Youth Faith Formation

Anyone that will be in grades 6-12 this coming school year is welcome to come. Youth Ministry helps prepare for Confirmation but is not just a Confirmation prep program. Remember, your faith journey and education do not end with the receiving of the sacrament.
 

We will be offering many program options. On-Line and In-Person

• You can do both online and in-person at the same time

• Both programs will provide individuals hours for Confirmation.

Online Diocesan Program:  https://www.diokzoo.org/theway 

• Do this program at your own pace.

• Go to the website above.

• Click the lesson you want to do.

• Watch the videos.

• Find the grade that is appropriate. 9th-12th grade Candidates use the 8th-grade module.

• At the end of each session are questions. Write an answer to 4 of the questions listed.

• Turn those into Philip Dezern and you will get 1 hour of credit towards Confirmation, per session of questions you complete. You can email or mail these to Philip Dezern.

• You can turn these in after each session, monthly, or after all sessions are completed. 

• Please put your name top of the sheet and the grade you are in, as well as the session topic.

In-Person Program:  Check the bulletin for dates for activities

• View our Calendar of Events below, or download the PDF file below, for a list of upcoming events and activities.

• You will register with Philip Dezern by email, phone call, or text per session.

• Masks are required for all in-person activities.

Youth Faith Formation Calendar


SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR GRADES 6-12

• Please RSVP with Philip. There are limited spots – Scholarships are available for all activities

• ( ) Designates Confirmation Credit

• 6:00-7:15 pm Held in Chapel at St. Catherine Church
• NO RSVP NEEDED

• We will use the readings for the upcoming week to reflect on our lives and relationship with God.
• 1.25 hours per session for those using this for Confirmation Credit

• 8:15-9:15 pm Held at Culvers in Portage – FOOD IS PAID FOR
• Please RSVP with Philip ONLY 8 SPOTS PER SESSION
• 1 hour per session for those using this for Confirmation Credit
• We will look at spiritual writing, discuss their themes and how they relate to your life. Be ready to talk deeply about your faith while eating some food!

• Please RSVP with Philip. There are limited spots – Scholarships are available for all retreats

• ( ) Designates how many hours provided for those using this for Confirmation Credit

• Held in Stanley Centre at St. Catherine Church
• Please RSVP with Philip for your sessions

• We will learn theology, do some trivia, play some games, and share about our faith in God.
• 1.5 hours per session for those using this for Confirmation Credit
• If two times are offered pick one of the two                                

April 10, 2022 @ 6:15-7:30 pm                                        April 24, 2022 @ 3:30-4:45 & 6:15-7:30 pm                 
May 1, 2022 @ 6:15-7:30 pm                                           May 22, 2022@ 3:30-4:45 & 6:15-7:30 pm                  
June 12, 2022 @ 3:30-4:45 & 6:15-7:30 pm

CONFIRMATION CHECKLIST
First:       You must be 8^th grade or older.  You may begin Confirmation Preparation in 7^th grade
Second:  Per diocesan requirements, Confirmation is a minimum two-year program.  You are welcome to spread out your preparation up to your Senior year of High School.
Third:     Meet the Minimum number of hours of formation programming. You must have 60 hours of youth ministry programming starting in 7^th grade. Feel free anytime to contact Philip about your hours.
Fourth: Turn in your Confirmation Record-Keeping Form by January 1 of the year you wish to be confirmed
Fifth:      You need to write the following papers and turn them into the Youth Ministry staff. 
Saints Paper:  Please write a paper over a Saint of your choosing.  We would like to know what this Saint means to you and how they provide an example for your faith.  This needs to be turned in by May of the year you wish to be confirmed.
Service Hours:  We ask that youth complete service hours because it is important that we serve our fellow people.  What we ask is that you do as many hours as you feel is appropriate.  Our goal is not that you get a certain set of hours.  Our goal and hope are that you learn from whatever service you provide to family, friends, community organizations, etc. We would ask that you turn in a minimum ½ page paper describing the service you have done since June of the year before you wish to be confirmed, what it taught you, and why it was important.  This needs to be turned in by May of the year you wish to be confirmed.
Letter to Bishop:  We ask that you write a letter to the Bishop that speaks to at least the following, however, please add other things you feel are important for the Bishop to know.  Why do you want to be confirmed? How do you plan on living the faith after Confirmation? What does Catholic mean in your life? Who are you as a person? People ask about the length of the paper.  I would assume that to answer these and to let the Bishop know about you it might take a page or more.  However, we are looking for quality, not quantity.  If it takes longer than a page great, if less great.  It is what you say, not the length in which you say it.  This needs to be turned in by May of the year you wish to be confirmed.
Sixth:      Make a meeting time with one of the priests to discuss your readiness for Confirmation.
Seventh: Keep attending and participating in youth ministry and Church after Confirmation.  This is not a graduation.  This is not the ending.  This is a continuation of your faith journey.  You take a vow to live the faith, to participate in Church, to continue learning, and to live your baptismal vows.  Do not let the vow you take on Confirmation be an empty promise.