VERY IMPORTANT PAGE
BECAUSE OF OUR UNIQUE REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE READ THROUGH THIS PROGRAM SUMMARY BEFORE REGISTERING YOUR TEEN.
2024-2025 OLPH Confirmation Preparation
Program Summary
Unique Weekly Program
Below are the 4 session types that will rotate each week (not necessarily in the same order each month).
We will have weekly communication with the candidate to make sure they know what is due. Details will be discussed with the candidates during their first gathered sessions.
Each week, the candidates will focus on one of 4 areas of their faith journey and sacramental preparation.
The "Gathered Sessions" will happen at a set date and time each month (based on the option you choose upon registration). The "Mass Participation" will be set for Masses on a specific weekend each month. The other 2 sessions ( Family/Sponsor Prayer and Solo Prayer) will have a weekly deadline, but can be completed at anytime during the assigned week.
GATHERED SESSIONS
A time to learn, question, dive into & discuss our Catholic faith & the significance of this amazing sacrament.
MASS PARTICIPATION
The Eucharist is the heart of who we are as Catholics. A Mass Reflection form will be given to help the teens participate with the mass & not just spectate.
FAMILY/SPONSOR
PRAYER
Having support in your faith journey is so important. Praying as a family at home, and praying with the sponsor can play a vital role in the life of the candidate. Instructions and a reflection form will be provided.
SOLO REFLECTION
Prayer is the foundation of our relationship with God. The candidates will explore methods, struggles, tips, & resources for their individual lives. Assignment/reflection from will be sent via text.
One-Time Requirements
Saturday Service/Retreat
Each candidate will be required to participate in one service retreat experience. There are four options.
1) Service Retreat -Dec. 7th, 2024. 8am-4pm
2) Service Retreat Jan. 25th, 2025. 8am-4pm
3) Youth Spectacular -Mar. 29th, 2025.
9am-9pm. (includes an extra $25 fee and includes lunch and dinner)
4) Inspiration Tour - Nov. 9th 2024.
9am-10pm at Fiesta Texas and an additional $70 w/out park pass and $40 with park pass. Money for meals is NOT included. While this does not have a service component, it fulfills this requirement.
Reconciliation Service
date TBD
Canon Law requires that the candidate receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation right before Confirmation. A Penance Service specifically for the Confirmation Candidates is usually held on a date closer to the end of the program. We will give you more information on this by November.
IMPORTANT NOTES
1 - An IN-PERSON Pre-Program Interview is required to register.
Since we have such limited time with the candidates in person, this is a VITAL part of our program.
It is about 15-20min with the teen. TEEN AND PARENTS MUST BOTH ATTEND! Make sure you pre-submit your baptismal certificate, and bring your medical release form with you to the interview.
Date selection for interview will be done in Step 4!
2 - In-Person Gathered Sessions.
SINCE THERE ARE ONLY 8 GATHERED SESSIONS IN THIS PREPARATION PROGRAM,
ONLY ONE ABSENCE IS PERMITTED. Please pay attention to the dates of the session options. Candidates cannot make up absences in other sessions.
3 - Missing Assignments and Tardies.
Any assignments not submitted will be considered a missing assignment.
3 missing assignments will be equivalent to one absence.
Teens who are late to their In-Person Gathered Sessions will be considered tardy.
3 Tardies will be equivalent to one absence.
4 - Mass participation must be in person at OLPH.
The Mass reflection form will be found in the Church foyer for candidates to pick-up before mass and complete. The completed mass form can then be dropped off in the basket at the end of mass.
It must be an OLPH Mass.
5 - Family/Sponsor Prayers.
The Family/Sponsor Prayer will be through a digital link sent to the candidate. The family prayer can be completed with any family member, and the Sponsor Prayer will be completed with their Confirmation Sponsor. In both cases, the form that has to be submitted after the prayer must be completed by the candidate, not the parent.
6 - Communication.
Technology can be a useful tool as well as a source of distraction and temptation. Either way, it is integrated into our daily functioning as a society, and learning to use this resource for faith development will be a great resource beyond their year of preparation.
Texts will be the primary way we stay connected to your teen, and through the Flocknote platform, they are able to stay connected to their Confirmation class on the weeks we do not meet in person. This allows for effective communication that protects their private contact information and stays within the Safe Environment guidelines of the archdiocese.
This will be done through their cell phone numbers (Youth Staff are the only people with access to this information), so special arrangements will be made for any teens who do not have a cell phone.
Since the links sent to the teens will give them communication access to the other teens in their classes, parent cell numbers or emails CANNOT be used in place of the teen's.
7 - Extra Sacramental Preparation.
If the candidate is in need of extra sacramental preparation (for 1st Communion and 1st Reconciliation), then they must register for Option C for Gather sessions. They will stay an extra hour after class to receive their extra preparation.
THANKS FOR CAREFULLY READING THROUGH ALL OF THE ABOVE INFO!
If you understand the summary above, we invite you to continue with the registration process by clicking the button below.
If you do not believe our program is best for your teen's Confirmation Preparation, we understand and will still be praying
for their journey toward receiving the Sacrament. Or, if you have more questions before you register, please feel free
to send us a message in the chat to setup a time to give you a call.