you don’t say the age, but at whatever age I am betting they have been dragged their kicking and screaming by their parents who want them to have a coming-of-age ritual, and that neither parents or kids have a notion of the true meaning of the sacrament.
In this diocese Confirmation is at age 16, and we have two types of kids in class–those that have been coming more or less regularly to CCD and Mass (or Catholic grade school), and whose parents are practicing the faith. The other kind have not been inside a CCD class or in many cases been to Mass or confession since first communion, and don’t have a clue. Oddly enough, the second group is more hungry to learn.
What they want more than anything is truth, unvarnished, on Catholic belief, morality and practice. They are hungry for the truth. They get watered-down “culturally sensitive” teaching on tolerance and diversity in school. What they crave is the Word of God proclaimed clearly and help applying that Word to their own lives and problems. Any resource you can find to help you there, to foster a habit of regular scripture reading and prayer, is essential.
Have an anonymous question box, research their questions so you can give authorotative answers and deal with questions for part (not all) of every session. If the priest can come for these sessions that is ideal.
One of the most successful things we tried came about by accident. We had adult Catholics in need of Confirmation who could not attend Sunday classes due to work, travel etc. so we gave them the option of participating in High School classes as aides and picking up on the teaching. They have witnessed to their own struggles, reasons for not getting confirmed earlier, their own faith journeys, and the hunger they are now experiencing for the sacraments.
We have actually had HS kids confirmed in May serve as sponsors for adults confirmed at Pentecost, and recently confirmed adults returning as sponsors for HS kids. This has been very powerful and an example of how the Holy Spirit works in this whole process. We also have RCIA candidates and neophytes come to some classes and retreats and give their testimony.
a challenge they face here in Southern Baptist Land is questions from their non-Catholic friends and Catholic-bashing in peer groups, plus a lot of pressure to join youth groups at other churches.
contemplationcornerpress.com has an excellent book called Rock Its a Catholic Thing written by and for teens in this situation in a Q&A format on truths of the faith. They love it and is is a great discussion starter. They sell a Confirmation Pack with this book, Rosary book (meditations with pix put together by teens), Scripture journal, and new discipleship resource based on the Sermon on the Mount, for about $15, probably group discounts available. With this and a good student bible - NAB New International Student bible from Thomas Nelson is excellent, good Q&A on various topics, you are on your way.
