| Confirmation 2010 |
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Confirmations in Ballygall
 During the last few weeks we have had three confirmation ceremonies for the children from our local schools, Mother of Divine Grace, Scoil Chiaráin, Sacred Heart Boys' School and St. Michael's House Special School - about 125 children were confirmed. Monsignor John FItzpatrick confirmed the children from Our Mother of Divine Grace School and the boys from Sacred Heart School and Fr Brendan confirmed the 15 children from St. Michael's House.
Many were involved with the children in their preparation for the sacrament - the parents, the teachers at school and the local parish. This year the children were given an opportunity to partake in a new programme called "You shall be my witnesses". Over thirty children opted to partake in this programme.
This programme provided an opportunity for adults to share faith with the candidates. Pope Benedict said recently "The proper meaning of catechesis, in fact must be this: to bring the flame of Jesus' love, even if it a small one, to the hearts of the children, and through the children to their parents, thus reopening the places of faith of our time."
 There were five sessions one each week over a four week period and one final session after the Confirmation. The children discussed how do they belong to their families, groups and the church. They asked the question 'How can I be a Christian?' Being a witness and how can I share the Good News? In the final session the students discussed how they can live like Jesus in the years ahead as they enter their teenage years.
The parents who offered to become leaders in the programme had initial training sessions with Monica Carr who was the overall co-ordinator of the programme. They were trained in child protection and each of them were Garda vetted in keeping with Diocesan Policy. The sessions were held in the Father Maloney Centre in a very relaxed atmosphere. There was a short prayer session at the end of each evening and all parents were invited to join in. The Children had many very valuable discussions and had a workbook that could be completed after the sessions. At the final evaluation of the programme the children were very honest and shared on what they had learned during the sessions. Many parents shared on how it had been a great priviledge to work with these young people and how their own faith had been strengthened and how they were hopeful for the future.
 These young people really made a great committment to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. We hope that all the children who will be making Confirmstion next year will partake in this programme and that Confirmation Day will really be a celebration of the Spirit coming in a new way into these children'e lives.
 Thanks to the children who were part of the programme and the very dedicated band of leaders who led the sessions.
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