Don’s Talk

Journey of Faith – A Continuum

 

Thank you, Aimee.

 

Reverend Father(s), Deacon Jim, members of the ROC, we parents and guardians, and my young brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

 

We are gathered this afternoon not to look at the beginning of the end, rather, to look at the end of the beginning

 

The Sacrament of Confirmation is a challenging moment in the lives of our youth. A time for determining if they are ready, willing, and able to accept the responsibility for the promises made on their behalf at Baptism by their godparents and parents; and if they can accept the challenge of Holy Mother Church to evangelize for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Miss Vasile reminds us we are the primary educators of our children. For us, this is a time of serious reflection to discern if our daughters and sons are ready for the conclusion of their Initiation into the Roman Catholic Church and begin their full participation with her.

 

In this discernment, we must look at our own commitment …. we must ask are we ready to encourage, support and affirm our children in the Confirmation process.

 

Perhaps this is not the time for your daughter or son to enter this phase of their Journey in Faith.  If so, I pray the decision is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and not for “druther” reasons.

You my young brothers and sisters in Christ. Your task is as monumental as your parents or guardians.  Do not sell yourself short by using every excuse in the book to convince your parents or guardians you are not ready. Let this be a time of prayful discernment for you. The road may be narrow and rock strewn, but the rewards are so very vast.

 

This year you will have 18 teens from our Youth Program, Life Teen, assisting you through the Confirmation process.

 

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Football players, cheerleaders, basketball and volley ball players, swimmers and track and field participants. Some are involved in drama …. some in music …. some are just plain groovy. Some attend Gibbs School of the Arts, others involved in baccalaureate programs, others taking AP classes and attend classes at SPC. A few hold down part-time jobs as well. Busy? Yes, I say they are.

 

LOC’s Young Adults are represented as well. Two young ladies are members of the ROC Team.

 

Your ROC Team is blessed with a fantastic pastor, Father Jacob, a Parochial Vicar, Father Kuzmann, our Deacon, the parish Business Manager, RCIA Director, Director of Religious Education, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Coordinator of Young Adults, a Life Teen Core Member, and two long-term catechists.

 

And I, I am humbled to be numbered among such Christians as these, adults and teens alike.

 

The common thread running through all these catechists is their devotion to Jesus Christ. They accepted His call to the ROC Team with an awesome cry: “We will find the time to do it!” Amen!

 

My young brothers and sisters in Christ, you are blessed with a parish community that deeply cares for you. A community that wants you to be Ready, Willing, and Able to accepted the Holy Spirit‘s call to evangelization. Amen!

 

Before delving into the details of our Rite of Confirmation Program, we will take a short break beginning again at the sound of the bell. During the break, please pickup your teen’s registration packet from the tables in the rear of room 3. That would be w-a-y over there. If you do not find one, please talk to one of the ROC Members at the table. Restrooms are across the hall from room 2. Refreshments are in the back of room 1.

 

B-R-E-A-K

 

The 5 Ws and a H

 

Before playing, “What’s in the Envelope!” a few points need to be discussed to insure we all are on the same page.

 

1. The source and summit of Catholicism as well as its focal point is The Eucharist . . . . the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present under the appearance of bread and wine. Everything we do . . . . everything we say . . . . all our thoughts, words, and actions revolve around the Eucharist. AMEN.

 

2. Confidentiality. Even though this is a religious education class, The ROC Team will observe the Youth Ministry (Life Teen) rules of confidentiality. Basically, what is told to us, stays with us whether a teen or a parent/guardian tells it.

 

3. If you are in disagreement with any ROC Policies or ROC Members, please bring the issue or issues to me for corrective action. If not me, then to Neil Kennedy, William Woodard, or any of our priests or deacon.

 

4. If you have a problem meeting any of the ROC Requirements, please tell me so we can resolve the problem.

 

5. Web Site . . . . we have one. It is accessible through www.loclifeteen.org. For you internet savvy dudes and dudettes, it will not take much for you to figure out the URL. If you do, please continue to visit the Life Teen site.

