CONFIRMATION

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CONFIRMATION

• Level 1
• Parent Orientation

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• Why do you want the Sacrament of Confirmation for
  your teen?

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• Email Address
• confirmation_at_saintkateriparish.org
• Confirmation Website
• www.skconfirmation.org
• New Website coming Summer 2015
• www.skym.org
• Confirmation Office Phone Number
• 661-296-3180 Ext 7908

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• The Goal for Confirmation Preparation is
  Discipleship
• Discipleship means to make a conscious decision
  to follow Jesus in the midst of His church and to
  direct ones life with this always in mind. In
  other words, our goal is to help the teens served
  by High School Confirmation to develop a personal
  relationship with Jesus that affects how they
  live their life on a daily basis.

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• The Confirmation Sacrament is a celebration of
  our faith in the Holy Spirit. The graces received
  through this Sacrament are intended for
  individuals wanting to serve through
  Evangelization, sharing Christ with others, and
  Martyrdom, dying to self for others and Christ.
• High School Confirmation Prep is intended to
  bring about conversion in the hearts of teens so
  they see Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life
  and therefore come to the Sacrament with hearts
  properly disposed to receive it.

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Who is invited to participate in High School
Confirmation Prep Level 1?

• Teens entering 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade in
  the fall of 2014
• 9th, 10th, or 11th graders can complete their
  2nd year of preparation in High School
  Confirmation
• 12th graders will complete their 2nd year in
  Adult Confirmation (please contact Youth Director
  if you are enrolling a 12th grader)

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Catechesis

• The Goal of Catechesis is to bring about a
  personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Saint Kateri High School Confirmation has adopted
  a curriculum with this goal in mind
• CHOSEN Your Journey Toward Confirmation
• Every teen receives their personal copy of the
  CHOSEN book to use for all two years
• www.AscensionPress.com
• Video Driven Plug Play
• Leader Guide available to check out or view in
  the Confirmation office
• DVDs available to view in Confirmation office by
  appointment
• Students receive their own CHOSEN resource to
  keep and use as reference personal journal for
  whole 2 year process
• Parent and Sponsor Guides from CHOSEN are
  excellent resources and provide Conversation
  Starters (available for purchase through the
  Confirmation office)

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Sunday Format

• 2 Sunday sessions per month
• Form 4-630 (includes 530 Mass)
• Teens meet in the hall or in their small
• group space by 4pm promptly
• May be dropped off as early at 345pm
• Small groups will view video curriculum together
  discuss
• Mass 530-tees go to Mass with their small
  group
• Parents must email facilitator in advance or send
  a note with teen if they are leaving early
• No pickup between 530pm and 630pm so our
  facilitators can attend Mass with their teens

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Small Group Structure Discipleship

• Each small group will have 8-9 teens (ideally), 1
  adult facilitator and 1 Confirmed Teen Peer
  Leader
• Small groups stays the same for whole 2 year
  process
• Team trust building games/activities designed
  to build community within the small group
• Trusting dynamic within the small group is
  essential for a teens journey to discipleship
• There is a field on the registration form to
  request up to 2 friends in the small group (can
  usually guarantee at least 1 friend but often 2)
• friend request must go both ways, each must
  request the other on the registration form

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Retreats

• 1 Weekend Retreat per year of Confirmation Prep
  is required
• Level 1 Retreat is October 9-11, 2015 Attendance
  is required. If a teen knows in advance they are
  not available that weekend, please contact Youth
  Director as soon as possible.
• Luggage drop off for retreat is Thursday, October
  8 6pm-730pm in Hall 3
• Medications are checked in at retreat drop off on
  Friday October 9 at 5pm
• A pizza dinner will be provided at Saint Kateri
  during retreat drop off
• Teens all ride on buses to retreat center The
  Oaks Retreat Camp in Lake Elizabeth
  www.theoakscamp.org
• Retreat Contract will be part of registration
  packet
• Teens return for Wrap Up with parents, family
  sponsors in the hall about 2 pm on Sunday, Oct 11
• Wrap Up will last about 45minutes usually
  includes video

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Scripture

• Students will each receive a personal copy of the
  New American Bible during Level 1
• Same version of Scripture that is read at mass
• Facilitators will guide them during small group
  time on how to find the readings they will hear
  at mass in their bible

