Candidate Materials

Followup, Makeup, and Review Materials

The linked emails include followup questions for parents and sponsors on the topics we explored together at the sessions.

Wednesday, March 11 - Candidate Session - Discernment: What Do You Want From Me, God?

• Click on the email link above for a quick summary of the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" method of discernment and decisionmaking (incorporated into the parent and sponsor followup questions).
• Video: "What Does God Want Me To Do?"

Wednesday, February 12 - Candidate Session - Vocation: Hearing God's Call

• View the email link above for questions to use alongside the videos below.
• If you need a refresher on what "vocation" means, this video is short and sweet: "Vocation 101: What is Vocation?"
• Two videos about Sister Alicia Torres:
  • "Light of Love" film trailer (2:25 - you can stop at ~1:57 as it fades to a framed picture of a sister)
  • "Sr. Alicia Torres: A Recipe for Service" (1:44)
• Video: "I Will Follow" with Fr. Josh Johnson and Fr. Mike Schmitz (10:40)
• Video: "Story of a Calligrapher" with Erica Tighe, of Be A Heart (6:30)
• Video: "Wait, Marriage Can Be Fun?" with Maggie & Paul Kim (5:09)
• Video: "Soccer Was My God" with Deacon Ralph Poyo (4:05)

Wednesday, November 13 - Candidate Session - Authentically Catholic

• Video: "Evidence"
• Video: "Motivation to Go to Catholic Mass"
• App and website resources:
  • Masstimes.org - find a Mass time that works for your weekend
  • YouVersion Bible App is a comprehensive, ecumenical Bible app, with many translations (we recommend the NABRE, which is the translation used at Mass). It includes the awesome feature of built-in bible reading plans on various themes (like trust, the Alpha series, or a specific book of the Bible). Plans break scripture down into bite-size pieces day-by-day, with plan lengths from a few days at a time to a full year. You can set reminders and link up with friends to read a plan together, too!
  • Verbum is a Catholic app that's basically a faith library in your pocket. A great resource!
  • Laudate is THE Catholic app -- it has things like the daily readings, Saint of the Day, rosary, a guide for Reconciliation/Confession, Stations of the Cross, the Catechism, and like a billion other things...all in one spot.
  • iBreviary is a favorite of priests and religious, because it is a digitized version of the Daily Office/Liturgy of the Hours that the ordianed and religious pray but we're all invited to participate in. IF you ever see a priest praying with an iPad, he's probably using iBreviary.
  • Echo is a beautifully designed, unique tool for intercessory prayer. You can create lists of people and causes to pray for (organizing them however you like), and set reminders to help you remember to actually pray for them. So helpful!

Wednesday, October 9 - Candidate Session - Being Human

• Prayer Video: "Give Me Your Eyes"
  • Watch this video & reflect on the theological truth that all humans are made in the image of God (imago Dei).
  • Who do you find it hardest to recognize as the image of God?
• Video: "What is Privilege?"
  • How is privilege related to the idea of social/structural sin?
• Video: "A Trip to the Grocery Store"
  • How can we leverage our power to work for justice?
  • What does this have to do with being a prophet?
• Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
  • How does Catholic social teaching frame what it means to work for a more just world?

Saturday, October 5 - Candidate/Sponsor Day of Reflection & Rite of Enrollment

• Access the Self Exploration packet, including Discipleship Plan 1.0 (due Nov. 13th), on the Discipleship Plan Resources page
• Video: "Why Did Jesus Die?"

Wednesday, September 11 - Candidate Session - Being Christian

• Should We Read the Bible Literally? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZH4LfQCQWU
• Misreading Genesis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVsbVAVSssc (Be sure to look at Genesis chapter 1 and chapters 2-3, where there are two different stories of creation, as Bishop Barron mentions)
• Catholics and The Big Bang Theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7M9vgUCinY
• Clips from Bruce Almighty about how free will is necessary in order for us to love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6et2ZSodS0g'
• Clips from Bruce Almighty about surrendering to God and authentic prayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SGXZYinnaM

Sat./Sun., September 7-8 - Fall Retreat - Love God, Neighbor, and Self

Wednesday, August 28 - Parent-Candidate Session - Being Catholic

• Video: "Stealing Time"
• Information on Fall Retreat

Summer Reflection Process

In order to get to know you, the candidate, as an individual and best support you in your relationship with God, the invitation and registration period includes a reflection process for the candidate (and at least one of your parents), which is shared with the Coordinator of Youth Ministry in either written or in-person form. Please contact Ms. Rena with any questions!

SRP - Written Option

We ask that your reflection be between 400-500 words and be submitted by August 22, 2019. Please submit the reflection via email to Ms. Rena (renablack@stbernadette.org), in Word or PDF format.

Candidate Questions:

• Where are you currently in your faith? What do you love about it and where do you struggle?
• What do you hope to gain from Confirmation?
• What are concrete steps do you need to take to get closer to God?
• What type of Christian man or woman do you envision being in the future?
• Finally, we want to get to know you! What are your favorite hobbies, sports etc. (Don't spend too much time on this part).

SRP - In-Person Option

In lieu of the written option above, you and your parent(s) may choose to meet with Ms. Rena in May, June, or July to have a conversation about these questions. You will arrange the conversation by speaking with your parents and visiting the SRP In-Person Option SignUp Genius to make an appointment. Please prepare for your in-person conversation by reflecting on the following questions; you may want to jot down some notes to bring along.

Candidate Questions:

• Where are you currently in your faith? What do you love about it and where do you struggle?
• What do you hope to gain from Confirmation?
• What are concrete steps do you need to take to get closer to God?
• What type of Christian man or woman do you envision being in the future?
• Finally, we want to get to know you! What are your favorite hobbies, sports etc. (Don't spend too much time on this part).