 

6. And, a question or two.

 

Ø      Why so few classes?

Before answering this question, please take the papers out of the registration packed.

 

Sheet 1 gives the contents of the packet. Notice the handouts are divided into two groups. Those above the rock line are forms to be completed and returned; those below, are for you to read and keep home.

 

Sheet 2 is the ROC Calendar for 2003 – 2004 showing 12 doctrinal sessions beginning December 3^rd and held on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays of each month through May of 2004. Please note every 4^th session ends with Adoration and Benediction. Parents/ Guardians and sponsors are encouraged to join us at 8 PM for this liturgy.

 

Now, “Why so few classes?” Because Light of Christ’s Youth Ministry program covers community service, community interaction, current religious and educational issues, social concerns, and just plain fun times. This program also conducts a fall and spring retreat as well as participating in the summer Steubenville High School Youth Conference and the National Catholic Youth Conference.

I cannot visualize why I would want to duplicate their effort . . . . I didn’t.

While I am on “don’t duplicate,” we (the ROC) will also use the services of RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) to train the sponsors/ faith-partners. More on this later.

 

Ø      “Does my teen have to attend Youth Ministry functions?”

Light of Christ expects high school students to participate in Sunday and Holyday Liturgies, and the Youth Ministry program. There are times where participation is not possible and such occasions are understandable. For a Confirmandi who is consistently absent from Youth Ministry events might question the sincerity of the Confirmandi’s resolve to complete his/her initiation into the Roman Catholic Church.

 

Ø      What if there are times my teen cannot attend a ROC Session?

With only 12 scheduled sessions, I would hope there would be no absences. Just in case, on the Thursday following each session, the session’s content is placed on the Light of Christ Confirmation Internet Site along with “make-up instructions.” If your teen does not have access to the Internet, call me to request a printed copy of the material which you pickup at the Religious Education office.

 

Now . . .  “What’s in the Envelope?”

 

Above the Rocks.

 

1.      Calendar. There is A Parish Mission during Lent conducted by our bishop, Bishop Lynch. All are encouraged to attend. The dates will be provided when known.

 

2.      Confirmandi Data Form

 

3.      Parent/Guardian Data Form

 

4.      Sponsor/Faith-Partner Data Form

 

5.      Sponsor/Faith-Partner Data Form

 

6.      Our “Baptismal Call”

 

7.      Acknowledgements and Agreements

 

Below the Rocks.

 

8.      ROC Team Roaster

 

9.      The Sacrament of Confirmation

 

10.   Confirmation Facts

 

11.   Parents for Life Information Letter

 

12.   True Beauty

 

Q U E S T I O N S ? ? ?

 

I believe the who, what, where, when, and why have been covered. Well, at least mentioned to some degree. What remains is the how . . . . Light of Christ’s Confirmation Process is a mixture of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Life Teen Life Night methodologies.

 

A  session begins with The Gathering; we assemble, pray, and get a sketch of what’s on tap for the night. Then comes The Proclaim, a doctrinal presentation by one or two ROC Team Member(s) with or without a skit. Then we Break. However, Break here means we gather into small groups to discuss various points of the presentation. Small group time is followed by coming together in a large group for queries/ summation. The evening concludes with The Sending. Every 4^th session ends with Adoration/Benediction; the other sessions conclude with a meditation, final prayer and blessing.

 

So, today our Sending is a meditation and blessing.

 

Let us gather in groups of two to four. Let no one be left alone. Setting close is encouraged . . . . placing a hand on another’s shoulder is OK . . . . mutually holding hands is also OK.

Gather now …. close your eyes . . . . take a deep breath and slowly let it out . . . . place yourself and your small group in the presence of Jesus . . . feel His presence . . . . welcome the Father who is with Him . . . . open your arms wide for the Holy Spirit . . . .

 

[ “Draw Me Close to You” by Vineyard]