St. Paul Religious Education Program

Confirmation Christian Service/Mentor Activities

2010-2011

The 7^th and 8^th grade students in the St. Paul Religious Education Program are asked to complete three different service activities each year (a total of 6 by the end of the second year) as part of the 2 year Confirmation Program. This is a crucial part of their development; each one of us is called by Christ to serve those in need; and we will be judged by how well we have done this. Providing Christian service is a very effective means to open the students’ eyes and hearts to the plight of those who live in a constant state of poverty and hunger; without a roof over their heads or a winter coat to fight off the cold. At some service centers the students come face-to-face with some of the most destitute people in our diocese.

The students in the Religious Education Program are placed in “Disciple Groups” that are led by volunteer “Mentors”. The mentors are parents of students in the R. E. Program. They arrange and coordinate two or three service opportunities for the students, and to reflect with them about their experiences. Students are also required to complete a Service Reflection Form after participating in each activity. This form will be distributed by the mentor, to be completed and submitted for service credit. One service activity must be an “in-parish” Christian service activity, done by our parish and within our parish. Examples of this type would include working at: the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive, the parish Christmas Giving Tree, Parish Moms activities, and all that goes on to care for the homeless during their stay at St. Paul. Two of the opportunities must be “out-of-parish” activities. This includes any Christian service provided outside of St. Paul Parish. Several examples include: Spring planting at St. Joseph Home for the Aged, volunteering at the Capuchin Earth Works Garden, or helping at Gleaners Food Bank or St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen. The Opportunity lists of “In-Parish” and “Out-of-Parish” Service Activities are posted on the St. Paul Parish website at www.stpaulonthelake.org. Additional information, including permission slips, Service Reflection Forms, and directions to service sites are also available online.

Our terrific mentors have graciously agreed to do this ministry. In the past we have found that some Mentors get right at it while others might postpone doing any service until after Thanksgiving. Don’t worry; there are many service opportunities available throughout the year. The mentors have been asked to complete at least one service activity before January 1, 2011. If you would like to share in your son/daughter’s service experience, offer to join the Mentor Group as a helper or driver. Parents are asked to keep track of their child’s progress to be sure they complete three activities by May 6, 2011. If your child is unable to attend one of their Mentor’s scheduled trips, he/she must join another group or you, as parent, must provide a makeup activity. We encourage all families to go out and do service work with their child/children; three is just the minimum number of volunteer activities they are asked to do. This is a great opportunity to teach them about the different types of ministries available to them, both now, and in their futures. Asking to be confirmed means that he/she will willingly take part of parish life as an active member of the parish community.

Service is not something they must do just to “get” confirmed; service is what we do because of who we are: Christians. Christ taught us that whatever we do to the least of our brothers, we do to him. We are going to be judged by how well we took care of all the people in need that God put in our path (MT 25:31-46). Did we reach out in kindness? Did we show mercy? Did we forgive them or hold on to grudges? What did we do with all the time and talents we received from God? Being a committed Catholic Christian is not always easy. However, just as Jesus promised, we always have the Holy Spirit to help us, strengthen us, and guide us.