Living out your Faith at home:
As parents and guardians of your children, you are their first and most important teachers! Family has a very heavy impact on our youth, so we look to you to set the example for your children as a model of the Catholic faith. It is essential that you and your children attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation together. It is also extremely important that you find time to pray with and for your children during this time. They will be learning a lot this year, but they will need your help and support to practice and live their faith as they receive their sacraments at the end of the process. If you need help or want some resources, please let us know!
Classes:
This year's classes are going to be a bit different! Instead of having separate sacramental preparation classes, all those preparing for sacraments will attend either EDGE or Life Teen night every other week (depending on their age). We believe that conversion begins with an encounter with Jesus Christ. We want all those entering into communion with the Church to understand that they are part of a greater community that is bound in the love of Christ. These classes are MANDATORY. If a night is missed due to sickness, or other important circumstances, please inform Maria ahead of time when possible. If a child misses more than 4 classes, they will need to do a makeup workday.
Sponsors:
Raising a child takes a village, and as the main caregiver of your child you know how true that is. We can always use help to guide our children. That is where your child’s sponsor comes in. A sponsor is a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church who will act as a role model and guide for the person they are sponsoring. This role is essential to the growth and faith of each person receiving their sacraments. When picking a sponsor, your child will want someone they can feel connected to, and trust. We encourage you to allow them to choose their sponsor on their own if possible.
If your sponsor lives out of state that is ok! As long as they meet the correct requirements and keep in contact with the person they’re sponsoring they can still be a sponsor.
If you are struggling to find a sponsor, please contact Maria to help find one!
Sponsor Nights:
We will have 3 sponsor night second semester to help provide a space for discussion between sponsor and candidates. This is a great opportunity for bonding and preparation for the specific sacraments each child will receive. If your child’s sponsor cannot attend, a parent must attend in their place.
Saints:
Just as we have an earthly model and guide in our sponsors, we have those in heaven looking out for us. Picking a confirmation saint is picking a spiritual guide to be with you the rest of your life. This is a saint who your teens connect to on some level, and someone who they can relate to in prayer. Next semester each candidate will be asked to write a Saint Introduction that summarizes who their saint is and why they chose them. More information will be given out during the semester, but they should start thinking of their saint now!
Retreat Experience:
It is a requirement of the Diocese of Phoenix that anyone receiving Confirmation needs to attend a retreat. Although this is technically a requirement, it is where we see the greatest experiences during our Sacramental preparation program. Retreat is a beautiful way to grow in relationship with Christ and our community. Dates for retreat have not been planned yet, but we hope to provide those as soon as we reopen.
Important Dates and Deadlines:
See Life Teen and EDGE Calendars for meeting dates.
Edge meets every other week on Wednesdays 5:30pm-7pm
Life Teen Meets Sundays 12:00pm-1:30pm
Parent and Sponsor Meetings will be sent out in August! Here is what to expect:
September 7th: Parent meeting
October 25th: Sponsor night 1
December 10: First Reconciliation
February 7th: Sponsor night 2
April 4th: Sponsor night 3
APRIL/MAY (TBD): Sacramental Masses