Post - Confirmation Post - Confirmation Engagement Engagement

Jennifer Belock

Youth Ministry Coordinator

Jbelock@buffalodiocese.org

Why its important: Why its important: formationformation

Confirmation preparation- invite, foster, and Confirmation preparation- invite, foster, and call to responsibility of being call to responsibility of being disciplesdisciples

Intentional Christian environment Intentional Christian environment && community - foundationcommunity - foundation

Catechesis – appropriate for adolescent ageCatechesis – appropriate for adolescent age Evangelization opportunity – Evangelization opportunity – parents, parents,

sponsors, friends, parish leaders & communitysponsors, friends, parish leaders & community Connection to youth and parish ministries Connection to youth and parish ministries

New Active Members!New Active Members! Not graduation, not series of hoops…Not graduation, not series of hoops…

… … but a new life in the churchbut a new life in the church!!

Integrated into parish communityIntegrated into parish community Acquainted with liturgical rolesAcquainted with liturgical roles Developed sense of servant leadershipDeveloped sense of servant leadership Connected to key relationships Connected to key relationships Source of Source of energy, renewal, vibrant lifeenergy, renewal, vibrant life! !

What can we doWhat can we do Meet the young people in the milestones of their lifeMeet the young people in the milestones of their life

Driver’s license-blessing Driver’s license-blessing High School Graduation/Baccalaureate MassHigh School Graduation/Baccalaureate Mass College application processCollege application process Entering workforce/militaryEntering workforce/military Family dynamics Family dynamics Social scenes Social scenes Dating & relationshipsDating & relationships ‘‘Issues’ – (prevention) depression & stressIssues’ – (prevention) depression & stress Loss of peers – tragedy in young person’s life Loss of peers – tragedy in young person’s life Academic, sports, and arts achievements Academic, sports, and arts achievements Development of professional skills & social etiquetteDevelopment of professional skills & social etiquette

Opportunity for Church community to be present – Opportunity for Church community to be present – support, support, celebration, pastoral care, prayer – (God is in all of the messiness!) celebration, pastoral care, prayer – (God is in all of the messiness!) Faith formation is LIFELONGFaith formation is LIFELONG

… … How can we do itHow can we do it Relational ministry – be welcoming!Relational ministry – be welcoming!

Teach community; train leadersTeach community; train leaders Personal invitation for active engagementPersonal invitation for active engagement

Recognize gifts and talentsRecognize gifts and talents Know it is part of journey Know it is part of journey

Not catch all; ‘groupings’ based on giftsNot catch all; ‘groupings’ based on gifts

Connect to ‘plug in’ eventsConnect to ‘plug in’ events Parish – Parish CouncilParish – Parish Council Diocese – CLI, Convention Diocese – CLI, Convention National/global – mission trip, conferences National/global – mission trip, conferences

Where can we get involved?Where can we get involved?

Prayer &WorshipPrayer &Worship Music ministryMusic ministry

Pastoral CarePastoral Care Retreat for SeniorsRetreat for Seniors

CatechesisCatechesis 5 Week Series (topic)5 Week Series (topic)

AdvocacyAdvocacy Website or pod cast Website or pod cast

Service & JusticeService & Justice Mission TripMission Trip

Leadership DevelopmentLeadership Development Peer Ministry & Catechist Peer Ministry & Catechist

Community LifeCommunity Life Mailings, cards, giftsMailings, cards, gifts

EvangelizationEvangelization Seasonal GatheringsSeasonal Gatherings