This Monday evening, we begin the home stretch to Confirmation…about 6 weeks away. This immediate preparation can be a great opportunity to impress upon the young people an appreciation and awareness of the great grace of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Uppermost in my mind is helping them to see that Confirmation is not the end of their religious formation. Too often, it is seen as “graduation” from the Church. I hope to emphasize that, through the Sacraments of Initiation, we enter into a way of life that brings us into an intimate relationship with Jesus. We don’t graduate from relationships! Please pray for me and for Patti (my co-catechist) and for our young people.
What prayers related to your ministry in the days and weeks ahead do you request from your fellow catechists?
I teach and coordinate a 7th grade RE program and our students are just beginning to think about Confirmation. In preparation for their service work, we are hosting a panel presentation during this week’s classes entitled “Working for the Kingdom”: Volunteer Leaders Showcase Service Ministries.
Five speakers have generously agreed to witness to their work in service ministries which we hope will engage our students in action as well. The ministries range from a medical mission in Haiti, the youth group Kairos Retreat and peer ministry, an Amate House volunteer who works in a food pantry and an newly formed foundation to benefit the orphans of Ayacucho, Peru. Please pray for our speakers, many of whom are witnessing to their work for the first time.
Recently I learned that one of the 6 tasks of catechesis as stated in the General Directory for Catechesis is to foster the missionary spirit of the faithful. Pray with me, that this program may foster the missionary spirit of our 7th grade students and claim them for the work of Christ. Amen.
Regina, what an excellent program! Personal witness is so much more powerful than simply reading about someone’s experiences. Let us know how it turns out.