irmation is not “graduation” fro “religious education.” · STEP #1: Discernment Process (March to May) x Start thinking and praying about enrolling in the Confirmation program

LAKE COUNTRY LIFE TEEN IS A HIGH SCHOOL MINISTRY OF ST. CHARLES PARISH 313 Circle Drive, Hartland, WI 53029 | Phone: 262.367.0800 Website: www.stcharleshartland.com

18 March 2015

Dear Class of 2017,

Easter is right around the corner! We pray that you are able to enter fully into this season (which lasts for 50 days) and encounter our Risen Lord! While we prepare to confirm 125 candidates on May 22

nd, we already need to start looking ahead

the fall. Please read this letter in full as it contains information about our Sacrament of Confirmation preparatory process!

We acknowledge that junior year is a busy year for many students. They start thinking about where they want to go to college and what they would like to study. It is also important during this time of discernment to spend time deciding on the role faith will play in their adult lives. Our faith is not just another activity to add to our busy lives, but really an important aspect of who we are and how we conduct ourselves.

Confirmation is not “graduation” from “religious education.” Rather, the Sacrament of Confirmation is for those who are ready to be disciples of Christ and lead others closer to Him through their actions and words. The Sacrament of Confirmation takes place when an individual declares in front of the Church community that he/she is ready to start his/her adult faith journey and embrace all the responsibilities that go with it.

By now your teen should be progressing through our discipleship process: Meet Christ, Know Christ, Love Christ, & Serve Christ before registering for this rigorous confirmation preparation program. If not, I strongly encourage doing so during the summer months or during junior year and deferring confirmation to senior year.

You, as parents, play a critical role in this journey. Right now your candidate may not be ready for Confirmation, but this is a journey and you can help by encouraging them to start it. You are the primary catechist to your children, even at the high school age. While we recognize the independence high school students seek, we ask that you continue to be a great role model of the faith to your student by attending Mass weekly, getting them to sessions on time, praying with and for them, and sharing why the Catholic faith is important to you! The parish has a number of great ministries for you to continue to grow in your faith. Please contact us for more information about these ministries.

The next three pages give an overview of the Confirmation process, where to register, and answers to frequently asked questions. We will go through all of these things in greater detail at our Confirmation Orientations on May 03, 2015 and August 16, 2015 at 4:30-5:45 p.m. in the Borromeo Room. Please join us at one of these two enlightening sessions. Please RSVP for the orientation you will attend at www.lakecountrylifeteen.com/confirmation-registration.html.

Our website (www.lakecountrylifeteen.com) is a VERY important resource. You will see it referenced a number of times for registration forms and other paperwork that needs to be turned in. This website will have the most up-to-date information, (including the master calendar) available to you. We also e-mail a weekly newsletter called “The Pulse” via Constant Contact. You will be automatically on the list upon registering. Please ensure you get these e-mails and they are not going to your spam box. Also make sure your candidate (who will also receive them via e-mail) reads them. Every newsletter will have a link to our monthly “Confirmation Spotlight” with information just for the confirmation program. You can also see these updates via a link on the confirmation page of our website. Additionally we utilize social media (Facebook, twitter, and Instagram) to post ministry updates, pictures, and other inspirational material we want to share.

My main responsibilities are to the teens, young adults (20s & 30s), and the Core Team that ministers to them. These joyful responsibilities often keep me away from my desk. Your questions, concerns, and feedback are important to us and we have an amazing support team in our office to help answer any questions you may have or clarify anything. If for some reason Cindy or Dee Anne is unable to fully help you, they will arrange for me to get in touch with you. The best way to contact our office is by phone at: 262.367.3277 or email: [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding.

God Bless,

Andrew Schueller Director of Student & Young Adult Ministries

2015 Registration Letter

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What You Need to Know For Confirmation Preparation at St. Charles STEPS FOR THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS

STEP #1: Discernment Process (March to May)

x Start thinking and praying about enrolling in the Confirmation program for the fall. x Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. x You may consider meeting with Andrew or a Core Team member to discuss the confirmation program. x Start looking for a Confirmation Sponsor [FAQ #11 &12] and for a Confirmation (Saint) name [FAQ #13].

