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CONFIRMATION
PROGRAM --
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY
"When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted
the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they
arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy
Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them;
they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then
Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the
Holy Spirit." Acts 8:14-17. |
Overview
Requirements
Striking a Balance
Confirmation 2004-2005
Registration |
Overview
Young adults/teens seeking the Sacrament
of Confirmation must be enrolled in the Confirmation Program of our
High School Youth Ministry.
Our Confirmation Program is a two-year
program. Our First Year Candidates are in the 9th-11th grades (the majority
are in 9th grade) and our Second Year Candidates are in the 10th-12th grades
(the majority are in 10th grade). Candidates are confirmed at the end of
their second year, usually in May.
Confirmation Preparation for both First
and Second Year Candidates begins each year in September with a required
Intake Session where the Family Team, consisting of the Candidate,
parent(s)
and Sponsor (required only for Second Year students) all sit down together
to design an individualized program, with the assistance of a catechist.
There are multiple Intake Sessions on different days of the week at
different times to allow for various schedules.
Requirements for Formation
The requirements for formation include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Regular attendance at our Sunday
Evening HSYM meetings
- Attendance at our weekend Liturgies
- Attending one of our weekend-long Fall
or Spring Retreats during the Candidate's two-year involvement
- Parish-related service activities
- Learning booklets for our Second Year
Candidates.
(See our Program
section on the HSYM page for further details on the Sunday Night
Meetings and Retreats.)
Selecting A Sponsor
The following are requirements for the role of Sponsor as
defined by Canon Law:
--A Sponsor must be at least sixteen (16) years of age
--A Sponsor must be a fully initiated Catholic (one who has received
the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist)
--A Sponsor may not be the parent of the one to be confirmed
The following are additional recommended characteristics of a
Sponsor:
--Having a Sponsor who is a local resident promotes consistent
involvement of the Sponsor throughout the Confirmation process which
serves to emphasize the sacrament's focus on community. For this
reason, it is even suggested that the Sponsor be a member of our Parish
Community.
--The Sponsor should have a positive and comfortable relationship with
the Candidate.
--The Sponsor need not necessarily recognize her/himself as a mature
Christian, but should demonstrate a willingness to pursue a maturity in
faith.
--A Sponsor should be a good role model and set a good example for the
Candidate.
--The Sponsor should be willing to commit the time and energy required
to meet with and guide the Candidate over the next year.
Striking a Balance
We are aware that the students have lives
outside the parish, and many are involved in sports and other
extracurricular activities which fill their schedules. Being active in our
program requires a balance to be struck, however. It is not our desire to
have our Candidates resent their time spent in our program, but to
appreciate the efforts they make through the process. Our plan is not to
weigh the Candidates down with unreasonable demands, but to help them
fully appreciate their journey of faith, while providing ample
opportunities to explore their individuality within the church. Therefore,
the number of requirements for our Confirmation Program are far
outnumbered by the options available to the students.
Confirmation 2004-2005
First and second year students are
required to attend ONE of our Intake Sessions with their parents (Sponsors
must also come with the second year students). This year's sessions
are scheduled as follows:
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Wednesday |
Sept. 15, 2004 |
7:00pm -
9:00pm |
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Saturday |
Sept. 18, 2004 |
10:00am - 12:00pm |
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Sunday |
Sept. 19, 2004 |
5:00pm -
7:00pm |
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Tuesday |
Sept. 21, 2004 |
7:00pm - 9:00pm |
You only need to attend one Intake
Session; we offer several to try to accommodate your schedules. If
you cannot attend one of the sessions, please notify Tim as soon as possible. You
will not be considered part of the program if you do not attend one Intake
Session. Please call Tim Janiszewski (410-255-3677, x106) or e-mail
him if you have any questions.
Our next celebration for the Sacrament of
Confirmation is scheduled for May, 2005.
Registration
Please call the Youth Ministry Office at 410-255-3677, x106
or send an
e-mail to register in the Confirmation Program.
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