Faith Formation for youth in grades 9-12 happens in two subgroups. Youth in grades 9 & 10 participate in formation together, which is preparatory for the sacrament of confirmation program. Sacramental preparation for Confirmation is for youth in grades 11 & 12. Youth who attend Catholic high schools can register for confirmation in 11th grade. Youth who do not attend a Catholic high school, can register for confirmation when they have completed two prior years of parish formation. Our Confirmation program is one year, when youth are in either grade 11 or 12. For questions regarding this prerequisite, please contact Fr. Peter Patrick or Margaret Lee.
High School Faith Formation for St. Catherine and St. Sebastian Parishes is focused on helping students in grades 9-10 grow in their knowledge of our faith and in their personal spirituality. Through catechesis, participation in Mass, socializing and community engagement, we strive to provide opportunities for young people to encounter and serve Jesus Christ. High School ministry will focus on teaching young people concrete ways to live out the Catholic faith, while guiding them to an understanding of how God works, through scripture and tradition. We are committed to fostering a sense of self, by encouraging them to cultivate a personal relationship with God.
This year formation sessions for youth in grades 9 and 10 will happen on the Second Sundays of the month, from 9 - 10:15 am. The schedule is posted below. We will have these sessions from October through May. Due to the availability of youth in grades 9 and 10, they will have a hybrid formation schedule. Some of their lessons will be to read and reflect on their own, guided by a personalized schedule. High school parish ministry should prepare youth for the confirmation process. As a result of not attending Catholic schools, we aim to provide an intellectual catechesis of Catholic teachings, reflective of what is happening in Catholic schools. The program will provide books and learning materials needed to gain knowledge and that will be considered their at home formation. We will focus on the pillars of Scripture, Liturgy and Sacraments, Prayer, Morality and Creed. This should be building on their formation from middle school, through either the parish or Catholic school education.
In addition to their small group and at home sessions, we ask that youth in high school participate in family formation events. There are five family events, listed on their schedule below. The youth will not only benefit from the catechesis at these sessions, they will also participate as helpers to foster a spirituality of service. We ask that parents also attend the family formation events. Parents are encouraged to model faithful discipleship in ways that witness to sharing time, talent and treasure with the parish. Both continual formation and service to community are key components of a healthy faith life, we encourage parents to teach this truth by word and deed. Attending the family formation sessions will be fruitful for your family and our parish community.
Please note: it is MANDATORY for youth hoping to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation, in 11th or 12th grade, who do not attend a Catholic high school, to attend high school formation for two years prior, so they are able to adequately participate in the sacramental preparation program.
Questions? Contact Margaret Lee, Director of Faith Formation, at 414-453-7150 x123 or mlee@saintsebs.org.
Grades 9-10 Youth Ministry Schedule
To locate information about registering a young person for the sacramental preparation of confirmation, please click here and proceed to the Youth Confirmation tab.
Registration Instructions
There are multiple steps on the registration form. You will need to complete registration for a parent or guardian first, then add each child. You may register for all Faith Formation & Sacramental Prep programs at once, on the same form.
The fee for Faith Formation is $75. You will be prompted to pay this fee when registering your child(ren). We do not want any family, who is unable to pay the fee, not to register. Please speak with Fr. Peter Patrick or any member of the formation team, if your family needs options regarding the fee.
If you need assistance with registration, please contact Patrick Schley at pschley@saintsebs.org or 414-453-1061 x149.
