Religious Education

High School Confirmation

“The purpose of the Mission Basilica San Buenaventura Confirmation Process for High Schoolers is to "hand on the Faith" to these youth as they choose to deepen their commitment to Jesus Christ and His Church by completing their initiation into the Catholic Church.

*Teens who have not recieved the Sacraments of Batpistm and/or 1st Holy Commuion can still register for Confirmation. Additional sessions for each Sacrament will be required during their 2nd year of formation.

"The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285)

With this understanding, we invite the youth of our parish to register themselves in the Confirmation Process for a two year period, which consists of a three hour session twice a month on Sundays which includes Mass.

Registrations generally take place mid-May through the end of August. Classes begin the last Sunday of August and conclude in May/June of the following year.

The total number of sessions for each year is minimal. Therefore, we stress the importance of regular attendance and being on time for each session in order for the youth to learn consistency, dependability and responsibility. 

These Youth are asked to give service to others as an essential part of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and as an expression of their deeper commitment to Jesus Christ, who "came to serve and be served." (Matthew 20:28)

The Confirmation Process consists of people of the parish giving freely of their time and of themselves to serve as catechists (teachers of the faith), helpers and retreat chaperones because of their love for God and His youth. Many of our catechists and helpers have volunteered hours and hours every year.

Who are these "teachers of the faith"? They are adults who have accepted the call to share God's love with the youth and the challenge to pass on what they themselves have learned of our Catholic faith. There is so much to share of God and his love! We heartily INVITE ANY CONFIRMED ADULT who would like to join our team of catechists and helpers -- please give us a call or send us an email. We will utilize your talents and also give you training.

For more information, contact:

Elwin Arroyo

Youth Coordinator

805-643-4318, ext. 206

805-804-5301 (text)

youngadults@sanbuenaventuramission.org

The purpose of the Mission Basilica San Buenaventura's Order of Christian Initiation is to welcome any adult who wishes to explore deeper the Catholic Christian Faith and to "hand on the Faith" to those adults who seek and are accepted for the Sacraments of Initiation -- Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

"The mysteries of Christ's life are the foundations of what He would henceforth dispense in the sacraments, through the ministers of His Church, for "what was visible in our Savior has passed over into His mysteries." Sacraments are "powers that comes forth" from the Body of Christ, which is ever-living and life-giving. They are actions of the Holy Spirit at work in His Body, the Church. They are "the masterworks of God" in the new and everlasting covenant." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1115-1116)

The Church recognizes this treasure received from Christ and as the "faithful steward of God's mysteries," has established a process of initiating adults into its Faith. The "Order of Christian Initiation of Adults" or OCIA is this process in which each person who has set out on a spiritual journey of a personal relationship with Christ and His Church is given the support and encouragement by the parish community through its priests, catechists, sponsors, and times of communal prayers.

We invite all adults -- the unbaptized, those baptized in other Christian traditions, those baptized Catholics who have not been catechized and received all the sacraments of Initiation and those who merely want to be renewed in their Faith -- to "come and see" (John 1:46) and participate in the OCIA.

The OCIA Process may extend for a period of nine months to a year or longer, depending on the individual's spiritual journey with Christ, a journey which continues throughout life. The OCIA faith community gathers on a weekly basis for one and a half hour sessions.

The OCIA is a time of, not only learning the doctrines of the Church, but also it is a time of conversion, a time of examining and purifying the motives for conversion, a time of initiation into the mystery of salvation and the practice of evangelical virtues, and a time of introduction into the life of faith, liturgy and charity of the People of God. Adults who enter this process are asked to cooperate in the building up of the Church and its work of evangelization by the example of their lives and the profession of their faith. (cf. Vatican Council II, Missionary Activity,13,14)

The OCIA Process consists of people of the parish giving freely of their time and of themselves to serve as catechists (teachers of the faith), sponsors and helpers because of their love for God and His people. Many of our catechists, sponsors and helpers have volunteered hours and hours every year.

Who are these "teachers of the faith?" They are adults who have accepted the call to share God's love with others and the challenge to pass on what they themselves have experienced of our Catholic faith. There is so much to share of God and his love! We heartily INVITE ANY CONFIRMED ADULT who would like to join our team of catechists, sponsors and helpers -- please give us a call or send us an email. We will utilize your talents and also give you training.

For more information, contact:

Sr. Mary Rose Chinn, +JMJ

Catechetical Leader / Faith Formation

805-643-4318, ext. 205

805-613-7503 (text)

sistermaryrose@sanbuenaventuramission.org