Archdiocese of Santa Fe Office of
Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Saint of the Day                                                                                                           Daily Readings
Home
Youth Ministry
Young Adult Ministry
Hispanic Ministry
Contact Us
Skills Courses
Permission Forms
Prayer Requests
Resources
Scouting
Helpful Handouts
Year of the Word
Archdiocese of Santa Fe Confirmation Retreat
February 27, 2010
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Charity-loving God and freely showing His love to anyone who needs it

Lent comes around and you decide that you would like to be more charitable.  How would you go about doing this?
1.  Giving your time to the charities such as shelters and nursing homes.
2.  To be more charitable we should volunteer more, give to the poor
2.  Donate time, being there for friends.  Starts at home.  Unconditional. 
4.  Community service, help the needy
5.  Catering for the homeless, change for Haiti, made toiletry bags for homeless teens
6.  Volunteer work, reaching out to all people, managing our own materialism, give to others instead.
7.  I would go around with some of my friends and pick up some old clothes and go give it to people that need it more than we do
Peace-creating a bridge between God, others and yourself

You notice cliques forming in your confirmation class and it's causing problems.  How can you fix this problem so that there is peace among the class?

1.  Mix up the groups, be unifying person
2.  Be open minded and to new friendships.
3.  Including everybody
4.  Try to find something in common
5.  Do something together like having a pizza party
6.  More quiet people to talk to other people, ask questions and talk about their interests, more group activities that make the whole group interact with each other
7.  Team building because it's important for others to get along
8.  What we can do is try to have everyone get along with each other
Joy-responding to life in a positive way

You have been having the worst week, you lost your basketball game, you did not do so well on a test, you forgot your lunch money at home, you were late to class, etc.  Instead of feeling like the whole world is against you, how can you respond to life in a positive way after all of these events have occured?

1.  Look at the bright side of things; remember that it could always be worse.
2.  Stay positive, talk to somebody.  Think about the good things.
3.  Count your blessings
4.  Instead of just saying that you have been having the worst week you could try to make it better.  Instead of just complaining about it.  And keep your head high.
Kindness-taking care of the goodness inside everyone

You have been best friends with Alex since the 3rd grade.  Alex has always been one of the kindest people you know.  You notice that Alex starts hanging out with a different group of kids that like to bully others.  How do you show kindness to Alex in order for Alex to see that kindness she had inside herself?

1.  Be nice to Alex, talk to her about how she's changing
2.  Pray, talk, and don't judge
3.  Remind Alex of how much fun she used to have before she started to bully people
4.  Spend time with that person and question the changes seen (in love)
Patience-being able to wait and hope

One of your good friends is a very impatient person, but they want to work on becoming more patient.  Being the patient person you are, they ask you for some tips.  What tips do you give them?

1.  Not give up easily, think before you act, rely on God, be patient as you want them to be.
2.  Count to "ten" slow down.
3.  Pray for patience
4.  Being thoughtful before you act, modeling patience yourself
Long-Suffering-knowing that tough times end and dreams are worth the effort

Imagine you have just started your freshmen year of college.  It is nothing like you expected, the classes are hard, the homework is never ending, and you are unable to get that one on hone help from your professor that you were able to in high school.  In the end you know all of this stress and hard work will pay off.  How do you keep positive and how will your Catholic faith play a part in that?

1.  Pray, do the best you can; remember it's always darkest before dawn.
2.  Praying everyday
3.  Keep thinking positive, ask for strength for yourself from God
4.  Pray to God for help
5.  Remembering Jesus suffered for us
6.  Knowing that though times end dreams are worth the effort.  Catholic faith plays a part in everyday life is when times are not going good keep your head up and don't think negative.
Gentleness-going easy on yourself and others

You are a captain on one of your high school's sports team.  You end up losing one of the biggest games of the season.  Not only are you upset with yourself but you are also upset with your teammates.  How can you show gentleness to yourself and your teammates after the game?

1.  Support them and compliment on the good things, learn from your mistakes.
2.  Lift each others spirits, encourage
3.  Cheering them up by saying "Good job, you tried, you did your best"
4.  Pat them on the back.  Tell them it was a good game and we'll do better next time.
5.  Compliment, highlight the positives rather than the negatives
6.  By telling them that they tried their hardest and that they could try to put a little more effort into the game.
Faith-believing that God will always be there

Think of a time in your life when you thought god was not there for you.  We know that God is with is through the good and the bad.  Looking back on the situation how was God really there for you?

1.  Believe that everything happens for a reason; know that he always wants what's best for you.
2.  Trust that you're not alone.
3.  In time s of sorrow
4.  Belief that God will see you through any situation, allow Him to lead the way
Truthfulness-facing yourself and others honestly

You cheated on a test and got and A+.  Your initial reaction is happiness because of your grade.  However, you begin to feel guilty because of the praise you receive from your teacher.  You go home and feel guiltier because your parents want to reward you for your good grade.  How do you handle the situation considering your guilty feelings?


1.  Avoid the situation, cry and confess, learn from your mistake and NEVER DO IT AGAIN
2.  Consequences for taking short cuts...forward the effort
3.  Tell the teacher and your parents the truth that you have cheated on the test.
4.  Not cheat again, ask for forgiveness
5.  Tell the truth about the wrong, be prepared
 Self-control-centering your life on God's loving direction

You have always been really involved in your church.  You usher at the masses, attend confirmation, and teach CCD.  Your youth minister believes you are a really good role model and asks you to mentor some middle school kids.  You start to gain a new interest in playing basketball.  You become so wrapped up in basketball that you begin to miss church activities and en begin to get upset when someone from church asks for your help.  You begin to realize you need to learn to balance church and sports.  How will you go about doing this?

1.  Make a schedule that allows you to do hobbies you enjoy and things you should do.
2.  Balance is critical.  Organize can help you stay balanced.  Be prepared, prioritize.
3.  Praying, self discipline
4.  Time management should be used
Goodness-loving what is right

Your friend is asking you about your Catholic faith, what do you believe in, why you believe it, and why you love God like you do.  How do you answer them?

1.  Because of all the miracles around you and he helped you through hard times.
2.  Answer from your heart.  Share your love for your faith.
3.  We believe saints, tradition, community
4.  We believe in forgiveness, doing what's right, equality, the word of God, through prayer God will help me.

Chastity-respecting the power and beauty of faithfulness and sexuality

You have been happy with your current relationship with your boyfriend/girlfriend, but all of a sudden they begin to pressure you to have sex.  Because of your Catholic Christian morals you do not believe in sex before marriage.  How do you handle the situation?

1.  Talk to your boyfriend/girlfriend about your beliefs and want to wanting to wait until you are married.
2.  Say, "If you really love me, love is respected; you need to respect each other's morals."
3.  Self respect, use your faith to help with peer pressure.
4.  Talk about your faith with them and explain and figure it out they will understand if they love you
5.  Say you don't want to have sex before you're married
6.  Say no because of morals, think about consequences that could result
7.  Explain your faith and the negative consequences that could result
8.  I would tell them that I'm not ready for that kind of relationship at the moment but if you would like you can wait for me until we get married. 

© 2010 Archdiocese of Santa Fe. All Rights Reserved.