part is no one has to "prepare" for Confirmation... the Holy Spirit does all the work... ..after all, the Church used to be okay with confirming infants.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1322192543' post='2340189'] What a shame that they are trivialising and minimalising our rich and beautiful faith. There is so much about the Catholic Church that could be taught before Confirmation, but to make one take nature walks and eat at ethnic restaurants is a bit silly and not at all part of the faith. One can learn those things in any secular household but we need to be learning about the faith of the ages and the fullness of Truth that is in our religion. I completely understand why your sponsor would want to burn the booklet after your Confirmation. Play the game for now, but perhaps you could do your own preparation with your sponsor and especially study the events of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon Our Lady and the Apostles. Blessings for your day. [/quote] Wonderful post, thank you. I could not agree more. And my sponsor and I have a very odd relationship. We are only doing these questions for the sake of doing them. We are kind of strange in these ways: We are kind of best friends in a way, we e-mail every day, she has helped me with spiritual stuff even before I asked her to be my sponsor. Now that she is my sponsor she is more of a aunt-like role in my life, which she was before, but it is more with her as the mentor and me asking for advice and us talking with that relationship in mind. Yes, we do our own preparation which is basically all of our conversations. We are ALWAYS talking about something spiritual or related to God because that's pretty much the only thing we have in common! But we still get on so well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1322192837' post='2340194'] the really funny part is no one has to "prepare" for Confirmation... the Holy Spirit does all the work... ..after all, the Church used to be okay with confirming infants.... [/quote] Good point DS. And I got the 'whole works' when I was Baptised, Confirmed and received first Holy Communion all at the same Mass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sister Marie Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 I've taught Confirmation and while I'm not sure what those questions have to do with Confirmation... even the Rosary one... I don't think they are altogether wrong although their presentation is a little off. Obviously, the Rosary one is a fine question aimed at increasing deeper thinking on at least one mystery of the Rosary so as not to overwhelm someone not used to praying in that way. I can see how the eating at a place that has a different [i]ethnic[/i] makeup c[i]ould[/i] be a very easy way to increase an awareness of the universality of the Church. I can definitely understand trying to broaden one's prayer by going for what they term as a "nature walk." When I was in formation I used to pray my rosary and walk around the motherhouse all the time... it was quiet, calm, and peaceful... a great place to contemplate God's goodness and love. The pamphlet may have some kind of an agenda... however, even if it does; would it kill your faith to use some of the suggestions to deepen your prayer life in light of what you know is true about our church? Nothing they are asking is contrary to our faith and you might learn something about yourself and the Church by genuinely participating... even though it is not your cup of tea, which is fine too! There is room in God's Kingdom for a little diversity in what we like, prefer, and focus on. Everyone has different ways to pray - you may find one that you weren't previously attracted to is where God is calling you to speak with Him most. You are obviously serious about taking responsibility for your religious education so make sure to supplement what they are giving you with solid Catholic doctrine and serious prayer and you should be prepared to receive this great sacrament. If you try to see this as an opportunity to grow in union with the Church then you may find that you discover a whole treasure chest of graces that you never thought you would find. Prayers for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='dominicansoul' timestamp='1322192837' post='2340194'] the really funny part is no one has to "prepare" for Confirmation... the Holy Spirit does all the work... ..after all, the Church used to be okay with confirming infants.... [/quote] I know, REALLY! It is crazy. And somehow people have this mistaken idea that Confirmation makes you an adult in the Church, and that is not really true and definitely not the meaning of the sacrament! Infants probably desire it more and even understand it better than some of the teens being Confirmed now a days... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='nunsense' timestamp='1322192990' post='2340201'] Good point DS. And I got the 'whole works' when I was Baptised, Confirmed and received first Holy Communion all at the same Mass! [/quote] That sounds like the best! Although, I am so excited about being Confirmed and I truly want it so badly, which is why I wish it were tomorrow and I wouldn't have to go through all these classes and honestly the ones that are at my Church are a joke. It is really sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FutureCarmeliteClaire Posted November 25, 2011 Author Share Posted November 25, 2011 [quote name='Sister Marie' timestamp='1322193059' post='2340202'] I've taught Confirmation and while I'm not sure what those questions have to do with Confirmation... even the Rosary one... I don't think they are altogether wrong although their presentation is a little off. Obviously, the Rosary one is a fine question aimed at increasing deeper thinking on at least one mystery of the Rosary so as not to overwhelm someone not used to praying in that way. I can see how the eating at a place that has a different [i]ethnic[/i] makeup c[i]ould[/i] be a very easy way to increase an awareness of the universality of the Church. I can definitely understand trying to broaden one's prayer by going for what they term as a "nature walk." When I was in formation I used to pray my rosary and walk around the motherhouse all the time... it was quiet, calm, and peaceful... a great place to contemplate God's goodness and love. The pamphlet may have some kind of an agenda... however, even if it does; would it kill your faith to use some of the suggestions to deepen your prayer life in light of what you know is true about our church? Nothing they are asking is contrary to our faith and you might learn something about yourself and the Church by genuinely participating... even though it is not your cup of tea, which is fine too! There is room in God's Kingdom for a little diversity in what we like, prefer, and focus on. Everyone has different ways to pray - you may find one that you weren't previously attracted to is where God is calling you to speak with Him most. You are obviously serious about taking responsibility for your religious education so make sure to supplement what they are giving you with solid Catholic doctrine and serious prayer and you should be prepared to receive this great sacrament. If you try to see this as an opportunity to grow in union with the Church then you may find that you discover a whole treasure chest of graces that you never thought you would find. Prayers for you [/quote] Okay, this wins an award. Thank you for the kind words and the suggestions. Yes, the suggestions in the book are a little off and I really don't like the book they gave me, and my sponsor and I are always talking, and we both do the Rosary daily along with other prayers (we have never done them together, though...) What you said really made me start to think about different ways to pray and broaden my spiritual life. Thank you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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