High School Religious Education Program
We invite you to join us for another year of spiritual growth, fun, learning, praise, worship, and community.
We want you to “Expand your Knowledge”, through teaching, study, Scripture, and discussion; “Increase your Faith”, through prayer, faith sharing, and the sacraments; and “Grow in Love”, by service to others in your families, church, and community.
Sunday Sessions:
Generally begin the third Sunday in September and finish the third Sunday in May. Teens should be committed to attending classes.
All teens will meet in their classroom at 9:00am and then attend the 10:30am Mass together with your families.
Teens are also expected to attend regular weekend Mass with their families.
Attendance
All teens will be allowed ONE excused absence per semester. If a teen has more than one absence per semester we monitor all absences and questions will be asked. Absences due to sports are not acceptable, if this will be an issue, or you have special circumstances warranting an extended absence from the program please talk with Deacon Chuck. If you are unable to attend a session, notification must be given to Diane Winkowski at dianew@stmoftours.org.
Ministry of Service Hours Commitment
Since service comes from your own individual talents, challenge yourself to identify your talents and use them to serve others as best you can. You will learn more at our first session.
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION PROGRAM
Our Confirmation Preparation Program’s mission is to provide a foundation of faith for you to grow in your faith, be part of strong community believers, and establish a closer relationship with Christ.
Our program includes the following subjects: Knowledge of Our Faith; Understanding of the Meaning of the Liturgy (Mass); Knowledge of the Sacraments; Prayer and Scripture; Catholic Morals and Ethics; Being in Community; and Discipleship in Society.
In addition, high school juniors (or seniors) who are looking forward to the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation May 25, 2024 will have additional commitments.
Additional Confirmation Requriements
Participation in Confirmation Preparation Program: All Confirmation Candidates are expected to attend all sessions, which will further develop key Catechesis teachings. We know parents of our teens are actively doing their part in their teens’ faith formation by encouraging them to regularly attend Mass, be involved in service to the community, and participate in the Confirmation Preparation Program. Ultimately, the decision to be confirmed rests with each teen, presuming he or she has faithfully completed the Confirmation Preparation Program.
Baptismal Certificate: All Candidates for Confirmation need to submit a certified copy of their Baptismal Certificate to the parish office.
Confirmation Name: Each candidate for confirmation should carefully consider the choice of a Confirmation name, which is often taken from the name of a Catholic saint. It is important for candidates to take time to learn about the life of the saint whose name he or she has chosen and find in the saint’s life examples of Christian virtues. NOTE: The Bishop will spend several minutes speaking to each student about his or her choice of a Confirmation name and about the eponymous saint’s life.
Confirmation Sponsor: The Church requires the sponsor be chosen by the candidate and be at least 16 years old. The sponsor needs to be a confirmed Catholic, having received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist). The sponsor should lead a life in harmony with the faith - that is to say, the sponsor should be faithful to Sunday Mass, and, if married, be married in the church. The sponsor can be neither the father nor mother of the candidate who is to be confirmed. Other considerations that, while not part of Church law, should be taken in account: is the sponsor someone that the candidate looks up to and is the sponsor open to sharing his or her own faith life and willing to challenge the candidate to grow in faith?
Confirmation Retreat: The Archdiocese REQUIRES all candidates for Confirmation to attend a Confirmation Retreat. Our retreat is not yet scheduled, all participants will be informed as soon as it is or watch the parish calendar for updates. It is best if our candidates attend this retreat together, but if an individual candidate cannot attend the retreat as scheduled, it is REQUIRED the parish office be contacted as soon as possible, so arrangements can be made for another retreat.
Attendance at Confirmation Mass and Rehearsal: If a candidate is unable to make the scheduled Confirmation date, the candidate’s parents should contact the parish office immediately. Rehearsal is held the Friday before, in 2024 it will be May 24 at 6pm. Rehearsal attendance should be the candidate and sponsor or parent if sponsor if unavailable.
Forms for the 2023/2024 year