Missionary Discipleship Formation & the Sacrament of Confirmation

High School, Grades 9-12

Confirmation Preparation Curriculum:

Our Missionary Discipleship program is designed to empower our teens to live out their call to discipleship in the everyday world. We have a two year curriculum that, if fully engaged in, will help to open them up to receiving the Holy Spirit via the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Spring of the second year. In brief, the two year program consists of the following:

Year 1 (typically 9th Grade): Chosen Confirmation Program, Year 1. Produced by Ascension Press, the Chosen Confirmation Program presents the Gospel and the Catholic Faith in a way that engages young people to really make their faith their own. Along with video presentations, each session will incorporate small group discussions, prayer, and scripture to wrestle with life’s biggest questions and grow a vibrant relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Year 2 (10th Grade and up): Chosen Confirmation Program by Ascension. As we transition into this new chapter of life, what does it mean to be confirmed? After going through the Alpha Youth Series in the previous year, Chosen builds upon the truths laid out there and brings it into the light of Catholic Teaching. What or, more accurately, Who are we receiving in the sacrament of confirmation? The Chosen Confirmation Program dives deep into the Church’s wisdom and creates a space for candidates to really take ownership of their faith through small group discussion, scripture, and prayer. The celebration of Confirmation for this year’s group is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:00am at the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis.

Retreat or Immersion Experience: All youth in our program are asked to participate in a retreat, pilgrimage, or mission trip prior to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Along with this, we ask that they participate in a High School Faith Formation service project, as well as serving the parish in some capacity (parish service project, serving at mass, etc.). These are designed with the intent of giving the participants a deeper experience of living out their discipleship. These opportunities will be communicated to students in our faith formation classes and parents via Flocknote periodically.

2022-23 Program Options and Dates:

Sunday Evenings from 6:30-8:00pm
Parent-Teen Orientation: September 25
Fall Sessions:  October 2, 9, 16, 30, November 6, 13, 20
Winter Sessions:  December 4, 11, 18, January 8, 22, 29, February 5, 26
Spring Sessions:  March 5, 12 April 16, 23, 30 May 7, 21 (May sessions are for Confirmation candidates only)

Online/At-Home Option
We recognize that for a variety of reasons, a traditional onsite formation experience is not possible for some teens, so we do make an at-home option available. Materials will be made available on a schedule that mirrors the Sunday evening program schedule. The opportunity to have regular gatherings via Zoom will be made available if we have adults willing to volunteer for that role.

Family Support:

Weekly family reminders will be e-mailed, along with links to suggested online videos and supplemental curriculum.    

Communication:

Flocknote will be the primary mode of communication for all participants. You will receive these communications via e-mail. This will be the mode of communication used to communicate class cancelations, such as weather related closings, etc.

Formation of Groups:

Groups will be formed based on space capacity for social distancing and the number of available adults serving as small group leaders. Small group leaders will need to be recruited and trained and will receive a leader guide along with on-going weekly support.  

Needs:

Adult leaders (2 per group). All families that provide a small group leader or catechist for one of our programs will receive a full tuition break for the entire family.