Category: Religious Education

On October 25, our K-7 Religious Education students and their parents gathered virtually on Zoom to share the patron saints they had selected for their families.  We had quite a variety!

• Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God / Santísima Virgen María, Madre de Dios
• Saint Alexius of Rome / San Alejo mendijo
• Saint Anthony of Padua / San Antonio de Padua
• Blessed Carlo Acutis / Bendecido Carlo Acutis
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel / Nuestra Señora del Carmen
• Saint Catherine of Alexandria / Santa Catalina de Alexandria
• Saint Cecilia / Santa Cecilia
• Saint Christopher / San Cristóbal de Licia
• Saint Elmo of Formiae / San Erasmo de Formia
• Our Lady of Fatima / Nuestra Señora de Fátima
• Saint Francis of Assisi / San Francisco de Asis
• Saint Gertrude of Nivelles / Santa Gertrudis de Nivelles
• Our Lady of Guadalupe / Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
• Pope Saint John Paul II / Papa San Juan Pablo II
• Saint John Vianney / San Juan María Vianney
• Saint Juan Diego / San Juan Diego
• Saint Jude Thaddeus / San Judas Tadeo
• Saint Maria Natividad Venegas de la Torre / Santa María de Jesús Sacramentado
• Saint Mariana de Jesus de Paredes / Santa Mariana de Jesús
• Saint Michael the Archangel / San Miguel Arcangel
• Saint Nicholas of Myra / San Nicolás obispo
• Saint Paul the Apostle / San Pablo apóstol
• Saint Philip Neri / San Felipe Neri
• Pope Saint Pius X / Papa San Pio X
• Saint Roch (Rocco) / San Roque
• Saint Rose of Lima / Santa Rosa de Lima
• Saint (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta / Santa (Madre) Teresa de Calcuta
• Saint Therese of Lisieux / Santa Teresita la florecita
• Saint Thomas More / San Tomás More
• Saint Vitus / San Vito de Lucania

In the Rite of Confirmation, the Confirmation Candidate is “called by name.”

As a Confirmation Candidate, you are being asked to choose a name to be used during the Confirmation Liturgy.  This may either be the name of a saint who has special meaning to you, the name of another holy person who has inspired you, or your Baptismal name (some form of a saint’s name that is your first or middle name).

Whatever name you choose, you are asked to do some research and to write a reflection paper.  This reflection is due on Monday, November 30^th and must be submitted online (details below).

• If you have chosen to take the name of a saint, write your reflection as if that saint is the author.  In the reflection, your saint should tell us what he or she did that was worthy of sainthood — how his or her work, writings and accomplishments served the people of God and inspired others.  Be sure to include the date of your saint’s feast day, the dates when your saint was born and died (if those dates are known), and your reasons for choosing that saint. Put yourself in the shoes of this person and explain how he or she tried to live a holy life.
• If you have chosen to use your Baptismal name as your Confirmation name, find out why your parents chose to give you your name and what your name means.  In your reflection, explain why you would like to re-use your Baptismal name as your choice for Confirmation.  If you were named after a saint or relative, you should write your reflection as if that saint or relative is the author.  Tell us about that saint or relative and why you think he or she is a good model for you to follow as you are Confirmed.

The paper is to be typed, 350-500 words in length. This is about 1-2 pages typed and double-spaced, but word count will be easier to deal with for digital work.  If the software you are using to write your paper does not count words, you can always check your word count using a site such as WordCounter.net.

Use your own words; do not plagiarize (copy text directly from a written source and pass it off as your own work).   Just copy-pasting or re-typing an article from the internet is not acceptable.

You may use human, printed and/or internet resources to help you with basic information about your saint or your name, and there are some ideas further down this page.  However, the most important thing is to include your own specific reasons for choosing this name as your Confirmation name, such as what you believe is the most important thing about the saint.  Pray and reflect as you write!