Information on both is available on our website on the confirmation page. STEP #2: Register for Confirmation (April to June)

x Both electronic and paper forms are available online at: www.lakecountrylifeteen.com/confirmation.html x Fill out all the information. Mail or drop off the Medical Treatment Form and the Payment Information Form with

check (and paper registration form if NOT registering online). Due July 1, 2015! x Complete the pre-program statement (both Candidate and a Parent) and turn in [FAQ #15]. Due August 1st x Attend Parent and Student Orientation: Either May 3rd or August 16th at 4:30p.m. in the Borromeo Room. Please

RSVP for one of these two sessions at www.lakecountrylifeteen.com/confirmation-registration.html STEP #3: Beginning of Preparation (July to September)

x Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. x During the late summer you will get an e-mail to sign-up for a particular small group (max 10 candidates per group).

This will be your group for the entire year. x Return Sacrament Information Form & Retreat Preference Form (available online). Due September 21st x Sign-up & be trained for a parish ministry [FAQ #10].

x Start completing service experiences [FAQ #9]. STEP #4: Preparation (September to April)

x Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. x Attend small group sessions (can only make-up three sessions). x Attend a small group dinner with Fr. Ken. x Attend one of the confirmation retreats: Nov. 6-8, 2015; Dec. 4-6, 2015; or Feb. 5-7, 2016 [FAQ 7 & 8]. x Submit Saint Name Paper and Service Experiences on set dates to small group leader.

x Attend at least one XLT [FAQ #6]. STEP #5: Wrapping Up of Preparation (April and May)

x Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. x Candidate writes letter to the Bishop (Andrew also reads) reflecting on the confirmation program (information

online).

x Complete end of year interview with Andrew or a Core Team member.

x Candidate, Sponsor, and a parent attend rehearsal for Confirmation Mass. For a Sunday confirmation, rehearsal will be on Saturday. For a Weekday confirmation, rehearsal will be the Sunday before.

x Attend the Confirmation Mass – Date TBD

x Candidate registers for parish membership.


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is Lake Country Life Teen? Lake Country Life Teen is a high school ministry of St. Charles dedicated to leading high school students to Meet, Know, Love, and Serve Christ through Eucharistic-centered relational ministries and forming disciples to share the Good News.

2. What are the Registration Requirements? To register for the Confirmation Process, a student must be entering their junior year of high school. Students should be active in growing as a disciple via our discipleship process before registering.

3. What if my teen is not ready to be confirmed? A student can also elect to go through the program as a high school senior or participate in a confirmation process as a young adult or adult. We recommend at least giving this confirmation process a chance and decide at the end if they are ready or wish to be confirmed.

4. When are Confirmation Sessions Held? The confirmation program will meet on average three times a month for an hour and 45 minutes in a small group setting. Some months they meet twice, but others they may need to meet four times. They will meet at different times of the week either at a host families’ home (see below) or at St. Charles. Students will sign up for groups in late summer.

5. What are Host Families? In order to provide a warm atmosphere for our confirmation process, we are looking for some families willing to host their candidate’s confirmation small group and their Core Team member in their home. The core team member will run the night; the host family provides a welcoming space for the group to meet that has a DVD player and a TV. You can alternate dates with one other family. If interested in being a host family, please check the box on the registration form. All adults (18+) living in the household must be (or become) safe environment trained. Thank you in advance for your support!

6. What is a XLT? XLT is short for exalt, and is a night of adoration and worship. Each night has a powerful and challenging witness talk, praise & worship music, and an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

7. What is the Retreat all about? Retreats are the cornerstone of our Life Teen program because they provide an environment for students to get away from the many distractions in their lives and focus on their faith and relationship with God. The Archdiocese requires attendance on one of our weekend retreats: November 6-8, 2015; December 4-6, 2015; or February 5-7, 2016. Candidates must be present at the entire retreat. No one will be allowed to arrive late or leave early.

We offer a number of other different retreats during the year that are open to all high school students such as: Devil’s Lake Retreat and the Wisconsin Catholic Youth Rally. These retreats do not count as the required confirmation program retreat but candidates are welcome to attend these experiences as well.

8. What if we have a conflict with all the retreat weekends? Contact our office ASAP! We know a limited number of other awesome youth ministers in the Archdiocese and can get you in touch with a retreat experience that will be as wonderful as ours.