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Additional Elements

• Parish Life Service
• Participation in 1 or more of Triduum masses
  during Holy Week
• Reconciliation (at Penance Services or weekly
  offered)
• Rite of Welcome in November
• Discernments in the Spring
• Sponsors
• Parent Sponsor Formation Sessions
• Life Teen

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Parish Life Service

• Each teen asked to participate or serve in 5
  different ministries throughout the year.
• Purpose is to provide opportunities to explore
  some of the 50 ministries offered at our parish
• Reflection questions to be completed for each of
  the 5 experiences and turned in at discernment in
  the Spring
• 1 of the Reflection Questions is something they
  have to ask of someone that actually serves in
  the ministry they are visiting
• Can be started over the summer. Check out the
  Parish Life Service Page of the website
• Options available year round will be posted on
  the website and one time options emailed blasted
  to all Level 1 Confirmation families as they
  arise
• Level 2 students will join a ministry to fulfill
  Parish Life Service

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Holy Week/Triduum

• All Confirmation teens are asked to attend at
  least 1 of the following 3 Triduum services. L1
  students that attend the training and serve
  during a Triduum service can use that experience
  towards Parish Life
• 1. Thursday, March 24 7-830pm Mass of the Lords
  supper with washing of feet
• 2. Friday, March 25 1pm or 730pm Good Friday
  Mass including Veneration of the Cross
• Serving at one of the Triduum services would
  count toward Parish Life Service

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Reconciliation

• Sacrament of Reconciliation is crucial to
  preparing for a properly disposed heart when
  receiving the Sacrament
• Level 1 Teens will be encouraged to start
  frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Teens may attend Reconciliation during an Advent
  Penance Service, Lenten Penance Service or
  Confession times offered weekly at local parishes
• Local Parish Schedule SK Sat 345-5pm, OLPH Sat
  845-10am 330-415pm, St. Clare Sat 930am
  430pm)

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High School Confirmation Rites

• Rite of Welcome during Sunday 530 mass on
  November 15 (tentative)
• Rite of Enrollment in Spring of Level 2
• Sponsor presence requested as they are part of
  the Rite
• A parent may stand in for a sponsor for Rite of
  Welcome
• Opportunity for public commitment to Confirmation
  Journey
• Opportunity to connect candidates to wider
  parish community and for the parish community to
  show their loving support

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Discernments

• Scheduled in 20 minute intervals over 3 weekdays
  in the Spring
• To discern in the context of the Church is to
  search to know Gods will for your life, in a
  particular situation or in making a particular
  decision, etc.
• Discernment is like a muscle that needs to be
  used to grow strong
• Designed to help in the Confirmation preparation
  process to discern where they are in their
  relationship with Jesus, their readiness to
  continue on the Confirmation preparation journey
  what ministry in the parish to which God may be
  calling them

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Choosing a Sponsor

• The best sponsor is someone that is truly excited
  about their Catholic faith and wants to share it
  with your teen
• Must be 16 years old and a Confirmed, practicing
  Catholic
• May be male or female
• May not be a parent
• Eligible to receive the Sacraments and expected
  to receive Holy Communion at the Mass of
  Confirmation
• Sponsors are asked to commit to being in regular
  contact (weekly ideal) with their candidate so
  they can share their faith, answer questions and
  discuss the Confirmation journey. Text, skype,
  email, snail mail, social media, phone calls, etc
  are all valid avenues
• Sponsors are asked to commit to attending 3
  Parent Sponsor Formation Sessions

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Parent Sponsor Formation

• 1st one will be Sunday, September 27 at 645pm in
  the Church. It will be the 1st night of
  Liberate a 3 night parish wide event on the
  Mass that allows for small group sign ups after
  if you wish to continue to explore encountering
  God through the Mass connect with others in the
  parish
• Designed to encourage conversations
  interaction with your teen as well as inspire
  parents sponsors
• Attend with your teen
• Check in with your teens facilitator so they can
  meet you!
• Dates for 2nd 3rd Parent Sponsor Formations
  will be released August 11

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Life Teen

• The most prolific youth ministry in the Catholic
  Church
• Leads teens closer to Christ by participating in
  lively youth Masses and offering a fun,
  teen-centered community in which to grow in faith
• Saint Kateri Youth Mass is every Saturday at
  530pm
• Following the Youth Mass, Life Teen ministers and
  CORE members lead Life Nights that start with a
  yummy dinner
• Life Nights Themes are either faith-building,
  social or deal with current teen issues
• Is a drop in program, after registering for the
  first night of attendance teens are welcome to
  come as often or as little as works for them
• 2 Retreats offered each year, one in the summer
  one in the winter
• Current 8th graders are eligible to attend Life
  Teen Retreat this July 24-26 Life Nights
  starting w/Freshman Welcome June 6
• Check out their website for more info
  www.bkym.org or the Life Teen International site
  www.lifeteen.com

