Confirmation Mentors

Share your heart, Share your faith as a CONFIRMATION MENTOR!

Saturday, April 6, 2024 10 a.m. Confirmation Mass in St. Joseph's Catholic Church-Kimball, NE 

This ministry asks an adult who is visibly committed to their own faith life, and active in our parish, to agree to enter into a relationship with a confirmation candidate who is in high school. The mentor will meet once a month with the young person in a group setting at the parish, support the candidate through prayer, and invite and encourage the candidate to participate in parish activities and liturgies, most especially the celebration of the Mass.

The mentor will share their own faith journey in an honest, appropriate fashion, as well as enter into the candidate’s faith journey as far as their candidate invites them.

The mentor is not expected to be a Catholic encyclopedia of knowledge, but to provide a ministry of “compassionate presence in imitation of Jesus’ care of people.” (Renewing the Vision, 42) 

Qualifications

•  Practices the Catholic faith and is involved in parish life
•  Is a registered member of St. Patrick’s Parish
•  Is at least 25 years old
•  Respects and has a basic understanding of the central teachings of the Catholic Church
•  Is genuinely interested in the ideas, beliefs and questions of our youth
•  Is capable of developing a positive and comfortable relationship with a candidate
•  Demonstrates appropriate boundaries in relationships

Length of Commitment:

Sept. 2023- April 2024

Involvements/Continuing Education:

A Safe Environment training is required for all new mentors. Contact parish office at (308) 254-2828 for more information. 

Mentor Tasks to be Performed: 

• Develop or nurture established relationship with young person being mentored 
• Participate in group and individual activities as directed
• Pray for the young person being mentored

Support for Mentors 

• Contact with Confirmation director and/or director of youth ministry as needed 
• Resource material will be provided

Benefits:

Opportunity to relate one-on-one, and in group settings with a young person of our parish family; to discover more about your personal faith, our faith community, and the Church as a whole.

Are mentors the same as sponsors?

While a mentor may be a sponsor, the mentor and sponsor may also be different people. The Church requires of a sponsor that they be “confirmed Catholics, at least 16 years old and practicing members of the church, while not being your parents.” (Catholic Update, Godparents & Sponsors, Feb. 1997)

 In our parish it is not unusual that the sponsor is a family member or friend who lives a long distance from Sidney, making it impossible for them to be actively involved in the preparation. Mentors (who must be members of the parish) are able to be present throughout the last months of preparation for the reception of Confirmation.

 From “ Renewing the Vision, A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry” from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1997

Goals for Ministry with Adolescents

Goal One:   To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.

Goal Two:   To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work 

​                        of the Catholic faith community.

Goal Three:  To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.

Components of Comprehensive Youth Ministry

• Advocacy
• Catechesis
• Community Life
• Evangelization
• Justice and Service
• Leadership Development
• Pastoral Care
• Prayer and Worship

“The challenge of discipleship-of following Jesus-is at the heart of the Church’s mission. All ministry with adolescents must be directed toward presenting young people with Good News of Jesus Christ and inviting and challenging them to become his disciples….If we are to succeed, we must offer young people a spiritually challenging and world-shaping vision that meets their hunger for the chance to participate in a worthy adventure.” (10)

For more information contact J. Nesbitt, or Joan  Falcon at the parish office, (308) 254-2828.

Safe Environment

All volunteers who work with children and youth are required to attend Safe Environment Initial Training 

St. Patrick's participates in the diocesan Safe Environment program. This program is designed to protect our children and young people by creating an environment where they encounter adults who are positive, protective and consistent. The initial training, along with background checks and references are required for any adult who has regular contact through a parish program with children and youth.

Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation

Sat. April 6, 10:00 am

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