Young People Prepare
for Confirmation
Julia Ashes has kindly taken time to write an article on how the young people are being prepared to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in a few weeks.
One of the greatest privileges of being a lay Chaplain is being alongside young people as they grow in faith. I have been much heartened by the twenty-two young people from our school who have said ‘Yes’ to Jesus in a world that often ignores or rejects Him.
Our preparations to receive the Sacrament have been hand in hand with parish preparation. Those from St Gregory’s parish will be attending a day of prayer and reflection at Our Lady’s with Fr Grant and a team of catechists, Those from Holy Rosary parish and St George’s have been meeting with me over lunchtimes.
Julia Ashes
Chaplain at Maricourt
The Catechism says that the main effect of the gift of this Sacrament is the ‘full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles’ We cannot comprehend with human eyes and hearts alone what this must mean! The deep joy and excitement the apostles must have felt must have been infectious and it is with this sense of joy that I encourage our young people to seek the Lord. Each day we have been united in a common prayer ‘Holy Spirit, guide me!’
I have followed the Animate youth ministry team confirmation preparation structure as it has been planned to compliment both the classroom and parish preparation programme.
Called by Name
This is the first stage of Confirmation preparation for year 8 students.
Animate, the Archdiocesan youth ministry team, came to Maricourt and lead engaging, peer-led sessions introducing the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Using games, activities, and personal stories from Ellie, Lauren, and Fr Simon the session highlighted how the Sacrament supports young people as they begin facing more significant life choices.
Called to Serve provided the main catechetical input on Confirmation and took place in dedicated RE lessons.
Using resources developed by the Diocesan Education Department, the RE team have explored the Sacrament through scripture, reflection, and real-life experiences. Pupils have learned about the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, reflected on the Apostles’ Creed and Baptismal Promises, and explored the meaning of signs and symbols like anointing.
The focus was on how Confirmation empowers our live as priest, prophet, and king. By rooting the Sacrament in scripture and everyday life, this stage lays a strong theological foundation from which they can build.
What will receiving the Sacrament mean in daily life?
Called to Community
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To engage in different activities as chosen for the local community.
These parish-based sessions focus on what Confirmation means in daily Church life. While the theology is covered in school, this stage helps young people explore the Church’s role in their lives—and their role in the Church—through discussion, activities, and community engagement.
Called to Action
Called to Action is the final stage of the Confirmation journey, in which I reminded young people that the Sacrament is not the end of the process, but a call to live out their faith in the world.
I have encouraged them to seek opportunities to get involved in Church life and Chaplaincy at school
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Please pray for our Confirmands in the coming weeks and months and let us unite in our prayer ‘Holy Spirit, guide me!’