9. How many service hours do the candidates need to complete? The Confirmation Process requires that candidates explore different forms of service in their lives. We are more interested in the candidates growing as an individual and in their faith than just accumulating hours of service. Candidates are asked to perform a total of three (3) service experiences. They must do one in each of these areas of their life: Self, Church, and Community. They will be asked to write a paper on their experience, which is explained in the handout online and at orientation. Going on a mission trip the summer before the confirmation process may be used for all three of their experiences.

10. What parish ministries can I get involved in? As part of the confirmation preparation experience, candidates are required to sign-up and be actively involved in a parish ministry. Actively involved means attending all meetings and participate in scheduled events or shifts and getting subs when unable to attend. A comprehensive list is online, but examples include: Student IMPACT Team, Liturgical Ministries (Lector, Server, Eucharistic Minister, Choir), St. Vincent de Paul, pastoral council, etc.


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11. What is the role of a Confirmation Sponsor? A sponsor is someone who journeys with the candidate during his/her preparation for the sacrament. In making this choice, the church recognizes that one’s sponsor is a partner in his/her formation, and asks him/her to be conscious of the sponsor’s influence, trusting they will act in the candidate’s best interests and in Jesus’ name. The sponsor will be asked to formally present the candidate to the Bishop at the Rite of Confirmation. More information about picking a sponsor is available on our website.

12. What are the requirements for a Sponsor? A sponsor must be a practicing Catholic who has been fully initiated into the Church (been Confirmed), but cannot be a candidate’s parent. Candidates will be asked to meet regularly (at least 5 times during the year) with their sponsor to discuss faith, ask questions, and talk about the confirmation experience.

13. Why do candidates pick a Saint’s name? Like picking a sponsor; confirmation candidates select a Saint they would like to emulate, to guide them during their confirmation journey. This will require candidates to research the lives of the saints. Candidates will be confirmed with the saint name they select and are asked to write a one page, single-spaced report about their saint. More information is on the confirmation page of our website.

14. Why do I need to submit a photocopy of their Baptismal Certificate, didn’t I send it in for their First Communion? The parish you are baptized at holds all of your sacramental records, and therefore we must notify them upon confirmation. This is why the parish also requests a copy for first communion. The Religious Education Office (K-8) nor our office have the ability to store these files for that many years, so we no longer have the copy you submitted.

15. Why Student and Parent Statements? The purpose of having the candidate and the parents each write a brief statement is to help the confirmation Core Team to get a better sense of where the candidates and family are in their faith journey at the beginning of the process to make sessions as relevant as possible. Please be honest in these statements; there are no correct answers. Use the below questions to help you write the essay. Both essays should each be about 500 words; preferably size 12 font and single-spaced. These are due August 1st.

Candidate Statement Describe your current relationship with God, what does it look like? What type of Christian man/woman do you envision for your future? What steps do you need to take to get closer to God?

Parent Statement Describe the role faith places in your household (how often do you pray as a family, do service projects as a family, and attend Mass)? How have you shared your faith with your children? What is your hope/vision you have for your child after they receive this sacrament?

16. What if a session needs to be canceled due to weather or other causes? We will do our best to update our website and social media outlets to keep you informed. You can also sign-up for our text message service on our website. Please Note: This text service is via a computer system and is not a means to contact us! You can text @urgenttxts to 81010.

17. What else is available to my student? All of our Life Teen ministries are open to all high school students. Even as part of the confirmation program, teens are encouraged to take advantage of different service and social events, IGNITE, Life Groups, retreats, mission trips, and camp. Teen disciples are encouraged to be leading their peers through the discipleship process while still growing in their faith. Please continue to check our website and newsletters, or contact us, for more information.

18. What are the Registration Fees? The fee for confirmation is $260. This includes the $110 student fee, which includes the costs for a student workbook, parent and sponsor guides, There is also a $150 retreat fee. The payment form is on our website with the registration, and can be filled out for all children; those in the K-8 Religious Education Program and our High School Ministries. No one will be turned away due to financial stress, please contact Andrew to discuss options.

Please return your information to the Parish Office by July 1, 2015. If registration is returned after this date, please include a $25 late fee per teen.

19. My teen may need an individualized plan to complete the program. Please do not hesitate to contact Andrew and we will work with you to tailor a program more conducive to your child’s learning ability.


