Commissions

Lifelong Faith Formation - Youth/Young Adult Ministry

Commissions
Lifelong Faith Formation - Human Concerns Social Justice

The Lifelong Faith Formation Commission’s role is to tie all the ministries and groups involved in Lifelong Faith Formation together, providing encouragement, vision, and direction to staff and leadership involved in these ministries. This year our focus is to encourage collaboration and creativity between groups and ministries. We also want to concentrate on “Whole Community Catechesis,” specifically geared to engaging adults (children learn their faith by experiencing it with their parents and other faith-filled adults).

The LFF Commission continues to invite those interested to become part of this vital ministry. Please call Chris Warner, 414-425-0146 for more information.

View the 2007-2008 Lifelong Faith Formation Handbook for details about each program, as well as policies and important dates.

In This Section

• Curriculum Sessions
• High School Youth Group
• Confirmation

Curriculum Sessions

This year we are continuing our program called Disciple Ways for our Freshmen and Sophomores. Disciple Ways is a resource that nurtures both an understanding of the Catholic faith and an experience of living the Catholic faith. The design of the program reflects key elements of Catholic identity in both its content and structure. It is developed around key themes of The Catechism of the Catholic Church. In addition, Disciple Ways also empowers teens with the skills to live their Catholic faith today. The program utilizes four different approaches.

In the Teaching approach, teens will explore key themes of the Catholic faith that include the sacramental life of the Church, the cycle of the liturgical year, the rich store of Catholic social teachings and the support received in being a part of a caring Christian community. Bill Johnson will return in November to speak on Parent/Teen Communication.

The Service approach engages teens in living out the Gospel call to service through concrete action projects. This year’s service projects include St. Ben’s, Food Drive, Mission Trip and the Haiti Parish Connection Project.

The Prayer and Worship approach provides opportunities for teens to experience a variety of prayer experiences and to develop their own prayer life. A mini-retreat presented by the National Evangelization Team is also part of the program.

Through the Community approach, teens will discover the value of belonging to a caring Christian community through social events and activities offered throughout the school year. Lifelong Faith Formation sessions are required of all students attending public high school as a prerequisite for Confirmation in the 11th or 12th grade.

High School Youth Group

The St. Mary High School Youth Group is an organization for all public and private high school teens (freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors). Their mission is to create and participate in faith-filled, fun-filled service and social events. For the past five years, this group has participated in a summer mission trip to Pine Ridge Reservation. Our desire is to expand on this experience and invite all high school youths to experience fellowship and faith among their peers.

Watch the bulletin and web site for upcoming meetings and events.

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation:

• welcomes us and deepens our belonging to the faith community
• deepens our relationship to God, as Creator, Redeemer and Spirit
• strengthens us as disciples

In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, young people are given the opportunity to express their decision to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at age 16 and a junior in high school. Making this faith commitment is an important step in each person’s life and should be an informed decision based on knowledge of the Catholic faith, the depth of one’s faith development, the degree of one’s commitment to Jesus and to our faith community.

Anyone wishing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation is expected to fulfill the following requirements:

1. active membership in the parish community
2. minimum age of 16 and a junior in high school
3. participation in the preparation program, including educational, retreat and service components.

Confirmation preparation provides an opportunity for growth in knowledge, which hopefully will lead to growth in faith as well.

Sessions begin in November with the Sacrament being celebrated October of 2007. Confirmation candidates, sponsors and parents will receive a separate handbook and schedule.

If you are an adult seeking confirmation, please see our Adult & Family Ministry Information

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