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Confirmation Preparation Programs
with Adolescent Catholics
Vision Statement
Principles of a General Nature
Confirmation preparation is an integral part of the
ministry which a parish offers its young members
All
programs preparing Catholic adolescents to receive the
Sacrament of Confirmation have to be viewed as an action
of the entire Church community. In light of this
reality, Confirmation preparation programs ought to be
considered within the context of the comprehensive
ministry which a parish offers its young.
The
development of Confirmation preparation programs relies
on four basic elements: 1) a solid theology of the
sacrament; 2) a sound catechetical presentation; 3) a
comprehensive parish ministry to the young; 4) an
adequate understanding of the development and life
situation of the young.
The
aims of Confirmation preparation programs have to be
viewed as ultimately pursuing in the overall goals of
parish ministry to and with the young:
A.
Foster a maturing faith in Jesus as Lord;
B.
Invite the young to full membership in the traditions
and life of the Catholic community;
C.
Empower the young to serve God's Kingdom of justice and
peace.
Principles of a Programmatic Nature
Confirmation preparation programs are instituted to
pursue objectives specifically related to the sacrament.
These focused objectives need to be clear in developing
the structure and requirements for Confirmation
preparation programs.
In
light of these general principles, the more specific
goals of Confirmation preparation programs (offer what
is needed to receive the sacrament with proper knowledge
and disposition) have to be viewed as an integral but
limited part of the more comprehensive ministry which
the parish as parish offers to and with the
young.
By its
very nature, a Confirmation preparation program is
incapable of carrying the entire burden of parish
ministry to the young. If the goals of a Confirmation
preparation program are extended to embody the entirety
of parish ministry to the young, the Catholic community
inadvertently truncates the ministry it offers the young
by virtue of its mission (e.g., Confirmation I & II).
The
structure and requirements of Confirmation preparation
programs ought to be determined by the very nature of
the sacrament of Confirmation. The structure of these
programs ought to ensure that the candidate has the
specific knowledge and proper disposition for receiving
Confirmation. The requirements for receiving the
sacrament should provide indicators that the candidate
has entered into the life and activities of the Catholic
community, is open to an ongoing relationship with the
Lord Jesus, and has participated in serving God's
Kingdom.
A
pattern of participation in parish life has to be seen
as a primary indicator that a young person is ready to
enter a program of Confirmation preparation. This
principle presumes that every parish ministers to its
young members through a pastoral program which is
comprehensive (i.e., expresses its self understanding as
Church). Participants in Confirmation preparation
programs ought to be primarily drawn from young members
who are active in their parish communities. However,
teens currently inactive in their parishes can also be
received into Confirmation preparation programs. The
implications of this principle should apply to the young
parishioners who attend Catholic High Schools.
Ultimately, Confirmation preparation programs are most
effective when offered within the context of an active
parish community. By the very fabric of its community
living, the parish community welcomes the young into the
life and traditions of the Church. In Confirmation
preparation programs, members of the parish community
(parents, sponsors, Clergy, Youth Ministers, Catechists,
and peers) highlight the meaning and implications of
this formative experience in light of the Sacrament of
Confirmation.
The
immediate responsibility for coordinating parish
programs of Confirmation preparation can be exercised by
any one of a number of youth serving parish leaders
(e.g., DRE, YM, Parochial Vicar). However, this program
ought to be offered with the active cooperation of all
in the parish who minister to and with the young.
Elements of Confirmation preparation Programs
As an
integral part of the parish's ministry to and with the
young, Confirmation preparation programs will pursue
their specific objectives in ways which include the
following elements:
Faith
Development:
Faith
development for young people in Confirmation preparation
programs should center around fostering a personal
relationship between the young and Jesus. The image of
the young on pilgrimage with Jesus as friend seems to be
most effective in this regard (cf., Crossing the
Threshold of Hope, John Paul II, p.126).
Confirmation preparation programs promote faith
development among adolescents when they strive to awaken
a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ. They
fill out the meaning of the relationship with Jesus by
instruction in the traditions of the Church, by
providing experiences of prayer and worship, and by
calling the young to serve the poor for the sake of
God's Kingdom.
Participation in the Church Community:
Inviting the young to full membership in the Catholic
community through Confirmation programs should be rooted
in helping the young perceive Jesus as present and
active in the Church (cf. Crossing the Threshold of
Hope , p. 126).
To be
effective in this regard, Confirmation preparation
programs have to be situated with a parish ministry
which reaches out to the young, invites and welcomes
them to full membership in the Catholic community, and
calls them to meaningful participation in the mission of
the Church. These parish programs of community building
need to have a variety of forms, feature freedom of
choice, be totally ecclesial, and be driven by
youth needs and interests.
By
reason of the Church's self understanding, by reason of
the stated interests of the young, and by reason of
recent experience, active participation in youthful
Liturgy is a key element in inviting the young to full
membership in the Catholic community.
Service
to God's Kingdom:
Calling
the young to service for the sake of God's Kingdom
through programs of Confirmation preparation should
center on Jesus' call to discipleship.
Programs of service in this regard should respond to
situation of real need (cf., Matt. 25. 31-46). They
should be experienced within the context of a small
community. They must be accompanied by prayerful
reflection and catechetical instruction. They must be
part of a more extensive, optional program of service
opportunities made available to all young parish members
throughout the year.
Adolescent Development
The age
determined for adolescents to receive the Sacrament of
Confirmation (later Sophomore or Junior year) presents a
vexing problem for parish ministers to the young. Faith
development theorists offer a way of understanding the
struggles which characterize many (if not all)
Confirmation preparation programs: the period during
which most of Confirmation preparation occurs is exactly
the time when the young are making the transition from
an affiliative to a searching faith. Just as the Church
is inviting the young to a fuller participation in their
Baptismal identity, many of the candidates are searching
for new ways to relate with God and His people.
Some
attention ought to be given to the special problems
involved in developing the faith of young people during
this time of transition. Parish Ministers in
Confirmation preparation programs need some preparation
for dealing with this difficult period in the lives of
the young.
OLR/OLJG
Confirmation Preparation Program consists of Year 1 and
Year 2
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