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Confirmation Saint

• Teens encouraged to find a saint that inspires
  them personally
• Teens will be asked to complete a report about
  their saint over the summer between Level 1 and
  Level 2
• Teens will be able to declare a Confirmation
  Saint Name that the Bishop will use when
  conferring their Sacrament

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Confirmation Preparation is a Family Journey

• Parents asked to commit to attending 3 Parent
  Sponsor formations
• Parent and family members attitudes toward
  session, retreat Mass attendance greatly affect
  their teens experience
• Confirmation Preparation provides the time and
  space for teens to explore and decide what they
  believe in so they can experience the invitation
  to Jesus call personally.
• This invitation and opportunity to make faith in
  Jesus and His Church their own will only be
  effective if your teen is supported by you
  prayerfully, vocally and physically
• Momentum, frequent participation, is crucial to
  growth in faith and understanding. Therefore
  regular attendance needs to be a family priority
• If a teen misses a session, not only do they miss
  out, but it negatively affects their small group
  as well.

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The Confirmation Program Needs Volunteers

• How can you help?
• Become a facilitator
• Office Help
• Set Up before Sunday sessions
• Help deliver luggage to retreat center on Oct 9!
• Audio Visual help during sessions
• Please see a member of the Confirmation team
  after the meeting if you are interested

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What if I do not have a sponsor committed to my
  teen by November 16 for the Rite of Welcome?
  Parents may stand in for sponsors during a rite,
  but are asked to find a sponsor no later than
  Level 1 Discernment Interviews in April
• What if I cannot find a sponsor? Email the
  Confirmation office at confirmation_at_saintkateripar
  ish.org and we will find someone in the parish to
  match with your teen
• Can I request that my teen be placed with a
  friend in their small group? Yes, there will be a
  space to request up to 2 friends (can usually
  guarantee at least 1) on the registration form.
  Your friends request must match up with your own
  friends request. Please use honest discretion
  when deciding to request a friend in your teens
  small group. Only request a friend if you truly
  believe it will help your teen experience
  transformation on this Confirmation Preparation
  journey. Do not request one if that relationship
  will be a distraction or cause for your teen to
  not bond with others in their small group. We
  will provide ample time and fun opportunities at
  the beginning of Level 1 (especially on retreat)
  for small groups to get to know each other.

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FAQs contd

• Are teens expected to attend Sunday 530 Mass?
  Yes, attendance at the Sunday 530 Mass is part
  of the regular Confirmation session. We also
  encourage our Confirmation families to sit with
  their teens small group to help build community
  the other families, their facilitator and their
  peer leader. Weekly Mass attendance is expected
  for preparation of the Confirmation Sacrament. On
  the weeks your teen does not have Confirmation,
  they can attend any of the 6 Masses we offer. Of
  course, we highly encourage teens to attend the
  Saturday 530 Youth Mass (and Life Teen right
  after!)
• What are some other ways to fulfill the Parish
  Life Service experiences? Some examples of
  Parish Life Service are serving at mass as an
  usher/bringing up the gifts/greeting, attending a
  session of a Life Teen bible study, trying out
  the choir or band at Mass, helping decorate the
  sanctuary with our Environment ministry,
  assisting as a peer leader in training during a
  Monday night Jr. High Edge volunteer, assisting
  in an elementary or Little Church RE classroom,
  serving at Sunday Hospitality, helping in the
  Gift Shoppe, helping with Health Ministry blood
  drive, helping the Respect Life ministry. There
  is link to a list of ministries they can serve in
  year round on our website under the Parish Life
  Service Tab. Your teen can even start Parish
  Life over the summer!

