updated: 6/3/2009
REQUIREMENTS
CALENDAR
1ST YEAR
2ND YEAR
MAKEUP WORK
FOOTPRINTS
LOAVES central core is it’s home groups. The teens will have the chance to select 4 friends on their registration form and will be guaranteed to be placed in a group with at least 1 of those people. This is so that the teens know some people in the group as it starts and yet are mixed with some new people they may not know at all. This forming of groups takes place prior to the first year of the program. After those groups are formed, the teens will remain in those faith sharing groups and meet in the facilitators’ homes 6 times during each of the 2 years of the program.
The group sessions will not be like school. There will be a topic of importance, however, the adult facilitators will relate the Catholic teachings, share from their own experiences (showing how God has met them in their own daily lives), and then offer activities, discussion, ritual experiences, a variety of prayer experiences, and personal sharing opportunities for the teens to learn from each other and to discover God in their own lives by reflecting on their lives in these safe, small (10-15 teens per group) groups.
The teens may be given a journal by their facilitators to reflect in during the sessions, and may be asked to reflect on sessions and experiences outside of class. These journals will be a great resource to look back upon together as a family and for the candidates to chart their spiritual growth in their preparation for celebrating the sacrament of Confirmation in September (after the 2nd year of the program).
These groups, again, meet 6 times per year of the program.
Along with the 6 home group sessions at the facilitators’ homes per year, the teens will also gather 3 times per year at Holy Cross as a large group in the Community Room (food will be provided). This gathers all the confirmation candidates together. They can see that they are not alone on this journey. They make this decision as individuals, but as individuals who are part of a larger, communal YES! The sessions are led by the Youth Minister and the team of Peer Ministers (older High School Leaders) involving dramas, small group discussions, multimedia presentations, music and central ritual experiences. For most of the sessions, pizza, pop and water will be provided.
So, each year there are 9 sessions in groups. 6 in the homes with the smaller communities. And 3 sessions at Holy Cross each year with all the confirmation candidates from their year in the program.
As disciples of Christ we are called to be Eucharist to the world, to serve. We must take up the basin and the towel and wash the feet of those in need around us. As a part of the LOAVES confirmation program. We ask the teens to get involved in service. 6 points over the two years. All 6 service points must be fulfilled by the end of the candidates’ 2nd year in the program. Candidates will be given an ID Number which they can use to go on the YM Website to check their service points, missed sessions, and make-up work status.
The candidates who are involved in service outside of Holy Cross are welcome to count those experiences towards fulfilling the requirements. This requirement is designed to be flexible and not to be too demanding. We simply desire for the candidates to experience what it is to serve and what God does in our hearts when we reach out and love one another, especially the poor.
If you already are involved in service and would like that to count towards the LOAVES service requirements simply contact the Youth Ministry Office with that information. Email works best.
The Youth Ministry Office offers local contacts to complete your service with (Fall-Spring). For the most part, most teens will complete the service on their own or with their small groups. For that reason, on the LOAVES service page on the Youth Ministry Website, you will find contact information as well as dates of service with local organizations. Call them and set up service experiences with them on your own.
There will be 1 service experience per month offered by Holy Cross Youth Ministry from October through April. The only way to be made aware of these experiences is to check on the SAND Youth Ministry Website or to check your email account regularly for updates and news from the Youth Ministry Office.
In fact, we recommend that parents and their teens go out as families to get involved in service. Even the service events sponsored by Holy Cross Youth Ministry require the attendance of parents as chaperones and ask for parents to drive their teens. All adult volunteers must attend a VIRTUS training and complete all required Volunteer documentation. This information can be found on the Youth Ministry Website under the Link entitled, “VOLUNTEERS.”
As a candidate, during your 2nd year in the Program, for Confirmation each of the LOAVES candidates are required to attend the weekend-long FOOTPRINTS confirmation retreat. The retreat is offered 2 times per year and led by the older high school peer ministers and a group of dedicated adults.
Parents, we ask you to consider being a team leader for these retreats. It is a fantastic way to get involved with your candidate’s faith journey during the 2 years in the LOAVES Confirmation Program.
© 2009. Holy Cross SAND Youth Ministry.