The Order of Christian Initiation for Teens is a program designed to help prepare older high school youth for the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. It’s counterpart for eighth and ninth graders is Chosen. The process may include one or all of the sacraments depending upon where the teen is on their faith journey. There are five elements which make up the Sacramental process: Attendance at Sessions, Be The Church, Retreat, Selection of Sponsor, Selection of Saint.
To inquire about registering your child for the upcoming program year, contact our OCIT Coordinators, Sarah Jerome or Brianna Pavlish.
ATTENDANCE AT SESSIONS: Attendance is expected at all sessions, but we recognize that illness or unforeseen family circumstances may prevent attendance. In 2024-2025, we are building in a grace for four absences as well as the ability to ‘swap sessions’ if an absence is anticipated in advance.
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. The experiences must be completed by May 1, 2025.
THE RETREAT: Candidates are expected to participate in a retreat experience to complete their preparation. Options are listed below, registration information will be shared via email to parents of candidates.
| CHOSEN (8th Grade) | CHOSEN (9th Grade) | OCIT (10th to 12th Grade) |
|---|---|---|
| Edge Retreat Feb. 21 to 23 Camp Thunderbird ($225, candidates only) | Life Teen Retreat Feb. 28 to Mar. 2 Camp Thunderbird ($225, candidates only) | Life Teen Retreat Feb. 28 to Mar. 2 Camp Thunderbird ($225, candidates only) |
| Ignite Retreat Apr. 5 Ballantyne Campus (No cost, parents must attend) | Ignite Retreat Apr. 5 Ballantyne Campus (No cost, parents must attend) | Ignite Retreat Apr. 5 Ballantyne Campus (No cost, parents must attend) |
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. Sponsor Form must be turned in by March 1, 2025.
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. Saint Essay must be turned in by March 1, 2025.
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22
DecSPARK In Session
Sunday, December 22
12:00 am-11:59 pm
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22
DecMass - Life Teen
Sunday, December 22
5:30 pm-6:30 pm
St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA
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29
DecMass - Life Teen
Sunday, December 29
5:30 pm-6:30 pm
St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA
