Confirmation Preparation

Students will receive an email (sent to the student email address indicated on the PATHS registration). This email will contain username and password for Confirmation Assignment submission. The passwords are very complex, it is suggested that students save this password for use over the two years instead of trying to change it.
Type essays in Word so a copy is saved on your computer then copy and paste on the database. No emailed or Google docs will be accepted for essay submissions. Students also are to email a copy of their essays to their catechists.
On the database under Service Hours there is a form to download and keep track of which service hours have been recorded. The database will keep a running total of service hours completed for each student.

The confirmation program, under the name PATHS (People After the Holy Spirit), is a two-year program that can begin freshman, sophomore or junior year of high school and concludes with the Rite of Confirmation in the spring of the second year. The current program consists of eight large group presentations over two years on topics related to being a Catholic in the modern world. These topics are intended to invite students to ponder the significance of moral, justice, theological, and scriptural issues that are a part of every committed and confirmed Catholic’s life. Each of these eight presentations over the two years is followed with two small home group meetings.

Another component of the preparation is a service project that each student is expected to complete in the course of the two years. This can be done individually or with other candidates as a group. It is also expected that each student will research and prepare an essay on the saint name they will choose for their confirmation name. After preparation, all second-year candidates will be expected to write a letter to the pastor giving the reasons as to why they want to be confirmed. Each candidate will be interviewed by a staff member or parishioner prior to confirmation to determine preparedness and willingness to receive the sacrament.

PATHS large groups meet at Saint Anne in the Parish Center gym and small groups meet in catechists’ homes. At the beginning of the first year of the program, all registered PATHS participants will be provided with information on small group catechists, meeting places and times. They will then be given the choice of groups that they would like to join; our expectation is that these groups carry forward to the second year of the program. In order to provide the best possible experience for the participants, individual small group size is limited.

Volunteer Needs:

Catechists: The Paths confirmation program rests upon the commitment of catechists who will commit to work with a group of candidates for at least two years. The catechist is expected to attend all the large group sessions. He/she will also facilitate the small group sessions that follow these, either in their home or at the parish. Catechists will be provided training and instruction to prepare them for this important task. A basic requirement of the catechist is to be a baptized Catholic who is interested in sharing their faith experience with young people.

Adult volunteers who are working with children are required to fulfill all Protecting God’s Children components, including attending a safe environment program (VIRTUS), prior to beginning their work.

PATHS (Confirmation) First Year Saint Biographies
PATHS (Confirmation) Second Year Saint Biographies

Contact: Joe Tomaso: jtomaso@stannebarrington.org or 847/620-3073