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Evangelization & Catechesis
Learn more about mission of the Department of Evangelization & Catechesis here.
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Contact Us
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Christine Chowchristine-chowsttaustin.orgAdministrative Assistant for the Dept. of Evangelization & Catechesis -
Liz Canneyliz-canneysttaustin.orgDirector of Youth Ministry
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Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, form the Sacraments of Initiation that are all intimately connected. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit" and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ.
High School Confirmation is now offered for eligible 9th Graders as well as grades 10-12. See eligibility requirements below.
Confirmation Preparation 2018-2019
Applications for the 2018-2019 preparation process are open!
The final parent meeting is September 23. See below for more details.
The Confirmation preparation process will include:Application
The candidate and the parent/guardian are each required to submit an online application, both due by October 1. After submitting both applications, you will receive a response within a week confirming your registration with a link for payment and a downloadable copy of the Medical & Media Release form, also required for participation in the preparation process.
Why is there an “application” for Confirmation? Does this mean not everyone who applies will get Confirmed?
Preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation is not a decision to be made lightly. The application allows both the teen and their parent/guardian the opportunity to discern if Confirmation is something they truly want and are ready to prepare for. It also gives Confirmation Team the chance to get to know our teens and their families before beginning the process and enable us to serve our unique candidates as best as possible. It’s important to remember that this isn’t like a job interview or scholarship application; there are no right or wrong answers, so there is no need to worry! If we are concerned at all about someone’s readiness to prepare for the Sacrament, we will open a dialogue with the teen and his/her family before making any kind of decision.Fees
The fee for Confirmation preparation will be $100 (this does not include the Kerygmatic retreat fee). No candidate will be turned away for inability to pay; please contact us confidentially.
The fee will be waived for a candidate if his/her parent and/or sponsor volunteers to be a Small Group Leader.Parent Meeting
All parents of Confirmation candidates will be required to participate in a 2-hour parent meeting intended to both inform and prepare parents for their role in the Confirmation process. Dates are as follows:- Monday, August 27, 7-9 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 5, 7-9 p.m.
- Sunday, September 23, 6-8 p.m.
Sponsor Training
Sponsors will need to be selected early in the prepration process and all sponsors will be expected to participate in a 2-hour training. All sponsors will need to complete a Confirmation Sponsor Form (to be provided) and submit photocopies of their Sacrament records. Local sponsors are encouraged to participate as small group leaders in the preparation process. Dates are as follows:
- Monday, September 17, 7-9 p.m.
- Sunday, October 7, 6-8 p.m. in Elmer Hall, Room 202
- A webinar training will be scheduled after Oct. 1 based on the availability of long-distance sponsors.
Kerygmatic Retreat
St. Theresa will provide a 2-day retreat for all high school students October 20-21, 2018. This will be a requirement for students preparing for Confirmation. The fee for this retreat is separate from the registration fee and is TBD. Additional information can be found here.Super Sundays/Wednesdays
Confirmation candidates will particiapte in 3 Super Sunday or Super Wednesday sessions, each 3 hours in length. Dinner will be provided. Dates are as follows.
Super Sundays Super Wednesdays November 4, 6-9 p.m. November 7, 6-9 p.m. December 2, 6-9 p.m. December 5, 6-9 p.m. January 6, 6-9 p.m. January 9, 6-9 p.m.
Confirmation candidates will plan, submit for approval and complete a service project together as a small group. The project must respond to a particular Corporal or Spritiual Work of Mercy.
Small Group Service ProjectSt. Paul Street Evangelization
Teen Encounter Training Workshop & Live Lab will be provided on 2 dates (likely in February), each taking place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
See video below to learn more about St. Paul Street Evangelization or visit St. Paul Street Evangelization online.
Jesus summons us to his missionary service just as we are: weak in faith, with all our doubts, hesitations, and faults, and sins. He sends us as his messengers to an unbelieving but spiritually hungry world not because we are fit, because we are not. Rather he calls us so that he may make us fit. In sharing with others, the faith that is in us, our own faith is deepened and strengthened. Jesus does not call the equipped, he equips the called.-- Fr. Larry Covington Homily on the Ascension of The LordSt. Theresa Rite of Confirmation Mass
The Mass will be scheduled based on the availability of our bishops. Dates have been requested in May 2019. See this page for more information.
Guidelines before beginning Confirmation Preparation
St. Theresa Catholic Church offers preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation in accordance with Diocese of Austin guidelines. We invite catechized high school students to receive Confirmation as early as grade 9. Generally, catechized means (at minimum) receiving 2 years of comprehensive catechesis immediately prior to Confirmation. This can include enrollment in a Catholic School or participation in a church catechesis class.
PreConfirmation classes begin September 9. For information regarding enrollment for PreConfirmation classes, please visit our Catechesis Page.
Volunteers
Adults are encouraged to consider volunteering to be a part of the Confirmation Core Team and as retreat chaperones. Volunteers must be compliant with our diocesan Ethics and Integrity in Ministry requirements. We need a sufficient number of both male and female volunteers, especially for the Confirmation Retreat. If you'd like to join the team, please submit the form found here. Thank you!
Who can be a sponsor?
Confirmation sponsors are chosen to witness the Catholic faith to the person being Confirmed. They must be at least 16 years old and a practicing Catholic. This means that the sponsor, if married, has been married by the Church and is practicing the faith in an active, sacramental way and living a life in harmony with the teachings of Christ and his Church. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may not be a sponsor. The parent of a candidate may not be his or her sponsor.