IGNITE PROGRAM: Candidate’s Responsibility
A youth may enter into this part of the Confirmation process in eighth or ninth grade, provided they have completed the prerequisite INVITED topics, seventh or eighth grade Catholic school or another Catholic parish Faith Formation program. In addition to their formation experience, each youth is encouraged to participate in our parish youth group for middle school (Edge) or high school (Life Teen). Information can be found through the button link at the bottom of the page. If you have any questions specific to your candidate, please reach out to Trish Martin (tmartin@stmatthewcatholic.org).
Teen-Parent Orientation to Confirmation – Aug. 25 or Sep. 1
Please plan on attending one of the orientations which will be held in the Banquet Room on the Ballantyne campus at 10:15 am, 12 pm or 4:30 pm on Sunday, Aug. 25 or Sunday, Sep. 1
STEP ONE – IGNITE TRIMESTER: Candidate must be enrolled in a eight week IGNITE session (choose Fall, Winter or Spring). Attendance is expected at all eight sessions, but we recognize that illness or unforeseen family circumstances may prevent attendance. For that reason, we built in a grace for absences as well as the ability to ‘swap sessions’ as defined at the link below. Please note that if a candidate misses more than two sessions, they will be required to re-enroll and begin the IGNITE program again.
| SUNDAY SESSIONS Ballantyne 7 to 8 pm Waxhaw 6:30 to 7:30 pm | TUESDAY SESSIONS Ballantyne 6:30 to 7:30 pm | WEDNESDAY SESSIONS Waxhaw 6:30 to 7:30 pm |
|---|---|---|
| FALL TRIMESTER Sep. 22 and 29 Oct. 6, 13, 20 and 27 Nov. 10 and 17 | FALL TRIMESTER Sep. 24 Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 Nov. 12 and 19 | FALL TRIMESTER Sep. 25 Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 Nov. 13 and 20 |
| WINTER TRIMESTER Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 Feb. 2, 16 and 23 Mar. 2 | WINTER TRIMESTER Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28 Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25 | WINTER TRIMESTER Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 19 Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26 |
| SPRING TRIMESTER Mar. 9, 16, 23 and 30 Apr. 6, 13 and 27 May 4 | SPRING TRIMESTER Mar. 11, 18 and 25 Apr. 1, 8, 15 and 29 May 6 | SPRING TRIMESTER Mar. 12, 29 and 26 Apr. 2, 9, 16 and 30 May 7 |
STEP TWO – BE THE CHURCH: During the program year, candidates are expected to begin to more closely discern how the Holy Spirit is guiding them to a role in the life of the parish. Each candidate is expected to participate in nine Be The Church experiences. The candidate must submit a reflection of their experiences via the link below. No more than two experiences may be the same and one experience outside of the parish is allowed.
STEP THREE – PARENT-TEEN RETREAT DAY: Candidate and parent must attend a half-day retreat during the trimester in which candidate is enrolled. If a candidate is unable to attend the retreat due to illness or another obligation, the parent must arrange a make-up retreat time with the Office of Faith Formation. Dates for 2024-2025 are Oct. 26, Feb. 22 and Apr. 5.
STEP FOUR – THE SPONSOR: A candidate’s sponsor should be viewed as a lifelong guide in faith. The responsibility of the sponsor is to present the candidate to the Bishop at the Mass of Confirmation and to guide them in the Catholic faith everyday forward. A sponsor must be at least sixteen years of age, a practicing Catholic who has received all Sacraments of Initiation and lives a life of faith abiding by the truths and precepts of the Catholic Church. The sponsor can not be the parent or legal guardian of the candidate. Once chosen, the sponsor will need to complete the form found at the link below, or provide a letter from their home parish.
STEP FIVE – THE SAINT: Candidates will choose a saint to be their heavenly prayer champion and lifelong guide. The chosen will be the name used during the anointing and will be entered into the sacramental records alongside the candidate’s given baptismal name. Only names of canonized or beatified (blessed) saints recognized by the Catholic Church can be chosen as confirmation saints. Candidates are expected to write a personal reflection at least three paragraphs in length which tells of who you are, who your saint is and why you feel a connection to this saint.
Thank you for allowing us the privilege of supporting your family through the Sacramental process.