Confirmation Program
Here at St. James in Liberty, we begin our Confirmation Program late September/early October in the Youth's Sophomore (grade 10) year. We meet the 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings from 7-9 pm in Small Groups (7-10 teens) in especially committed Small Group Leaders homes. On the other Sunday evenings we try to have Large Group activities such as sand volleyball, retreats, meetings, and so on. Quite often we just have free nights. We confer the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of the Junior (grade 11) year.
May 27, 1997 was our actual date for Confirmation this year.
Texts We Use:
We follow the "Confirmed in a Faithful Community" which is put out by St. Mary's Press. Tom Zanzig is the Editor of the series. We also use "Catechism Cliff Sheets" put out by YOU! Magazine. Immediately prior to Confirmation we go through the "Life In The Spirit" booklets to help bring everything together. Sometimes the SG Leaders just want to do something different so they schedule a get together with another Small Group, have a special dinner, watch a film and have discussion, or so on. Sometimes a Youth wants to run the next meeting, following the course outline. This gives the teen a chance to see what goes into the preparation, and the SG Leader a bit of a break. We have nine different SG's currently, and for our 97-98 session we may have as many as sixteen, if we include our Encore program. We expect around 90 Youth in Confirmation, and another 40 in Encore.
Why The Small Group Approach?
Every other Sunday for the last year I have gone to my leader's house and with ten other people have learned about being Catholic and have deepened my understanding and faith. Well, after the year these people have become more than just people to me. They have become my family with God. We laugh together, we learn together, and we pray together. One year ago I would have said that I did not have anything in common with these people, but now I know that a big part of our lives is the same. We all live as Catholics. We all think the same way about the rosary and none of us eats meat on Friday during Lent. I am so glad that I have been part of such a good group. It has really helped in the Confirmation process!
-- K.P.
Introducing Our Confirmed Youth
Class of '97
Led by Ken Canning
Confirmed Youth Small Groups
Class of '97
Led by William and Debbie Bednar/Nancy Solomon
Members: Shawnda Gross, Amber Benson, Liz Bartels, Janet Boshcert,
Jennifer Boschert, Neil Bouhan, Paul Mooney, and Ben Milbourn
Led by Midge and Ed Weir
Members: Bill Riley, Joel Womach, Sarah Weir, John Brimer, Pam Rusch,
John Quigley, Marci Schembri, and Bobby Fischer
Led by Tracy and Dave Hartley
Members: Nicki Vendetti, Chris Chiarelli, Kristin Parish, Amanda Overstreet,
Kim Rooney, Lory Ellebracht, Aimee Dixon, Andrea Amador, Scott Taylor,
Luke Kramer, and Neale Orscheln
Led by Phil and Amy Chiarelli
Members: Mark Rodriguez, Sharon Mendiola, Lisa Streeter, Laura Dunn,
Brianne Classen, Andrea Rusch, and Jennifer Adams
Led by Chris and Rich Venditti
Members: Cari Lee Lakebrink, Ken Nelson, Kim Gibbs, Jenny Kenney, David Neff,
and Mike Camp
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
What if I don't like the Small Group I'm in?
We can switch you to another group if for any reason you are not comfortable with the one you are in.
What if I miss the starting date for some reason?
We try to be flexible. If you contact the Youth Office chances are we can figure something out. We want You!
Confirmation is almost here and I don't have enough Service Hours - or I haven't done my overnight retreat or something else - what can I do?
It is very easy to come up with Service Hours or find a retreat to slot you into. Obviously it is best to have it all taken care of well in advance of Confirmation, but if you're close and stuck - contact the Youth Office. We can figure something out very easily.
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Our Confirmation Service Hour Coordinator - Mona Meyers 781-0284. Please call her with questions regarding your hours. Also, please submit your hours to her. (Her mail slot is in the alley off of the Narthex. Forms are outside the Youth Office door.)
Please note: Confirmation Rehearsal is this May 18, 7 - 8:30 pm. Our actual Confirmaton Ceremony is May 27, 7pm.
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