Youth Ministry for High School Confirmation Program

ST. RAPHAEL PARISH CONFIRMATION POLICY

1) Theology of the Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation which is intimately connected with the sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is seen as the first step in the initiation process into the life of the Church; Confirmation is seen as the fruition of that baptismal commitment. Baptism of infants focuses on the faith of the Church; Confirmation focuses on the faith of the individual and the role that the individual will assume in the faith community. The Rite of Baptism for children states that children who have been baptized as infants "must later be formed in faith ... so that they may ultimately accept for themselves the faith into which they have been baptized." Confirmation is the celebration of the process by which a person accepts the gifts of faith and receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit to mature and strengthen the Christian community.

2) Age for Confirmation

From a theological perspective there is no one "right" age for the celebration of Confirmation. There are many advantages to setting the age for Confirmation in the high school years. Young people tend to exhibit a greater psychological, sociological and spiritual readiness for the sacrament. In this age bracket, they are ready to reflect more seriously on the faith of their Baptism, to examine their own attitudes toward the Church and to come to a more adult understanding of, and commitment to, the faith of the Catholic Church.

3) Requirements of the Formation Process through Youth Ministry

Participation in Youth Ministry activities such as:

4) Requirements for Reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation

5) Readiness

A baptized person in junior year of high school may receive the sacrament of Confirmation when evidence of readiness on the part of the candidate has been demonstrated.

Evidence of Readiness Includes:

A. An expression of desire by the candidate to receive the sacrament. We encourage the individual to make a personal choice without pressure from parents, peers or the parish.

B. An understanding of the sacrament as a personal commitment to assume fuller responsibility in the community and in the ministry and service aspects of parish life.

C. A sense of unity with the parish community as evidenced by participation in the liturgy and the Eucharist, with an awareness of what is taking place.

D. A basic understanding of Christianity, including a deepened awareness of Jesus, His teachings and the role of the Church in continuing His mission.

E. A witnessing in the way the candidate lives a Christian life. The candidate may be called upon to witness his/her faith in a world often dominated by outside pressures. His/her actions should reflect a loving reverence for God and His laws.

F. Total participation in requirements of the formation process and all aspects of the Confirmation Preparation Program, including retreats, interviews, service components, liturgical celebrations and faith-sharing sessions.

Back to top

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY (SCC) GROUPS  

Beginning May 1, 2006 all teen participants can register to be placed in a Small Christian Community. Teens are placed in a group with two adult facilitators who have completed the three hour education session called “Protecting God’s Children” and who have gone through a mandatory background check. Two years participation in a Small Christian Community is required for Confirmation.

Youth Ministry Small Christian Community (YMSCC) groups are open to all high school teens. The groups come together for fellowship from October through May. The focus of these groups is community building, faith formation, liturgy, service, and topical discussions. Credit for participation allows up to six absences during the year. Make-up lessons are given for every lesson missed above six.

Catholic School Small Christian Community (CSSCC) groups recognize the religious teachings received in Catholic high schools. The CSSCC groups emphasis is group service, community building, and liturgy. They meet approximately once a month. Due to the limited sessions, any missed session will require a make-up of 2 hours of Christian Service.

The Emmaus groups are Small Christian Community groups made up of Juniors and Seniors who want to continue to meet after Confirmation. Facilitators will contact their group members after Confirmation to determine if their group wants to continue to meet. With their facilitator, the SCC group will determine how often they want to meet and what the focus of their meetings will be. If we have teens who would like to go on, but their group has decided not too, the Youth Ministry office will place them in a group that is continuing.

Back to top 

CONFIRMATION REQUIREMENTS

Confirmation is typically celebrated in the high school years and when all requirements are met. The requirements through the regular Youth Ministry program are as follows:

  • Two years participation in a Small Christian Community, either a Youth Ministry Small Christian Community or Catholic School Small Christian Community group. To get participation credit for a YMSCC group, the teen may miss up to six sessions per year. Make-up lessons for every session after the sixth absence will be required before credit will be given. Due to the limited amount of CSSCC sessions, any missed sessions will result in a make-up consisting of 2 hours of service for each missed session.
  • Attendance at two Faith Formation events during freshmen year and one Faith Formation event plus one weekend Reflection retreat during sophomore year. Make-up lessons will be given for missed Faith Formation events. A weekend retreat is required.
  • Three large group sessions during sophomore and junior years. Make-up lessons are to be completed for every missed session.
  • It is assumed that those seeking Confirmation attend weekly Sunday masses.

