This question was asked at the workshop "Confirming Young Disciples" by the Center for Ministry Development: What do you HOPE for young people who are being prepared for Confirmation? How would YOU answer this question? (Please, post in the comments section below) Do we ask our Confirmation team members this each year? Do we ask parents this? Do we ask sponsors this? Hey, what about the candidates themselves.... what kinds of answers do you think they might give? Perhaps they will surprise us. In any event, I love the simplicity of the question and the possibilities of where the responses can take us. Below, in no particular order are the responses we listed on post-its at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Vienna, Ohio (Diocese of Youngstown, February 19, 2014): We hope.... - that they become saints - alive in love of Jesus in the Gospel - enlightens them to give the gifts they are given - continue their growth in their faith - become true disciples/share their faith - they become 'alive' in their faith and 'present' - celebrates the faith that has begun in them - continue to grow in their faith - engages us to our community - calls us to be active in our relationship with God - they will always have questions & that they are willing to ask the questions, not walk away - to give life to their faith - a Personal Pentecost that unites us to the original Pentecost and the living Body of Christ - empowering them to live as Catholics - zeal to continue to learn and grow in their faith - that they come to love Jesus - open to see God working in their life - open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in their life - empowered - stay thirty (keep pursuing God) - good examples - increase in JOY in the Lord - openness to Holy Spirit in regards to their future - support - ownership in Church (participation in life of Church) - live faith in all parts of life - they are reborn in openness to the work of the Holy Spirit in them - strengthen relationships (youth, sponsors, parents) - loving relationship with Jesus Christ - model Christ to others - connection to the Church and parish community - willingness to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ - attending Mass on a regular basis - ACTIVE, not passive - NOT graduation - participation in ministry - see the value of the experience of enrichment: they WANT it, not their parents - connection to Baptism - understand renewal of those promises and take ownership of it - they become involved in parish ministries - they appreciate the gifts and graces that have been strengthened by the Holy Spirit - they live out their faith - they come with an open mind to the Sacrament - they "fall in love" with Jesus - that they "use" the gifts of the Holy Spirit and produce the fruits - that they be fully engaged in the Catholic Church - they become "on fire" in their faith - live faith in ALL parts of their life - that they are still practicing Catholics 20 years from now! Whew, what a list -- of course, we have a lot of hopes and dreams for our youth...and hopefully we step forward in faith to journey with and guide them by living lives of Christian witness! Come Holy Spirit!
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I was asked again recently, "What do I have to do for diocesan Child Protection certification or whatever it is called?" So, I thought I'd post here what I shared (so you can share it with others who ask you!) Our DCPP (Diocesan Child Protection Policy) compliance begins with a 4 step process to be done through one's parish/Catholic institution. 1. Read the Diocesan Child Protection Policy booklet (these are free and available through your parish/institution coordinator) 2. Sign and submit the booklet Authorization and Verification form to your parish/institution coordinator 3. Participate in a two-hour "Treasured Gifts from God" in-service (dates and location are often listed in the monthly "Communique'" email (http://www.doy.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128&Itemid=100 ) 4. Have your fingerprints done via webcheck at any Ohio location having the report sent to your parish/institution. (If you are new to Ohio, an FBI check will need to be done.) After these 4 steps, and a "clean" fingerprinting report is received by the parish/institution, the DCPP administrator submits a checklist to the Office of the Chancellor. Once the individual is entered into the diocesan data-base, that adult is found to be in compliance and can chaperon/drive/volunteer with/serve youth. Furthermore, for those serving in youth ministries, your parish/institution coordinator should be providing ongoing education in this area, perhaps more on recognizing signs of abuse, or how to create a safe environment, etc. So long as you stay in continuous service at the same institution, there is currently no need for re-fingerprinting. However, should you change locations or go inactive more than one year, then you are required to start the process over again. Our diocesan Chancellor is always available to assist as needed, just contact the diocese at 330-744-8451. |
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
July 2021
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