Ideas for Your Research 

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Talk to your parents.  They know why you were given the name you received at Baptism.  Were you named after a relative? saint? family friend? soap opera/telenovela character?
• Talk to your catechist(s).  They are getting to know you and may have some ideas about saints that would appeal to you.
• Pray and reflect.  Ask God to help you. Write out your full name and consider what you like about it.  Around your name, write things that you like to do or like about yourself.  Check if there is a patron saint for something you have written, and if so, read their story.

INTERNET RESOURCES

• Wikipedia might get you started, but it’s overly detailed & not written from a perspective of faith.  Do not make it your last or only source as you do your research! 
• Young Saints: Top Saints 25 Under 25. Young people like you have been involved in our Church from the very beginning.  Read some basic stories about them here.
• Reliable saint websites like the CatholicSaints.info, a wide-ranging index of saints and what is known about them.  
  • Alphabetical List of Saints — look for your own name
  • Patronage List — look for the patron of something special to you (look under A for “athletes,” etc.)
  • Calendar of Saints — find out which saints are remembered on your birthday

• Less comprehensive but still good are the saints websites on  Catholic Online and Saints Resource (many articles available in Spanish!).
• Behind the Name.  Learn the traditional meaning and story of your name or your saint’s name.  (If you can’t find your name there but know the meaning, submit it!) 

PRINTED RESOURCES

• The Bible. If you know that your saint is in the Bible, find out where and read about them. (You can search the Bible online in English or Spanish at Bible Gateway). 
• St. Joseph Edition of Picture Book of Saints (English) / Libro de los Santos (Spanish).  Who doesn’t love old-school picture books? This one’s about saints.   
• Butler’s Lives of the Saints.  A comprehensive book of stories about saints’ lives. Available in many libraries. 
• Books of baby names are also good resources for information on your name’s meaning.

***WARNINGS***

• DON’T Google “Saint (your name)” and assume you’ll get something good.
• DON’T submit a Wikipedia article or any other blocks of text copied directly from the source
• DON’T copy off a saint card you were given as a gift
• DON’T ignore or forget this assignment!  

How to Submit Your Reflection
(DUE NOVEMBER 30)

If you or your parents have a Google/GMail Account (school-issued or personal):

• Write the reflection in Google Docs or upload to your Google Drive account.
• Share the file with qa.svdp.youth@gmail.com.  Be sure to email a link to show you are ready to submit the reflection!  This is the official youth ministry account for the parish.  Ms. Hohner’s regular email account does not have access to Google Docs or Google Drive.  
• Expect an acknowledgment back during daytime hours.  Depending on your account’s security settings (especially if it is a CPS school account), sharing a file with an unfamiliar Google account may not work.

If you have a Queen of Angels School Office 365 Account (school-issued):

• Write the reflection in Word online or upload to your OneDrive.
• Use your school account to share the file with Rachel Hohner (rhohner@queenofangelschicago.org).  Be sure to email a link to show you are ready to submit the reflection!   
• Expect an acknowledgment back during daytime hours.  It is possible you will also get an automatic read-receipt when Ms. Hohner accesses the file.

If neither of those options will work for you:

• Email what you have written, as an attachment or in the body of the email, to rhohner@queenofangelschicago.org.  You can send it from your personal account or a parent’s account.    
• Expect an acknowledgment back during daytime hours. Depending on your account’s security settings (especially if it is a school email account), sending a message to an unfamiliar address may not work.

Session Overview for Catechists, Monday 10/26/2020

Introduction to the Session (15-20 minutes) by Ms. Hohner

Gathering and Zoom Etiquette (5 minutes)

Opening Prayer — “Glory Be” as Embodied Prayer (5 minutes)

Presentation on the Mystery of the Trinity (5-10 minutes)

Instructions for Breakout Rooms (5 minutes) by Ms. Hohner

SEAL: Example given QUICKLY in the large group by Ms. Rachel Hohner

• Home Scavenger Hunt items (will have 2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):

1. 1. an empty envelope
   2. resealable plastic bag (e.g. Ziploc sandwich bag)

• Tangible object(s) catechist shows: zip ties, embossing seal (will have 5 minutes to show & discuss)

1. 1. List as many uses for these objects as you can.   
   2. When thinking about how these items are used, what do the two types of items have in common?   

• Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (will have 15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):

1. 1. Read 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 on page 1539.  What do you think is “the Spirit in our hearts”?  What kind of deal (as in “seal the deal”) might the words “security” and “first installment” be intended to make you think of? 
   2. Read Ephesians 4:30 on page 1571.   What is being sealed and when will its seal be opened? 

• Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like a seal 

Breakout Rooms (30 minutes) led by each catechist pair

BREATH/WIND: Breakout Room 1 with Mrs. Monica Hohner & Mrs. Jane Bishop Lillegard

• Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):

1. 1. something you control with your breath (blowing bubbles, bubble gum, drinking straw, party blower)
   2. something designed to make air move (paper or electric fan, air conditioner, stove hood)

• Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: blowing bubbles, electric fan (5 minutes to show & discuss)

1. 1. What effect does your breath have on these items?
   2. How does it make you feel to have the air stream pointed toward you?  

• Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):

1. 1. Read Genesis 2:7 on page 24.  What gift is given to the man through breath?  In what situations might you see this action taken today?  
   2. Read John 3:3-8 on page 1399.  What sacrament is Jesus talking about in this passage?  Look again at the final verse in this passage (3:8).  What specifically do you think the wind represents in this verse? 

• Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like breath or wind 

DOVE: Breakout Room 2 with Ms. Rachel Hohner & Mrs. Ami Allen

• Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):

1. 1. something that came from a bird (feather, egg, chicken bone)
   2. something very light (tissue, fluff)

• Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: model bird, feathers (5 minutes to show & discuss)

1. 1. Have any of you ever seen a dove (white pigeon)?  When and where?  How do doves and pigeons move when they are on the ground?  When they are in the air?
   2. Try dropping the light objects from high above your head.  What words would you use to describe them?

• Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):

1. 1. Read Psalm 55:6-9 on page 703.  Do you ever wish you had wings?  Why  Where would you go if you could fly?
   2. Read Matthew 3:16-17 on page 1238.   What do you think Matthew means when he says that the Spirit was “coming down like a dove”? How would you feel if you heard what Jesus heard at his Baptism?

• Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like a dove

FIRE/LIGHT: Breakout Room 3 with Mrs. Liz Wannemacher & Mrs. Stella Peters

• Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):

1. 1. something that has been partly or totally burned (used candle, incense, ashes, burn scar)
   2. something that gives off light (flashlight, lamp, lantern)

• Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: baked goods, candle (5 minutes to show & discuss)

1. 1. How have the burned items and food items changed because of fire?
   2. When might you be very glad to have the light-giving items around?

• Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):

1. 1. Read Acts 2:1-4 on page 1441.  What were the believers enabled to do when the Spirit came as fire?   (Check out the green box on page 1443 if you need a hint.)
   2. Read Isaiah 9:1-3 on page 919-920. 
      • What change is described here? 
      • How do you think the people would feel before and after the change? 
      • Have you ever felt like you “walked in darkness” and then saw a “great light”?

• Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like fire or light

OIL/PERFUME: Breakout Room 4 with Mrs. Roine Dryer-Michaels & Mr. Scott Michaels

• Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):

1. 1. something that helps you smell good (perfume, cologne, body spray, air freshener)
   2. a bottle of some kind of oil (olive oil, cooking oil, motor oil, neatsfoot oil)

• Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: perfume, motor oil, hand lotion (5 minutes to show & discuss)

1. 1. Smell the scented items and describe for the group what they smell like.  When might you use them?
   2. Look at the labels on the bottles of oil.  How is the oil used?  What is its purpose? What might be the similarities between these different kinds of oil?

• Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):

1. 1. Read Proverbs 27:9 on page 801.  Do you agree or disagree?  Why?
   2. Read 2 Chronicles 28:14-15 on page 493.  Why do you think the prisoners are being anointed (smeared with oil) after the battle?  What might we use for this purpose today?

• Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like oil or perfume

WATER: Breakout Room 5 with Ms. Regina Rizzo & Mr. Michael Timble

• Home Scavenger Hunt items (2 minutes to find, 3 minutes to show & share):

1. 1. something that needs water to live (plant, flower, pet)
   2. a bottle of water

• Tangible object(s) shown by catechists: seashells, pitcher of ice water and a cup (5 minutes to show & discuss)

1. 1. Have you ever visited an aquarium or gone scuba-diving?  What would you see?
   2. What would you usually do with these items?  How do you feel afterwards?

• Scripture passage(s) & discussion questions (15-20 minutes to read in Bible and discuss using voice/chat responses):

1. 1. Read John 7:37-39 on page 1410.  What will the streams of water do?  
   2. Read Psalm 42:2-3 on page 695.  Have you ever been as thirsty as the deer?  What do you thirst for in your life?

• Prepare to report back: Decide who from group has best Scavenger Hunt sample items to show, and who will explain how they relate to the idea that the Holy Spirit is like water

Return to main Room (60 second countdown as warning)

Drawing Conclusions (20-25 minutes)

Group representatives report back (10 minutes, or 2 minutes for each group)

FlipGrid DOs and DON’Ts (5-10 minutes)

• DO make a video each FlipGrid class (or for the FlipGrid version of a Zoom class if you missed the Zoom)
• DON’T panic if you hate appearing in videos — there are alternatives!
• DO complete the assigned question sets — read directions carefully!
  • there may be one set for all, OR the option to choose a set
  • sometimes to submit in an online Form, sometimes to write down on a piece of paper from your packet
• DON’T think you can get away with doing nothing!
  • Confirmation is not automatic, you are preparing for it and have to put in the effort.
  • Relying on all this tech is challenging, reach out if you are having trouble with it
• DO the prayers — they are important for your relationship with Jesus and to remind you why you are doing the work
• DON’T lose your FlipGrid code — but reach out to Ms. Hohner if you need it replaced or changed

Homework Assignments & Closing Prayer (5 minutes)

• Textbook, read/do pages 5-8
• Next steps for choosing Confirmation Name
  • Read instructions for Confirmation Name reflection paper (final paper due November 30)
  • Start researching saints using the guidelines and resources
  • Next FlipGrid class, you will be asked to share info on 2 saints you looked at in your research: give their names and one fact you thought was interesting about each of them
• Closing Prayer to the Holy Spirit, textbook page iv

PRINTED form
for tracking your own service hours
(included in the November packet)

Our Lady of Lourdes (Leland and Ashland) – Contactless soup kitchen needs 4-5 youth volunteers on Wednesday nights. Set-up/bag packing from 4-5:30pm and 5:30-6:30pm to distribute the meals. Email Bill Thome

Church Reopening Team – be trained to sanitize Queen of Angels Church after Sunday Masses and other events; contact Loretta Namovic

Great Lakes Alliance – beach clean-ups

Greater Chicago Food Depository – limited # of students as volunteers, with adult chaperones

Upparent – places to volunteer & at-home opportunities

Resources for Military & Support Personnel – making cards & sending to the chosen charity
– greeting cards
– care packages

Cards for Hospitalized Kids
– FAQs
– how to make the cards (options for holiday or general cards)
HQ is at 7290 W. Devon Ave., 60631. You may be able to drop off cards there, but contact them directly

Project Linus – making blankets
– FAQs
– easy no-sew pattern for 2-layer fleece blankets
– drop-off in Western suburbs
– drop-off in Northern suburbs

Ronald McDonald House – snack bags for residents, made alone or in small groups

Cradles to Crayons