Confirmation Teens will participate in at least 4 Service Projects sponsored by St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal during their year of preparation. The purpose of Service during Confirmation preparation is to demonstrate the close relationship between faith and action. The Confirmation Candidatecan identify, develop and place his/her gifts and talents at the service of others. Service should be an intentional part of Christian formation from the time of our Baptism until the time of our Death.
In the past, we required a set number of hours of Service. However, we feel it is far more productive for the Candidates to participate in well-planned service opportunities with time for follow-up reflections than to create a large number of hour requirements that have to be completed. The focus is to develop growth as a disciple who can generously identify and respond to the needs of others. It is this spirit which is an essential characteristic of Christian discipleship rather than completing an absolute number of service hours.
Service Project Ideas:
● Sundays September 17th - December 3
Middle School Youth Group Assistance (Counts as 1 project)
● Sunday January 21st - April 21
Middle School Youth Group Assistance (Counts as 1 Project)
● Weekends - Serving at Mass as a lector, choir, usher, or altar serving.
(Counts as ½ Project per semester or 1 Project per year)
“In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- Acts 20:35
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (CCC) 1889, 1926, 1932, 1889
This is the path of charity, that is, of the love of God and of neighbor. Charity is the greatest social commandment. It respects others and their rights. It requires the practice of Justice, and it alone makes us capable of it. Charity inspires a life of self-giving: “Whosoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (Luke 17:33)
The dignity of the human person requires the pursuit of the common good. Everyone should be concerned to create and support institutions that improve the conditions of human life.
The duty of making oneself a neighbor to others and actively serving them becomes even more urgent when it involves the disadvantaged, in whatever area this may be. “As you did it to the least of my brethren, you did it to me.” (Mt 25:40)