You Shall be My Witnesses’
Update for Parishes in Dublin

This programme is designed to be a resource for members of parish teams that would encourage, challenge and invite parents and the wider parish community to become more actively involved in the preparation for Confirmation.

For information about You Shall Be My Witnesses,
click the following links for details about

Programme Resources

Selection of Leaders

10 Steps to planning the programme in your parish.

Some comments from Parent Leaders & Young People

 

The Programme

You Shall Be My Witnesses explores what it means to belong to the Christian family, what we believe, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and how we can witness to the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The first four sessions take place before the celebration of confirmation and a fifth session takes place after the celebration is over reinforcing the idea that we are not simply preparing for a one day event but that confirmation is the beginning of a new journey as a full members of the Church.

Each young person has a confirmation journal which they use in the group session and at home with their parents. A weekly newsletter is given to parents so that they are linked into the content of each session, thereby supporting parents in their role as “first teachers of their child in the ways of faith”. Parents are also invited and encouraged to join with their child by attending a short prayer service which takes place at the end of each session.

The parish programme complements the school curriculum, and supports the valuable work of the teachers and the school. You Shall be My Witnesses often takes place in parish pastoral centres but many parishes rely on their local primary schools to offer meeting places. Parishes greatly appreciate the offering of such essential practical support.

Since You Shall Be My Witnesses began last November, the programme has taken place in 25 parishes in the Archdiocese of Dublin. Training for the parents leaders is one of the services provided through the Office of Evangelisation. Many parents are very interested in supporting their child’s faith formation. You Shall be My Witnesses offers parents an opportunity to grow in a deeper understanding of their own faith which can only serve to further the ongoing journey of faith for their child. Training and participation in parish sacramental programmes is a form of adult faith formation, so necessary in the church today. Leaders have the opportunity to share their faith with the candidates and hopefully create a space where all can learn from each other.

The programme material includes a Coordinators Book, a Leaders Book as well as a Confirmation Journal for each participant which is used in the group session and at home with parents. A weekly newsletter is given to parents so that they are linked into the content of each session, thereby supporting parents in their role as “first teachers of their child in the ways of faith”. Parents are also invited and encouraged to join with their child by attending a short prayer service which takes place at the end of each session. Certificates of Completion are presented to all the participants at the end of the programme.

You Shall Be My Witnesses explores what it means to belong to the Christian family, what we believe, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and how we can witness to the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The first four sessions take place before the celebration of confirmation and a fifth session takes place after the celebration is over reinforcing the idea that we are not simply preparing for a one day event but that confirmation is the beginning of a new journey as full members of the Church.

The parish programme complements the school curriculum, and supports the valuable work of the teachers and the school. You Shall be My Witnesses often takes place in parish pastoral centres but many parishes rely on their local primary schools to offer meeting places. Parishes greatly appreciate the offering of such essential practical support.

Copies of You Shall be My Witnesses are available from http://www.veritas.ie

 

Leaders

Each group of 8/10 candidates will need two adult leaders.
Leaders can be drawn from any of the following groups:

• parents/guardians of the candidates
• sponsors
• parish community
• young adults (WYD volunteers over 18 years)

All parent leaders require Garda clearance in accordance with the diocesan Safeguarding Children Policy.

Ten Steps to planning You Shall Be My Witnesses programme in your parish.

Step 1 Parish team identifies a person who is familiar with the programme and its structure who will act as coordinator for the programme. This person may be a parent or an individual who is a good organizer.

Step 2 Arrange a meeting with local school principal/s and 6th class teachers to inform them about the programme and to invite their co-operation and support.

Step 3 Gather parents of sixth class to a meeting at least 14 weeks before the confirmation day. Office of Evangelisation can present the confirmation programme.
• At the meeting appeal is made for parent volunteers (2 are needed for each group of 8/10 candidates) plus 3/4 extra in case of sickness.
• Office of Evangelisation agrees dates for 2 nights training and location.
• Garda clearance forms are given to volunteers, completed and sent into the Diocesan Child Welfare Office as soon as possible.

Step 4 Book rooms in the Parish Pastoral Centre/ local National School for candidates groups.
N.B. Groups of young people and their leaders need separate rooms.

Step 5 Letter and permission form goes out to parents through the school.

Step 6 When Permission forms have been received by the agreed date, training for volunteers begins (4 hours over two nights).

Step 7 1-2 weeks later programme begins in the parish.

Step 8 Confirmation day takes place three weeks after the last session.

Step 9 Final session of programme takes place.

Step 10 Evaluation of programme by parents leaders/parish team/confirmation candidates

Some comments from Parent Leaders:

The programme was a great way of involving the children in the spiritual aspects of confirmation in a relaxed way. After week 1, I got a real feel for it. Hope to do it again next year. At home the programme gave our whole family a reason to discuss religion. I enjoyed the programme very much both as a leader and as a parent. It has encouraged me to get to know more about my faith.

Some comments from the Candidates

It showed me what confirmation was really about. What I liked about the programme was the spiritual connection to the other candidates, God and our love for Jesus Christ. That we got to talk about religion and it was fun. I wish it went on for more weeks. It was fun.

 

The next steps:

If you are planning to run this programme in your parish next year,
please contact rlavelle@abhouse.org before August to arrange training and support

Rosemary Lavelle,
Office of Evangelisation,
Holy Cross Diocesan Centre, Clonliffe, Dublin 3.
01 – 8379253 ext. 247