Aftermath of restoring Confirmation order

[gracepoole]

My parish does family catechesis, though it’s optional. Unfortunately, though, I think the materials used are extremely weak and watered down. This is my biggest problem with all catechesis efforts currently. And perhaps since the 1970’s at least, since I also received 12 years of really watered down Catholic education.

 

[Charbel]

I should be a little more clear. It is $200 per family and if you have any children making a sacrament it is an additional $75 for each child. If you volunteer to help teach, you get a $50 discount off your family’s total. Our church has one head Youth Minister who is salaried and has a theology degree and a salaried assistant who in in charge of the younger grades.

 

[I_trust]

Q and A about restoring Confirmation order…
http://www.fargodiocese.org/files/pdf/confirmation/fargodio-confirmationfaq.pdf

7**. When our children are confirmed prior to First Eucharist, how are they to**
> make an adult commitment to the church?
All sacraments are a gift from our Heavenly Father, who desires to give us His very life,
which we call grace. Sacraments are not earned or merited. For this reason, Confirmation
should not be perceived as the sacrament of adult commitment to the Church. In fact, the
Church even requires priests to confirm infants and children younger than the age of reason
when they are in danger of death so that they may receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
An authentic mature commitment to Christ and the Church is expressed in full participation
in the Eucharistic and apostolic life of the Church. It is not achieved at a single moment but
throughout the life-long deepening of our intimacy with Christ. This begins in childhood and
continues until death. Given our fallen condition, we must make a commitment to Christ
every day.
6. Why should Confirmation be celebrated prior to First Eucharist?
Because this is the most ancient practice of the Church and it corresponds to a proper
understanding of Confirmation as the perfection of baptismal grace and preparation for the
reception of Christ in the Eucharist.
…
12. Does removing Confirmation from the context of a junior high or high
> school program miss an opportunity for a much-needed ministry to our
> youth at a time when they are looking for recognition and a sense of
> belonging?
The preparation for and celebration of Confirmation should not be used simply as a means
to an end, however noble. The parish is to develop a proper youth ministry which attends to
the spiritual needs of our youth and can be based upon a deepening of the sacramental
graces received in the sacraments of Christian initiation. Parents, being the first teachers of
their children, have the responsibility to educate their children throughout high school, in all
areas including the Faith. Parents are to keep their children in religious education programs
just as they keep their child in school until graduation.

 

[Ann_Stanton]

In my parish, religious education is held between the 9:15 Mass and the Noon Mass. It is for everyone in the parish. It does cost more money than I can afford. Many parents and students dislike the mandatory retreats (more money), extra service projects, and monthly “prep” classes in addition to the religious education programs. Time is important to these families. The parish offers Vacation Bible School for 3 year old through high school. Also, vacation service activities for middle and high school students. I would prefer the restored confirmation order.

 

[Blessedwithfive]

Blockquote

I love this statement from Fargo! You can’t imagine how many ADULTS I have to remind that WE CANNOT EARN a sacrament! They think their children are entitled to Confirmation because they have “checked all the boxes”.

I vote for restored order! And continued Religious Education.

 

[Wendy1989]

Sorry for the delay in my response. As to confirmation, yes, I am a bit dissatisfied. We have a rather large disconnect in my parish and, frankly, a culture war! Family catechesis would be the best option, especially when one (or more) of the children are preparing for a sacrament.