2015-2016 Confirmation Registration Form

Student’s Name: First Middle Last

Date of Birth: Gender: M F

Preferred Nickname:

School: Grade (Fall):

Student E-Mail: Cell #:

Has the Candidate Received the Sacrament of Baptism? No Yes; Date of Baptism: Name of Church Baptized At: Church Address: Street City Zip Has the Candidate Received their First Communion? No Yes; Name of Parish: Example: St. Charles – Hartland, WI Has the Candidate Received their First Reconciliation? No Yes; Name of Parish: Example: St. Charles – Hartland, WI

___ IGNITE (High School) Peer Leader ___ Little Lambs Nursery ___ Server (Liturgical Ministry) ___ EDGE (Middle School) Peer Leader ___ Lector (Liturgical Ministry) ___ Eucharistic Minister (Lit Min) ___ Human Concerns (St. Vincent de Paul) ___ Teen Praise Group ___ Handbell Choir

5:00 p.m. 7:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:45 a.m 6:00 p.m.

___ Fall Semester (September – January) ___ Spring Semester (January – May)

Father’s Name: First Last

Mother’s Name: First Last Primary Address: Street City Zip

E-Mail (Required): Home Number: _________________________________________________ Mother Cell: Mother’s Religion: Father Cell: Father’s Religion:

Name: First Last

Address: Street City Zip

E-Mail (Required): Home Number: _________________________________________________ Cell Number: __________________________________________

___EDGE (Middle School) Core Team ___ IGNITE (High School) Core Team ___ Confirmation Core Team ___Host Family ___ Help with Receptions ___Make Phone Calls/office work ___ Hospitality (Provide Snacks) ___ Advisory Board

Help at the 6pm Mass: ___ Greeter/Usher ___ Lector ___Eucharistic Minister


Emergency Medical Treatment Form Please fill out an individual form for every student involved in high school ministries. These forms are stored separately from

registration information and used only in case of emergency

Student Information: Student’s Name: Sex: M F

First Last

Program: ____EDGE _____Life Teen _____Confirmation D.O.B: ______/_______/

Please list any allergies (especially any medication allergic to) and medications being taken:

Parent/Guardian Information:

Father’s Name: First Last

Mother’s Name: First Last Father’s Cell Number: _____ Mother’s Cell Number: Home Phone:

Emergency Contact Information:

Please provide an emergency contact in the case that neither parent can be reached. Please Print Clearly.

Name: First Last

Relationship to Family: Phone Number:

Health Insurance Information:

Please provide all of the below information. Please Print Clearly.

Insurance Company: _____________________________________ Optional: Health Insurance #:

Please include Member ID and Group # Emergency Treatment: In the event of any emergency, I give permission to transport my CHILD/WARD to a hospital for emergency medical treatment. I wish to be advised prior to any further treatment by the hospital or doctor. Parent/Legal Guardian Signature: Date:

Catholic Formation Payment Worksheet

Family Name: Example: Mr. & Mrs. John and Abby Smith

Home Phone:

Please List all registered children and their grade below: Child Name: Grade:

Child Name: Grade:

Child Name: Grade:

Child Name: Grade:

Child Name: Grade:

All Payments are PER CHILD, PER YEAR with a maximum of $330 total cost per parish member family. Retreat fees and late fees are not included in that maximum. Installment plans are available to any family and NO family will be turned away because of financial difficulties. Please contact Andrew or Jan to discuss options.

Grade Level Parish Member +Retreat Fees +Late Fee (after July 1st)

K4 – 8th $110 None $25 High School $110 $15 $25 Confirmation $110 $150 $25

I Am a Parish Member and: Have _______ Students enrolled in the Catholic Formation Program x$110 each _______________ (or $330 Maximum)

PLUS: $15 Life Teen Retreat Fee x_________ Students equals _______________

$150 Confirmation Retreat Fee x_________ Students equals _______________ $25 Late Fee, if returned after July 1st equals _______________

TOTAL ________________

OFFICE USE ONLY:

Date Received: __________ Amount Paid: __________ Check #:_________ Cash: Y N Initials:_____

Documents

irmation is not “graduation” fro “religious education.” · STEP #1: Discernment Process (March to May) x Start thinking and praying about enrolling in the Confirmation program