We are using the Chosen program again for the 2023-24 year. Sessions are offered weekly to be completed at home, with a monthly gathering at the parish center, 10:30 am-noon (schedule below). The best way to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation is to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and hear the Word of God at Mass each Sunday with family and community. Sunday Mass attendance is mandatory (sign-in book at main entrances) along with 1/2 page responses to 3 questions about the weekly Gospel and Father’s homily via website at https://goodshepherdmv.com/student-sunday-mass-questions/. We are in Year Two of the Eucharistic Revival calling all Catholics across the US, to be healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and sent out in mission “for the life of the world.” (See USCCB Eucharistic Revival begun in June, 2022.) If families are off island, the student is expected to bring a bulletin signed by the priest at the off-island Church with same 1/2 page responses. Students (ideally with his/her family) will be expected to come to the Sacrament of Confession at a minimum during Advent/Lent, Stations of the Cross at least once, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration and give some time in service to the parish and/or community. Video links and workbooks will be provided at our first session Sun. 10/8/2023.
Confirmation is currently celebrated in ninth grade. The diocesan requirement is 2 years of preparation prior to receiving the Sacrament, which is typically in the spring of freshman year; otherwise Confirmation will be delayed until obligations are met. If a ninth grader or older is seeking the Sacrament, without completing faith formation in 8th grade, he/she will do the Dynamic Catholic series the first year, and Chosen in the following, 2nd year along with other above-listed expectations. In addition to completing the weekly videos/workbook and attending monthly gatherings. Date and Location for Sacrament of Confirmation TBD.
2023-24 Registration fees: $100/child or $200/family maximum. Additional sacramental fee of $50 will be paid in the spring to cover the cost of the retreat and robe rentals.
Confirmation Prep: CHOSEN Schedule 2023-24 In-Person: 10:30 am-noon Parish Center
Sunday Date: Weekly Lessons
2023
10/8/2023 Lesson 1: “Why am I here?” (An Introduction to Chosen)
10/15/2023 Lesson 2: “What makes me happy?” (Discovering God as the Source)
10/22/2023 Lesson 3: “What’s your story, God?” (A Look at Salvation History)
10/29/2023 Lesson 4: “How do I know God is real?” (Understanding Divine Revelation)
11/5/2023 Lesson 5: “Who is Jesus?” (The Person and Mission of Christ)
11/12/2023 Lesson 6: “Why be Catholic?” (Discovering the Church Jesus Founded)
11/19/2023 Lesson 7: “Where am I going?” (A Look at the Last Four Things)
11/26/2023 Lesson 8: “How do I get there?” (The Power and Purpose of the Sacraments)
12/3/2023 Lesson 9: “When did my journey begin?” (Baptism, Your Initiation into God’s Family)
12/10/2023 Lesson 10: “Why tell my sins to a priest?” (The Healing Power of Confession)
12/17/2023 Lesson 11: “How does God help when it hurts?” (Anointing of the Sick and Redemptive Suffering)
12/24/2023 Christmas Break – no session
12/31/2023 Lesson 12: “Who is the Holy Spirit?” (Meeting the Third Person of the Trinity)
2024
1/7/2024 Lesson 13: “What does the Holy Spirit do for me?” (Gifts for the Journey)
1/14/2024 Lesson 14: “Why have I been Chosen?” (Sealed and Sent in Confirmation)
1/21/2024 Lesson 15: “Why do I have to go to Mass?” (Encountering Jesus in the Eucharist)
1/28/2024 Lesson 16: “What does it mean to say, I do?” (Marriage, a Sign of God’s Love)
2/4/2024 Lesson 17: “Who’s calling?” (Holy Orders and Vocational Discernment)
2/11/2024 Lesson 18: “Are you talking to me?” (Getting to Know God Through Prayer)
2/18/2024 Lesson 19: “Who is Mary?” (Meeting the Mother of God–and Your Heavenly Family)
w/Safe Environment lesson on Modesty and Humility
2/25/2024 Winter Break – no session
3/ 3/2024 Lesson 20: “What would Jesus do?” (The Beatitudes as a Path to True Happiness)
3/10/2024 Lesson 21: “Do I have what it takes?” (Building Virtue–Your Spiritual Workout)
3/17/2024 Lesson 22: “Why wait?” (God’s Plan for Love and Sex)
3/24/2024 Lesson 23: “How do I build the kingdom?” (Saying “Yes” to the Mission of Christ and His Church)
3/31/2024 Easter Sunday – no session
4/ 7/2024 Lesson 24: “Where do I go from here?” (The Journey Continues)
All students are required to answer the 3 Questions relating to Sunday Mass via our website, and submit by the following Tuesday https://goodshepherdmv.com/student-sunday-mass-questions/
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Registration is under Faith Formation tab; nothing to print, just fill out and submit! You can stop by during regular office hours M-W & F 9:30 am – 4:00 pm also. Completed forms and payment are expected before sessions begin. Payment can be made via on line giving, checks are to be made out to: Good Shepherd Parish, or pay with cash. A new medical information/student release form has to be filled out each year, and bring a copy of the child’s sacrament certificates: if he/she wasn’t baptized here on Martha’s Vineyard, and/or First Communion, if celebrated off island.
Contact the parish office 508-693-0342 for more information. Sue Pagliccia will be the faith formation leader.
