Office Of Youth And Young Adult Ministry

Office of Faith Formation Youth and Young Adult Ministry St. Joseph Parish 721 Chemeketa St. NE Salem OR 97301 (503)581-1623

Sacramental Preparation 2016-2017

The Sacraments of 1st Holy Communion and Confirmation are wonderful and exciting moments in our faith journey! Through these sacraments we are fully initiated into the Catholic Church, receive the Body and Blood of Christ, and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit which enable us to live out our faith to the fullest. With these awesome milestones in our journey comes great responsibility and these sacraments should not be taken lightly. Our sacramental preparation program is open to youth in grades 7-12. It is important to remember that faith formation is a life-long commitment*. Listed below are the expectations of the youth and parents. Please read through the expectations carefully. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me, my contact information is listed below. *All youth must be able to recite Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Act of Contrition as well as list the Seven Sacraments and Ten Commandments before entering into sacramental preparation for 1st Communion and/or Confirmation. In addition to knowledge of basic prayers, youth must be actively involved in the life of the parish (weekly commitment outside of Mass) at least one year prior to entering sacramental preparation. Please note that youth must be in 9th grade or higher to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

******************************************************************* There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less. - Kurt Hahn Office of Faith Formation Youth and Young Adult Ministry St. Joseph Parish 721 Chemeketa St. NE Salem OR 97301 (503)581-1623

Active involvement in the life of the parish

Regular Mass attendance (meaning every week) on Sunday (or Saturday Vigil) and Holy

Days of Obligation is something we are all called to, and in order for youth to gain a better understanding of the Mass, youth are expected to fully participate in the liturgy through responding and singing.

Those planning to receive the Sacraments of 1st Holy Communion and/or Confirmation are expected to be actively involved in the parish community at least one year prior to receiving the sacraments. Active involvement may include regular attendance (weekly commitment) of one of the following:

Sunday - High School Youth Gathering – 5:30pm - English

Sunday – 7-8 Grade Youth and High School Youth Gathering 11:30am – Spanish

Wednesday - High School Youth Night or Bible Study 6:30pm – English

Wednesday – 7 and 8 Youth Night 6:30pm – English

Community service opportunities – pancake breakfasts, service projects, etc.

Teen catechist for Wed Night Faith Formation, RCIA, Children’s Liturgy of the

Word, etc.

Parish groups – Schoenstatt, choir, etc. Office of Faith Formation

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

St. Joseph Parish 721 Chemeketa St. NE Salem OR 97301 (503)581-1623

Sacramental Preparation After having completed one year of active involvement in the parish community and demonstrating knowledge of basic prayers, sacraments, commandments, and Bible stories, the following requirements need to be met in the second year of formation (dates correspond to those on track to receive sacraments Spring 2017 and subject to change): 1. Regular Mass attendance – The Mass is our ultimate prayer; the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith as Catholics; and this prayer unites us to the Body of Christ...WHAT A GIFT! As practicing Catholics we are expected to attend Mass every Sunday/Saturday Vigil and holy days of obligation; please note that attending Mass includes a willingness to contribute to the Eucharistic celebration by praying, listening, responding, and singing. All youth will have a Mass journal to keep up to date with the day and time they attended Mass, who the presider was, and one thing they learned at Mass 2. Monthly meetings with parents (sponsors will be expected to attend periodically but always welcome) – 1st Sunday of the month at 1:30pm (Eng) or 3:30pm (Bilingual) – Oct, Nov, Dec, Feb, March, and April – please note that one of the monthly sessions is on Saturday 11:30am-3:30pm (November). 3. Readings and reflections – all youth will receive a folder with short readings and expected to answer reflection questions with parents throughout the year to prepare for the monthly sessions. 4. Turn in copy of Baptismal certificate at time of registration. 5. Choose a sponsor – a sponsor is someone who will support you in living the Christian life and will pray with and for you. Please read the attached information regarding how to choose a sponsor and requirements of sponsors. Due Nov 5, 2016 6. Choose a Confirmation name - One of the traditional practices in the Church is choosing the name of a saint whom you feel is a good example for you or someone you admire. Please read the information regarding choosing a Confirmation name and turn in a brief essay/artistic portrayal about your saint and why you chose them to be your saint. Due Jan 2017. 7. Attend a retreat and 2 parish/vicariate events – what an amazing opportunity for participants to dig deeper into their faith lives and get to know one another a little better! (dates, available space, and costs are listed in packet). 8. Read Gospel of Mark – all Gospels present a good understanding of whom Jesus is and his invitation to faith. Please write a reflection on the Gospel of Mark. Due Feb 5, 2017 9. Written reflection on our call to service – service is part of our call as Catholic Christians, and service happens in a variety of ways a written reflection based on provided questions is due April 2, 2017 10. 2 Interviews with Youth Coordinator – all youth will sign up for a time to meet at the start and end of the school year with the Youth Coordinator and are expected to know: Creed, Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, basic Mass parts/responses, Lamb of God, and Biblical Covenants by the end of the year. 11. Letter to Archbishop Alexander Sample and Monsignor Huneger indicating desire to be confirmed – goal is to help Archbishop Sample and Monsignor Huneger get know a little about you as he prepares to celebrate the awesome sacrament of Confirmation. Due May 2017 12. Lastly, continued weekly involvement in parish life through one of the above mentioned activities required first year (e.g. continue to attend Wed High School Youth Night) is expected.