High School Faith Formation

Catechesis within “The Ultimate Road Trip” 2010 - 2011

Catechesis (English) for all High School teens occurs on Sunday evenings following the 5:00pm Mass.    Having Catechesis follow Liturgy is a gift; the Eucharist is the Source and Summit of who we are as Catholics.  Your teen may attend any Mass, but we do require your family attend a Sunday liturgy every week. 

Following Mass at 6:30pm we offer a time of Community among their peers.  Teens gather to socialize, enjoy a light snack and music. All 9th and 10th grade teens gather in the Parish Hall.   All 11th and 12th grade teens gather in The Pavilion. All sessions end at 8:30pm. 

5:00 Youth Mass   Church
6:30 Socialize   Parish Hall
6:50 Praise and Worship Music Parish Hall
7:00 Announcements / Move  Parish Hall
7:10 RE session   Education Building
8:30 Dismissal 

TEENS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WALK HOME.

Teen’s greater capacity to understand their faith and make it their own makes the formation they receive in their High School years extremely important. Following the indications of our bishop, the Sacrament of Confirmation is available in 10th grade. Given the diverse realities of our teens, and the two years required formation prior to the sacrament of confirmation, “The Ultimate Road Trip” will be offering essentially 6 different formation programs this year:

• Thus a teen entering the program for first time will always use the Catholic Faith Handbook for Teens and be considered “Pre-Confirmation”, though 9th graders will be in separate classes than the 10th and 11th graders.
• Next year we will open our 7th program which would be second year of formation for those in 11th and 12th grade. This program would be “11th and 12th Confirmation”.

Those teens approaching Faith Formation for the first time as seniors will be seen on an individual basis and should ask for a personal meeting with Amber Jaloway.

Catechesis Further Explained

9th grade Pre-Confirmation Continuing:  Bible – Old and New Testament, the timeline of the Bible and prophesies of the Old Testament fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament or Salvation History.
Text:   T3 – the Teen Timeline, by Ascension Press.  
 T3 Matthew by Ascension Press
References for your family:  The Great Bible Adventure by Jeff Cavins, this is the adult version of the T3 Timeline. 

9th grade Pre-Confirmation Intensive: a summary of our faith in an understandable and down-to-earth guide to all things Catholic.
Text: The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth by Brian Singer - St. Mary’s Press
References for your family: Catechism of the Catholic Church

10th grade Confirmation:  Apologetics and Confirmation Preparation.  Following the guidelines of the Diocese of Austin, sessions specific to preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation occur following the retreat in the Spring. 
Text: Our students will be utilizing their personal bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 
 The formation specific to Confirmation will be The Spirit Sets Us Free by Sadlier
References for your family:  A Father Who Keeps His Promises and Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn.

10th and 11th grade Pre-Confirmation: a summary of our faith in an understandable and down-to-earth guide to all things Catholic.
Text: The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth by Brian Singer - St. Mary’s Press
References for your family: Catechism of the Catholic Church

11th grade Formation:  Theology of the Body.  Understanding who we are as created in the image and likeness of God.  Pope John Paul II has given us a beautiful explanation and revelation of God’s plan for us. 
Text:: Theology of the Body for Teens  by Ascension Press.
References for your family: Theology Of the Body for Teens – Parent Guide, God’s plan for you, Life, Love Marriage and Sex, the Theology of the Body, by David Hajduk.   The Theology of Body for beginners and Good Marriage, by Christopher West.  Man and Woman He created them by John Paul II, Love and Responsibility by Karl Wojtyla

12th grade Formation:  Service and Leadership.  This year is all about moving into the life of the parish and preparing for life as a Catholic young adult in the collage environment. This year will be Ministry focused, with formation that complements their service projects and their position in life: personality and self-knowledge, vocation, etc.
Text: Supplemental material

12th Intense Confirmation: Reviewing all we as Catholics believe and the core content of our faith, as well as preparation specific to confirmation
Text: The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth by Brian Singer - St. Mary’s Press
The formation specific to Confirmation will be The Spirit Sets us Free by Sadlier

Parent Sessions: We are called to ever grow and deepen in our faith so as to reach the fulfillment Christ has called us to.   With that in mind there are sessions just for you.  These sessions will be held in the Parish Hall at the same time your teen begins their sessions in the Education building. 

Pro-Life Teaching / Resources

If your teen attends a High School Ministry retreat weekend or a Diocese weekend event, they are excused from the same Sunday RE session..   

Your prayers, support and involvement are crucial to the success of this ministry. 

Finances should never keep a teen from fully participating in this ministry.
If finances are an issue for your family, scholarships are available.
Please contact the High School Youth Office for more information.