Confirmation Ministry

2012-2013

At St. Barnabas Parish, youth are confirmed upon completion of the two-year Confirmation Ministry, in 10th grade or later. The Sacrament of Confirmation is needed “for the completion of baptismal grace” (Catechism, 1285) and signifies the commitment of an individual to live out, in a permanent way, their Catholic faith. Confirmation is a release of the Holy Spirit in our lives and gives us the grace to live the Christian life as well as become witnesses to Christ in the world. Knowledge about the Catholic faith and the experience of living as a committed Catholic Christian is crucial. Both ingredients – understanding and experience – are necessary before one is admitted to reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

For that reason, part of the requirement is a minimum of monthly involvement in St. Barnabas Life Teen Life Nights in the first year, and faithful attendance to monthly Confirmation Small Christian Communities the year of confirmation.

Small Christian Communities (SCC) are groups of 7-10 teens who meet monthly with two adult Confirmation Catechists. In these smaller gatherings, faith sharing and discipleship is much more likely to take root than in a large group format. Some SCCs meet in the homes of catechists, and some meet in the Life Teen Lounge.

Preparation For Reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation

Year 1

  • Active, weekly participation in Sunday liturgy
  • Completed eight years of PSR, Family Catechesis, or Catholic Grade School**
  • Register for St. Barnabas Life Teen
  • Parent(s) attend New Parent Night
  • Parent(s) attend winter All Parent Night
  • Teens attend Life Nights a minimum of once a month (offered weekly during the school year)
  • A minimum of two service projects (see “Service Projects”)

Year 2

  • Active, weekly participation in Sunday liturgy
  • Completed Year 1 of the Confirmation Ministry
  • Register for St. Barnabas Life Teen
  • Attend, with parent, Confirmandi & Parent Night
  • Parent(s) attend winter All Parent Night
  • Attend, with Sponsor, a Church Tour
  • Attend, with Sponsor, the Confirmandi & Sponsor Afternoon
  • Attend monthly Small Christian Communities, Sept-April
  • Participation in at least one St. Barnabas Life Teen retreat (this year or last year)
  • A minimum of two service projects (see “Service Projects”)
  • An interview with the Coordinator of Youth Ministry or other designee
  • Participation, with Sponsor, in the Confirmation Practice

**If you have not completed eight years of PSR, Family Catechesis, or Catholic Grade School, contact Francine to find out what additional catechesis may be necessary.

Service Projects

Our call as Catholic Christians is to strive to become more like Christ. One of the most important aspects of the life of Jesus was his compassion for others. Jesus cared deeply for the poor, the sick, and the outcast. In our efforts to live as good Christians we must do the same. With this in mind, service is an important part of the confirmation process. It is our hope that these service projects will not be one-time affairs, but rather will become a regular part of all of our lives.

Two different service projects are expected each year of the Confirmation Ministry. The project must last at least two hours (or be done multiple times, such as those who serve as ushers at 5:30pm Mass). A signed, written description of the service project is needed and the Service Project Description Forms are available on our website and in the Life Teen Lounge.

In Year 1 of the Confirmation Ministry, one service project must be done in service to the parish, and one must be done in service to the greater community.

In Year 2 of the Confirmation Ministry, one service project must be completed with your sponsor and one with your Small Christian Community.

 

2012-2013 Important Dates

  • Diocesan Youth Rally, Sunday, Sept. 16, 11:30am-9:45pm, St. Ignatius, Cleveland
  • Liturgy & Life Nights, Every Sunday, beginning Sept. 23, starting with Mass, 5:30-8:30pm, unless otherwise announced (includes dinner)
  • 2012 Fall Retreat, Nov. 9-11, 2012 at the St. Leonard Youth Retreat Center, Avon
  • Parish Mission, Jan. 13-16, 2013
  • 2013 Spring Retreat, March 15-17, 2013 at Hiram House, Chagrin Falls

Important Dates for Pre-Confirmandi (those in Year 1 of the Confirmation Ministry)

  • New Parent Night
  • Sunday, Sept. 23, starting with Mass, 5:30-8:30pm
  • All Parent Night
  • Thursday, Jan. 31, 7-8:30pm or Sunday, Feb. 10, starting with Mass, 5:30-8:30pm

Important Dates for Confirmandi  (those in Year 2 of the Confirmation Ministry)

  • Confirmandi & Parent Night, Sunday, Aug. 26 or Sept. 9, 5:30-8pm
  • Confirmandi & Sponsor Afternoon, Sunday, Oct. 7 or Oct. 28, 4-6:30pm, concluding with blessing at 5:30pm Mass
  • Church Tours, Wednesday, Jan. 2 or Thursday, Jan. 24, 7-8:30pm
  • All Parent Night, Thursday, Jan. 31, 7-8:30pm or Sunday, Feb. 10, starting with Mass, 5:30-8:30pm
  • Confirmation Practice, May 10, 2013, 7-8:30pm, church
  • Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation, May 11, 2013, 1pm. Confirmandi & Sponsors need to arrive by noon.

See Calendar page for full StBLT calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs to attend the retreats?
Those who have not yet attended a St. Barnabas Life Teen retreat (either last year or this year).

Why doesn’t my Catholic high school retreat count for confirmation?
It is important to gather with your parish community, not just your school community. While high school ends in four years, you will be a member of a parish (not necessarily the same one) your entire life. Engaging in your parish is vital to maintaining full, active, and conscious participation in your Catholic faith & identity. Retreats are the heart of our youth ministry. They are a chance to ‘retreat’ from the rest of the world and spend an entire weekend without homework, chores or other activities, just focusing on God, yourself, and the others on retreat with you.

Is attending one of the Church Tours mandatory?
Yes! It is a teaching tour. It’s not just about “Here is the Sacristy,” but rather about what happens in the different parts of the church – the theology and vocabulary of the church – and how we participate in that.

Why do the Confirmandi need to do a service project with their Small Christian Community?
Service together can help bond the group and enable deeper trust and sharing when they gather.

My sponsor lives out of town and can’t do a service project with me.
You have Thanksgiving break as well as Christmas break to get together with your sponsor. Try to see your sponsor at least once this year and plan a service project then.

When do the service projects need to be done?
The Service Project Description forms are due March 24, 2013.

What are some examples of service to the parish?
There are lots of ways you can serve St. Barnabas:

  • Help with the liturgies (server, usher, lector, singer, musician)
  • Help with PSR or Children’s Liturgy of the Word
  • Help with fundraisers for the St. Barnabas Life Teen, parish, or school
  • Help with the parish festival
  • Help with set-up/tear-down for parish events, like the Christ Renews His Parish retreats
  • Help with the Fall or Spring Clean-Up for the church grounds
  • Help as needed with clerical work for the rectory
  • Help as needed with clerical work for St. Barnabas Life Teen

Where can I find forms?
Download them off the forms page of our website.