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FAQs contd

• What if I am unable to afford the 300
  registration fee right now? We do have payment
  options. Please email the office at
  confirmation_at_saintkateriparish.org to request a
  payment form. If you are in financial hardship,
  please email confirmation_at_saintkateriparish.org
  to see if we can assist with partial sponsorship.
• What if my teen misses a session? Can they make
  it up? If a teen misses 2 or less sessions, the
  make-up can be done at home with a parent of
  sponsor by completing the Watch It section and
  a Challenge of the Week and turning it in to
  their facilitator. If a teen misses more than 2,
  we ask that they set up a time for they and their
  parent or sponsor to meet with the Youth
  Director.
• What if my teen needs to leave early? When there
  is an occasional conflict, a parent may retrieve
  their teen early from the session. However, a
  parent must email the facilitator or send a note
  with their teen letting them know when their teen
  will be picked up. If a parent is retrieving
  their teen from a Confirmation session early,
  they must do so before Mass begins at 530 so our
  volunteers do not miss Mass waiting for
  you/providing supervision.
• What if we discontinue during the year, do we get
  a refund? If the Confirmation office is notified
  at least 3 weeks before the retreat, we can
  refund 200.

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FAQs contd

• How many sessions can my teen miss and still
  remain in the program? This question would need
  to be answered on a case by case basis. Humans
  get sick, grandmas turn 100 and teams earn their
  way to national championships. In other words,
  there are certain events in life that are
  unavoidable or so special that one must not miss
  them. When important events like these conflict
  with a meeting time, we ask that you just let
  your teens facilitator know. If a teen misses a
  session and we have not heard from them, we will
  follow up to make sure all is well. If a teen
  misses more than that, we will also follow up and
  try to help your family discern if the
  Confirmation preparation we are offering is able
  to meet the needs of your teen and family
  schedules. If your teen will be committing to
  something during the 2015-2016 year that will
  frequently conflict with the scheduled meetings,
  we ask you to either wait to start the
  preparation process another year or look into the
  Confirmation processes offered at the other
  parishes in our area.

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• What if my teen has to miss part or all of the
  retreat? Teens need to attend the whole retreat.
  Arriving late, leaving early or missing a portion
  diminishes the experience for your teen and the
  others in their small group. If you already know
  your teen will not be able to attend the retreat
  or might need to leave early, please let us know
  right away. We will do our best to work it out,
  however, we may have to ask you to reconsider
  registering for Level 1 this year.
• What if my teen has special needs? If your teen
  has special needs, please be sure to indicate it
  on the registration form. Additionally, please
  call, email or speak to us in person to bring
  your teens needs to our attention. We do adapt
  to the needs of the individual teen and the more
  communication that can happen between the
  Confirmation team and parents, the better we can
  serve them.

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FAQs contd

• What sort of formation or experience do you
  require of the facilitators and peer leaders? All
  of our facilitators and peer leaders are
  volunteers. All adult volunteers are
  fingerprinted and Virtus trained. We are very
  excited to share that we are now able to provide
  more in-depth training experiences for our
  facilitators and peer leaders over this spring
  and summer in leading small groups and helping
  others along in their discipleship journey that
  is geared specifically toward helping teenagers.
  We will also meet with our facilitators and peer
  leaders once a month during the school year to
  touch base on how their small group sessions are
  going and provide additional formation.

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Registration

• Opens Wednesday, May 13 by end of day (6pm)
• Cost is 300.00 all materials and level 1
  retreat costs are included in registration fee
• 250 of the cost goes directly to retreat
  expenses
• Payment plans accepted!-email confirmation_at_saintka
  teriparish.org for a payment plan form
• Checks or money order accepted via mail. Cash,
  check, money order or credit accepted in the
  parish office

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Registration contd

• Items needed to gather BEFORE starting the online
  registration process
• Baptismal Certificate
• First Communion Certificate
• Emergency Contact information
• Health Insurance Information
• Print out a copy of the Level 1 Overview
  w/important dates (available on the Level 1 home
  page at www.skconfirmation.org) and make sure the
  SK Confirmation Prep program will work for your
  family before you register.
• Double check the date of the retreat Oct 9-11 to
  make sure your teen can attend

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How to register

• Go to our website www.skconfirmation.org
• Click on the REGISTRATION
• Click on the link for Level 1
• Enter registration access code SKCL1 (dont
  forget to enter this in the FIRST field)
• Enter registration information as prompted
• Click the box that says Save Information
• Then Click Submit Registration
• You will receive an email confirming submission
  of your online registration that includes
  instructions and links to the forms needed to
  complete your registration
• Follow instructions in the email, print the
  forms, sign them and return them to the St.
  Kateri parish office via mail or in person.

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Parish Mission

• To Hear Jesus call to be His Disciples
• To Give our lives entirely over to Jesus
• To Share in Jesus redemptive mission

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Thank you for attending

• Have a blessed evening