Generation to Generation

Parent and Teenager Discussion To prepare the students for this, talk it up during Ignite and Getting to Know You sessions. It is not easy for students to open up in front of parents if they do not have periodic discussions about faith at home. Letting them know ahead of time this is coming. One question that is coming, “Why do you want to be confirmed?”

Goal At the end of the day, the parents and teens will have a common starting point for sacrament preparation. Class attendance Retreat attendance Service Opportunities Weekly family activities But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities?

Challenge Parents & Teens But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? Challenge Parents & Teens Parents: We will ask them to share some of their feelings and expectations. What do they do at home to encourage spiritual growth in the family? Teens: Challenge them to ask questions. Think of their role/contributions/challenges: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

Group Activity Get comfortable with the environment Pray But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? Group Activity Get comfortable with the environment Recall earlier discussion Pray Ask the Holy Spirit to encourage a air of openness Start with icebreakers Simple one or two-word answers to help people open up. Smoothly transition into the questions. Make it feel like a shift in the discussion rather than a jump from one thing to another.

Facilitate the discussion But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? Facilitate the discussion Questions to help guide the discussion: Do you have traditions as a family? Birthday Grandma’s house on Sunday Relative’s house on holidays How about Catholic traditions? Lent – time of family prayer, self-denial Advent Candle Other religious holiday tradition

Facilitate the discussion Parents: Why was it important for you to teach your children of these family traditions? Teens: Can you see how your family helps mold you into the Christian that your are? Can you see how your actions help form your family members into the Christians they are? Do you think you will carry these traditions on in your families?

But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? Family Teens: So you can see that your Christian Life actually started when you were a little child?

Talk…Uh Oh… Is speaker arranged?

Discussion Both: What is the first thing you remember about the talk? But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? Discussion Both: What is the first thing you remember about the talk? Let as many parents and teens discuss Let it lead to more talking points Write notes so you can return to specific point mentioned

Discussion (cont.) Parent: Teens respond Teens: Parents respond But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? Discussion (cont.) Parent: What ‘thing’ about being Catholic do you cherish most? Why? Teens respond Teens: What specific ‘thing’ that we Catholics do that you don’t quite understand? Parents respond

Discussion (cont.) Do you think Catholics study the Bible? But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? Discussion (cont.) Do you think Catholics study the Bible? Where can you find examples of the Bible in the practice of our faith? In what area of your own spiritual life would you like to see yourself grow more (some people may feel uncomfortable if the topic they think of is too personal) Do you ever find yourself happy after Mass and don’t quite understand why you feel so good?

Discussion (cont.) Teens: Parents: Why do you want to be confirmed? But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? Discussion (cont.) Teens: Why do you want to be confirmed? Parents: Why do you want your daughter/son confirmed?

In Closing (to the Teens) But what do the parents and teens expect to get out of participating in all of these activities? In Closing (to the Teens) Importance of the family in Christian living Importance of yourself in Christian living Confirmation is not the end of your Christian journey. It is the beginning of you taking ownership of practicing your own faith. Pray