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Confirmation Preparation

I have a confession to make: When I first started as the Middle School Youth Minister at St. Mark, I didn't know what the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit were or how many fruits there were ... and I was the Confirmation Coordinator. I didn't learn those things until about 30 minutes before my first Confirmation Parent/Candidate Sessions a year and half into the job either. And I did not actually learn all twelve fruits until about 3 years ago.

These are just two of the things I make my students memorize and learn now. Yesterday, my 8th class of Confirmation Candidates were just confirmed. My team has changed. My level of responsibility has changed. My parish has changed. My job has changed. And my understanding of the Sacrament of Confirmation has changed.

This year's group was prepared by some adults, some teens, a nun, and me. Quite the group!


I cannot believe that I've seen almost 600 students confirmed. Through it all each class has gotten better and better. They know more and more coming into 9th grade. This year's group had a great understanding of the basics of the faith when they entered class with us at the end of August. So we were able to have more fun with them as the weeks went along.

Did we make an impact on them? I don't know yet. Only time will tell if they see this as a foundation on their faith life. I do firmly believe that as teachers of the sacraments, we are only planting seeds. We only plant the seeds and water them, to hopefully see them grow and flourish over the course of decades. 

I remember my own Confirmation. I was a junior in high school and can remember it distinctly. I chose a sponsor was good friends with my grandmother, who's name I chose. That man has since passed away, probably doing more for me and my faith than he was capable of while here on earth. Daily I remember him at Mass along with my grandparents, asking them to cheer me on my faith. To continue to water the seeds of faith that were planted so long ago and are hopefully now trees producing beautiful fruit. 

p.s. And now I know the gifts and the fruits and the difference. There are some songs (or here) that make this memorization a little easier. 


just need to add in Chasity, Modesty, and Generosity to the end to learn them all ... and that's not as easy as you think!
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Comments

  1. Laura November 13, 2016 at 11:40 PM

    What an awesome ministry to be part of! Wish I'd more fully prepared for Confirmation and had a deeper understanding of it. And I totally do not have the gifts or fruits memorized! Ha, I think I might work on that now ;-)

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    Replies
    1. KatieNovember 14, 2016 at 8:28 AM

      hehe ... that song can really get in your head, so beware! And for the gifts, we tell them to remember PUFFCoWK ... Piety, Understanding, Fortitude, Feat of the Lord, Counsel, Wisdom, and Knowledge!!

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