Confirmation

[FluteChick2007]

My Confirmation ceremony this year is in the middle of May. We have to write our letter and turn it in this Sunday at class. But I’m finding it hard to write my letter- I know what I want to say, but not how I’m going to say it. I can do it I think.

However, I’m finding it difficult to go through the process when my teachers are focusing so much on things that don’t need too much focus. A lot of what they’re talking about is peer pressure and how to make the “Catholic” decision. While that’s good to talk about it, we have only briefly gone over the seven gifts of the Holy Spirt and only briefly gone over the traditions of the church. I got so frustrated when one of the catechists was going over something and said a couple of completely wrong things (I don’t really want to go into detail). She even told us at our retreat that she “didn’t want to be there anymore than we did.” How can I expect to feel religious under that kind of environment?

I know my faith and I know I want to remain Catholic, but it’s really frustrating when you know you’re not even talking about what needs to be talked about.

 

[puzzleannie]

FluteChick2007:

How can I expect to feel religious under that kind of environment?

I know my faith and I know I want to remain Catholic, but it’s really frustrating when you know you’re not even talking about what needs to be talked about.

that is the whole point, can you remain a faithful Catholic even when you might go without authentic Catholic teaching, or even be deprived of the sacraments, as those are who live in mission lands, who are in places where the Church is persecuted. Can you remain a faithful Catholic in spite of the bad example and sinful actions of other Catholics, even Catholic clergy and bishops? Can you remain a faithful Catholic even when you don’t understand the teachings, can’t seem to find a reasonable explanation for the teaching, and aren’t even sure you want to believe the teachings? Can you remain a faithful Catholic even when peers, even family members and those you love and respect the most deride your choices? Can you remain a faithful Catholic when it seems God is very far away, when prayer and good living bring you no joy and satisfaction, when the cross seems too heavy to carry?
If you can answer yes, then say so in your letter to the bishop.

 

[FluteChick2007]

puzzleannie:

that is the whole point, can you remain a faithful Catholic even when you might go without authentic Catholic teaching, or even be deprived of the sacraments, as those are who live in mission lands, who are in places where the Church is persecuted. Can you remain a faithful Catholic in spite of the bad example and sinful actions of other Catholics, even Catholic clergy and bishops? Can you remain a faithful Catholic even when you don’t understand the teachings, can’t seem to find a reasonable explanation for the teaching, and aren’t even sure you want to believe the teachings? Can you remain a faithful Catholic even when peers, even family members and those you love and respect the most deride your choices? Can you remain a faithful Catholic when it seems God is very far away, when prayer and good living bring you no joy and satisfaction, when the cross seems too heavy to carry?
If you can answer yes, then say so in your letter to the bishop.

I think I can answer yes to those. I really love my faith and I really want to continue learning about it. I couldn’t see myself as being anything but Catholic.

I still don’t know exactly what it is I’d like to say in my letter… It’s so difficult, but they only gave us 2 weeks to do it.

 

[puzzleannie]

just say what you have said here so far. just start writing, without worrying about grammar, spelling etc. what you are thinking and feeling about confirmation. when you have filled at least a couple of pages, take those ideas as your starting point for the finished letter.