Back to top

CONFIRMATION 2006 (juniors)

Current juniors who will be confirmed on November 11, 2006, will be attending large group sessions on Sunday, September 24, 2006 and Sunday, October 15, 2006 . Both of these large group sessions are mandatory as are the following:

  • complete a registration form which can be found online or outside the Youth Ministry office and turn it in with the $50.00 Confirmation fee by May 31, 2006.
  • complete the Confirmation Assignment which includes writing a letter to Bishop Imesch and turning it in by Sunday, September 24, 2006 .
  • schedule and attend a confirmation interview between October 9-14, 2006 .
  • be recognized at one of the Confirmation Recognition Masses on Saturday, October 21, 2006 or Sunday, October 22, 2006
  • attend Confirmation practice on Thursday November 9, 2006.
  • attend a post confirmation meeting.

All requirements must be fulfilled in order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the fall of 2006.

Back to top

CONFIRMATION 2007 (SOPHOMORES)

Sophomores will begin their large group sessions to prepare for Confirmation. These sessions are mandatory and there will be a make-up packet for those who miss a session. One of these sessions will take place during the school year ( Sunday, January 23, 2007 ). Two sessions will be held next September and October 2006.

Confirmation for current sophomores will be scheduled in the fall of 2007 during their junior year of high school. We will notify you of the date as soon as we know.

Back to top

CONFIRMATION 2008 (FRESHMEN)

Enrollment for Confirmation in the fall of 2008 will take place at the 5:00 p.m. mass on Saturday, September 9, 2006 or at the 12:15 p.m. mass on Sunday, September 10, 2006 . We ask that the candidate and a parent attend one of these masses. This enrollment is mandatory for the teen and parent, so please plan to attend one of these masses.

Freshmen who want to be placed in a SCC group must attend the Freshman Orientation and Group Formation on Sunday, September 17, 2006 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. in the Parish Center . Freshmen are expected to be in attendance the entire time for orientation, group formation, and mass.

During this time, they will meet the facilitators and actually pick their own groups. We try to keep those who want to stay with a certain group of friends together, but each of the groups will be limited to 15 teens. Teens will be kept in this group for the two years that they meet as a Small Christian Community. Registration forms must be turned in and the registration fee paid before a freshman will be placed in a SCC group.

At 4:30 p.m. a youth mass will take place in the church with all freshmen and sophomore Small Christian Communities attending.This will count as the first session of their groups.

Back to top

SPONSOR INFORMATION 

The Confirmation sponsor is a person who has been and will continue to be a strong Christian influence on the youth's life. He/she is a companion on the journey, guiding the youth's Christian living and vouching for the readiness of the youth to complete his or her initiation.

The sponsor should, therefore, be readily in contact with the youth, spend time developing a relationship with the youth, help the youth prepare for the sacrament through prayer, study, service and discussion and, if at all possible, be in physical attendance at the practice and celebration ceremony.

To clarify the intimate connection between Baptism and Confirmation, the sponsor can be the same as the baptismal godparent. If, however, this person cannot present the youth with a real-life model and ready influence in Christian living, make another choice.

An older brother or sister may sponsor, provided he/she is sufficiently mature in personal, spiritual development. If there is a problem with identifying a sponsor, you may request the parish to help in determining a person who will be willing to develop a relationship with the candidate and be part of the individual preparation for Confirmation.

The sponsor must:

• be a practicing Roman Catholic

• have been initiated through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist

• be sufficiently mature for the responsibility being assumed

• not be a parent of the Confirmation candidate

The sponsor does not need to be the same sex as the confirmandi.

Back to top

CONFIRMATION NAME  

In both the Old and New Testament whenever God had a new mission for a person, that person received a new name, e.g. Jacob/Israel. Even without a name change, your name always stood for who you were.

Baptism/Confirmation sends each of us on a mission to go into whatever world we live in and to build God's kingdom there. While all initiated Christians have that general mission, God calls each one of us to a particular mission that no one elsecan accomplish. These may be "doing" missions (convert non-believers, starting a soup kitchen) but they may also be "being" missions (be the peacemaker in every situation, be the courageous one when everyone else is weak).

It is currently recommended in the church that the candidate use his/her baptismal name as their Confirmation name because of the close connection between these two sacraments of initiation. However, you may select a new name if you wish. In choosing a Confirmation name, determine whether your baptismal name does reflect that special mission to which you feel God calls you. Your Confirmation name should be the name of a saint you admire or wish to imitate.

Back to top

If you have any questions, please contact the YM Office via phone 630-355-4545 X-143 or via email to Susan or Barry.

Copyright 2008, St. Raphael Catholic Church                   Last updated February 4, 2008 8:08 PM