Author: Kerry Troost

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Spirit of God,
Seal our hearts with the Spirit of your love.
Give us the courage of the saints to love when it is easier to hate,
To see beauty beneath what is ugly,
And to bring hope to our world.
Teach us to have reverence and respect for all of life
And to look for ways to respond to the gifts you have given us.
Keep us always open to the Spirit’s presence in our world.
We ask this for your Kingdom’s sake.
Amen
Song Keep on Shining -Third Day © 2005 Consuming Fire Music

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
Introduction
Today we have gathered and shared some special time in preparation for our Confirmation. Throughout the morning we have focused on this special Sacrament and the gifts of the Spirit it is bringing to us. We pray that our lives will be enriched by this grace and that we may
become true followers of Christ by letting our light shine.
Song
Penitential Rite
Lord you have shown us how to shine for others.
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy
Lord you ask us to be a true to your word.
Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Lord you give us grace to be a light to the world.
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer
God our heavenly Father,
Your Spirit is upon us and has given us gifts beyond all measure.
Give us the strength to grow into true people of God
who are prepared to face the challenges ahead.
Guide us through our teenage years and help us to grow in your love.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
Gospel
A Reading from the Holy Gospel of Matthew
You are like light for the whole world.
A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl;
instead it is put on the lampstand,
where it gives light for everyone in the house.
In the same way your light must shine before people,
so that they will see the good things you do
and praise your Father in heaven.
This is the Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ.

Reflection
Listen to the song Holy Spirit and reflect on the following:
What type of person would you like to be in the future?
How would you like the world to be?
What will you do to help the world be the place you want it to be?
How does God want me to life my life?
How do I show respect for God?
Where do I sense God’s presence?
Prayers of the Faithful
Today we bring our prayers to you, Lord,
In preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation.
We ask you to bless the Church and all its leaders. May the Spirit continue to guide them. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
We ask you to bless our families. May the Spirit support them and help them to provide for their children. Lord, hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
We ask you to bless us as we prepare for Confirmation. May the Spirit give us the courage to live our lives according to the teachings of the Church. Lord hear us.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Thank you, Lord, for listening to our prayers which we make in Jesus’ name.
All: Amen