OUTLINE ON “MY BAPTISM” 12 font size, double spaced 2 pages typed report Insert 1 – 3 pictures in your report if possible Interview your parents • Write down details that they share with you • Include any exact quotes they give you regarding that special day • How old were you when you were baptized • Details about the church • The name of the priest or deacon that baptized you • Date and time of the baptism (information should be on your certificate) • Were you crying, sleeping or just looking around • What were you wearing • Was your baptism during mass or a separate ceremony • How many people was in attendance • Who are your godparents • Are you still close to them today • Have they been role models in your life, if so how • Is there a gift you received that day that is still special in your life • • • • • • • •

Reflection from your parents Ask your parents how they came to choose your godparents When they watched you being baptized what were they thinking Did anything unusual happen during the ceremony Do they have any favorite pictures from that day If they do have them explain why What was the funniest moment before, during or after the baptism Ask them today what quality you posses today that they admire the most

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Reflection from your godparents (if possible) Ask them how they felt when your parents asked them to become your godparents What were they thinking when they watched you being baptized Have them tell you what they felt was the most impressive part of the baptism ceremony Ask them what quality you possess today that they admire the most in you

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Reflection from your grandparents (if possible) Ask your grandparents how your parents were that day Were they nervous, anxious or just over all emotional If they had to describe your parents in one to two sentences how would they describe their demeanor before, during and after the baptism Ask them what quality you possess today that they admire the most in you

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Conclusion / Summary After researching your own baptism how do you feel about it? This is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, what are the other Sacraments?

ESSAY ON “MY SAINT” 12 size font, double spaced, 2 pages long Insert at least 2 pictures of your saint 1st Section Introduction • Be creative • Include an open ended question that will get the attention of the person reading about your saint • Explain why you chose this saint 2nd Section • Include the saint’s birth date and date of death • Include the date of Canonization • List what your saint is the patron saint for • Discuss the background of your saint such as family, status and etc. 3rd Section • What did this saint do to make him/her stand apart and become a saint • What problems did he/she face while alive? • Provide details such as dates and places that any incident occurred 4th Section • What virtues did he/she have that can help you to be “strong and perfect Christian and a soldier for Jesus Christ.” • What qualities does this saint possess that you admire • Do you possess any of those same qualities? • If not, is it your goal to attain those qualities at some point in your life? 5th Section • Talk to at least 3 different people outside of your immediate family regarding your saint • Inform them about your saint • Have a discussion with them about your saint • Reflect on your discussion with them and how they responded to hearing about your saint 5th Section Conclusion • Mention again the main reason you chose this saint • Stress how you will gain strength to face any future challenges you may face in life • Discuss how a quality of your saint led you to choosing this saint • Conclude your essay with a commitment statement on how you plan to rely on your saint throughout your life

OUTLINE FOR “MY SPONSOR, MY FAITH” A minimum of 2 pages typed report, 12 inch font, double spaced Use these points below to help you write your paper Insert a picture of your sponsor and you together 1st Section “Your sponsor” • Who is your sponsor • How long have you known your sponsor • Why did you choose your sponsor • What qualities does your sponsor have that you would like to see in yourself as a confirmed member of the church • What advice has your sponsor given you throughout this past year as to how you can grow in your faith • What was your favorite moment with your sponsor throughout this past year • What one word or one phrase would your sponsor use to describe you to your parish priest and why • What one word or one phrase would you use to describe your sponsor to your parish priest and why

2nd Section “My Faith” • How would you describe how your faith has grown since you started in 1st Year Confirmation Class? • What qualities do your parents / guardian possess that you admire the most • How did those qualities effect you during your earlier faith journey • Do you feel that you possess any of those qualities yourself • Who do you think aspired you the most in your faith journey • What tradition of the church do you feel most drawn to and why • If you had to explain to a friend why you are proud to be a Catholic what would you say • What prayer that you have been taught throughout the years “speaks” to you the most 3rd Section Conclusion In your conclusion state how your sponsor will help you to continue to build on your faith and allow you to continue to grow as a Catholic.

OUTLINE ON “FROM BAPTISM TO CONFIRMATION” A minimum of 2 pages typed, 12 font size, double spaced Include at least 1 picture from your 1st Communion Section 1 Entering the Family of God / What Do You Ask of God’s Church • Explain what the Catholic Church teaches about the Sacrament of Baptism. • What does this Sacrament do to a person • What do the sponsors and parents promise for the person being baptized • What vows are made at Baptism • What gifts are given to you by the Church and what do they mean • What oils are used • How is Baptism performed • What are the symbols of Baptism • Why is the Easter or Paschal Candle lit during Baptism Section 2 Jesus Makes an Appearance • This section will be on the Sacrament of Eucharist • Explain what the Catholic Church teaches about the Sacrament of Eucharist • What does this Sacrament do to a person • People use the word “sacrifice” to refer to the Eucharist. What does this mean • Others use the word “meal”. What does this mean • What, exactly, is the Eucharist Section 3 First Meal • Write about YOUR First Communion in this section • Who celebrated with you • Where was it • Did you do anything special to get ready for it • Who was the priest • What Church did you attend • How did you feel • This is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, what are the other Sacraments • Don’t forget to include pictures if you have them. Section 4 Reconciliation • Write about your First Reconciliation • How did you feel once you received this sacrament • How do you personally view this sacrament • How would you explain this sacrament to someone that is not Catholic

Section 5 Scripture • Write down 2 bible verses that speak to you • Explain how you interpret these bible verses • Write down 2 of your favorite bible stories that you have been taught • Explain why you chose them and how the stories speaks to you in your daily life • What message is the bible story giving to you Section 6 Conclusion • Conclude with how you have grown throughout the years due to receiving the sacraments in the Church. Explain how through Confirmation you will be able to continue to grow in your faith