|
 
 
"Come and see, and they left their nets and followed."
Matthew 4:18-20

- You are invited to "come and see" by joining with other young people preparing to celebrate confirmation.

- Confirmation welcomes us, deepens our friendship with God, and strengthens us for our mission as disciples.

- Youth will be learning and growing as they join together to prepare to celebrate this sacrament to be received onApril 27, 2008

- For more information about participating, please contact Scott Morin. 
 
Confirmation and Youth Ministry
The emphasis of Youth Ministry at Immaculate Conception Parish is on the experiential nature of our faith. It is by integrating our faith experiences with life that we make the transition from head knowledge to personal relationship with Christ as members of Christ's Body, the Church. While emphasizing the experiential, the ministry also seeks to provide solid teaching on Christian discipleship within the framework of Catholic theology.
 
Confirmation is celebrated by the entire parish!
There is a misconception that this celebration is for the candidates preparing for the sacrament, their sponsors, and their families. This is true, but more accurately, it is a celebration for the whole parish community. We should all be encouraging the candidates to become confirmed along with assisting the newly confirmed to engage and involve themselves in the Church as ministers in some way. Ultimately, the whole parish supports the candidates as they continue in their faith journey, sharing their experiences of faith with them. That is why we celebrate Confirmation during the weekly 5:00 PM Youth Mass. It is a day that not only the newly confirmed can celebrate, but also the whole community celebrates with them. (The reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, May 6th, 2007 at the 5:00 PM Youth Mass.) 
 
Confirmation! Whose decision is it anyway?
Does the decision to be a Confirmed rest only with the teen?  Only with the Parents/guardians? 

The first answer is that God is the one that calls you to the Sacrament. God is in charge.

The second answer is that this is a family decision, between parents and teen.  How does being Catholic fit into the entire family life? Does being Catholic make any difference? Do the adults in the family practice their faith or is this some kind of "get it over with" thing?  Will this program interfere in the activities of the teen's life? Being heavily involved in school, sports, and other extracurricular events may not allow time to let the teen participate in this process. Make a family decision that is best for everyone. What if the teen is unsure about being involved?  We suggest that if you are thinking "Maybe I should do this... at least to find out more..." -- Come and join us. 

The third answer is that you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by joining us. You may believe we are supposed to say this -- although, we want you to know: we truly invite you come learn more.
 
 


Welcome!
Welcome to the Confirmation Process at Immaculate Conception Parish, where our mission is to "form loving disciples who will change the world." Over the course of our Confirmation Process, we will journey together and explore and enrich our faith by following Christ and being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2008-2009 Confirmation of Faith -- Living For Justice
The Sacrament of Confirmation is not just a catechetical program where we instill knowledge in the minds of young Catholics. It is a process where teens experience God in their lives through the signs, symbols, rituals, and sacraments of the Church. By our baptism, we are all called to be disciples of Christ in our world. The Sacrament of Confirmation is an extension of our baptism and first communion, where we realize the gifts that the Holy Spirit has instilled in us and we go forth and use those gifts for the glory of God, however we may be called to that.

Service and Justice Projects
Service and justice projects are designed to enhance the ability of the young person to serve as part of the larger faith community. These experiences are an excellent opportunity for each person to recognize his/her own gifts and blessings as he/she offers assistance to people in need. It is our hope that the young person will be guided to a lifetime of service to others as fully initiated members of the church.

Retreats
Various retreat opportunities will be offered throughout the entire year. These retreats provide the young people an opportunity to reflect on their personal faith experiences, as well as grow in fellowship within the Youth Ministry community.

Parental Involvement
Parental involvement is integral to the spiritual growth and faith formation of young people. Generations of Faith will help parents fulfill the family's mission by sharing concrete ways to bring the sacred and the ordinary together. We will provide parent and youth gatherings monthly, as well as take-home packets designed to assist parents with nurturing Catholic values, family togetherness, and spiritual growth at home.
 

A Candidate for Confirmation will be required to fully participate in the following activities:

  • Weekly Mass
  • Orientation Session with Parents
  • Monthly Faith Festivals and Events (more below)
  • The Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • One Retreat per year
  • Guest Speaker
  • Letter to the Confirming Bishop
  • Confirmation Rehearsal (April 25, 2009) and Mass (April 26, 2009)

 
We encourage each young person to participate in the following:

  • Service/Justice Projects (more below)
  • Community/Social Activities (more below)
  • The Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil)