Sponsor help/advice

[mrogers1257]

Oh that time of year has dawned upon us again…confirmation!
Buuuuutttttttttttt my work as a sponsor to my 13 year old confirmandi is not done, nor will it ever be. He is to be confirmed in May and I have seen him grow a lot in the past year but there is still one area I am concerned about…his social life.

I met my confirmandi when he was 11 and in my Religious Ed class when I taught 6th grade. Since then we have grown very close and essentially brothers. I have gotten the chance to see his social life here and there and there are a few things I am a but concerned about as far as him trying to be “cool.” Yes it’s just the natural thing for teenage boys I get that. But my concern comes when I have heard he can be a “bully” without knowing he is a bully if that makes any sense? Meaning…he messes around with other kids and he has no intention of being harmful but sometimes he can be without knowing it. His heart is filled with nothing but love I know it! I’m trying to get him to show it a bit more and to not worry about peer pressure etc.

My goal is to teach him that being Catholic isn’t just a religion it’s a way of life. I know it’s hard for kids to comprehend that…but I want it to be as close as possible for him.

Any help would be great!
Thanks
Matt

 

[InternetWoman]

Perhaps a series of discussions about men who have followed Christ well, what they did, and why they are to be admired? This would give you an opportunity to stress what about being a “man of Christ” is important. Of course, the first men on the list would be Saints, but you might find others you admire that you could bring up.

You might also give him a copy of “Be A Man!” by Fr. Larry Richards (and one for yourself) then go through the book and discuss it.

 

[LittleRose]

Fortunately for most, if not all of us, one doesn’t have to be a saint or even perfectly mature to be confirmed. In fact, some Eastern Rite Catholics and Orthodox Christians confirm their children as infants!

Those of us who aren’t confirmed as infants need to be properly instructed, sincere, and serous about living and growing in the faith before we are confirmed. If this is the case for this boy, then he may well be ready to be confirmed. It may be that as he matures he will address these social issues in time. The grace of the sacrament may even help him to do so.

It is quite common for young teens to give very little thought to how their actions affect others. You seem perfectly positioned to teach him greater empathy for his peers through conversation, example, and even the occasional brotherly reprimand.