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. Candidates are also encouraged to attend the Community Events that are held in the course of the year; these events are a good way to supplement Confirmation preparation and demonstrate one way that adult Catholics continue to form their faith throughout their lives.

PATHS large groups meet at Saint Anne in the Parish Center gym and small groups meet in catechists’ homes.  At the beginning of each program year, 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; groups do not carry forward from year to year.  In order to provide the best possible experience for the participants, individual small group size is limited.

For more information on our Confirmation program, please visit our PATHS Confirmation preparation page.

Please call Michael Hugo, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at 847-620-3073, mhugo@stannebarrington.org or his Administrative Assistant, Doreen Sobeski at 847-620-3072, dsobeski@saintannebarrington.org for more information.