Creating Tomorrow's Leaders Through Inspiration and Innovation

By Carissa Krautscheid

The 26 newly Confirmed teens from St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish received a slightly different type of formation before their Confirmation by Bishop Edward Weisenburger on November 10, 2022. After completing traditional catechesis, 12 young adult mentors joined the sessions, led by Fr. Emanuel “Manu” Franco-Gomez, O.Carm., and Karen Brady. 

Fr. Manu brought with him a new vision of formation: a process rather than a program. Fr. Manu began working in Catholic education in 2007. In his previous four years as Chaplain of Salpointe Catholic High School, Fr. Manu led Kairos retreats every other month or so. During these retreats, juniors and seniors unfolded gradually and opened up about their vulnerabilities and honest relationships with God. For many, Kairos is life-changing and for everyone, it is eye-opening and unifying.

Similarly in this unique Confirmation “process”, Fr. Manu hoped that the teens would put aside the memorization of facts and figures to make time for an authentic relationship with God and their peers. For the nine weeks prior to Confirmation, teens gathered for faith discussions in small groups, led by two peer mentors each. Perhaps without realizing it, the teens read college-level theology books such as The Holy Longing by Ronald Rolheiser and Happiness and the Christian Moral Life by Paul Wadell. Each week included a mentor’s personal reflection on the assigned chapter followed by discussion questions in small and large groups. Fr. Manu and Mrs. Brady guided the conversations and encouraged participation and reflection. The young adult mentors helped teens to feel more comfortable and encouraged them to open up about their faith journeys and insights.


Simultaneously, a parent session took place, led by Peggy Guerrero and Jeanette Apaez-Gutierrez who had been formation leaders with Jordan Ministry Team. Parents covered similar topics as their kids and gradually opened up and shared about their own faith. It was a parent support group to aid parents in continuing faith formation in the home after the weekly meetings.

“The parents are grateful that this is a safe space and a faith space for their kids,” said Peggy. “That happens because of peer and adult leaders.”

Why Church?

This team of leaders, and all Christians for that matter, are comprised of many different types of people, much like the Twelve Apostles were each different but all called to follow Christ. 

“You don’t have to like every single person you see at Mass,” said Fr. Manu, “but we realize that Jesus is the one bringing everyone together. Strive to see Jesus in them. The only way to be welcoming and loving to all people is for the community to be based on Christ.”

Fr. Manu observed that “young people feel pressured to conform to certain standards. But you can’t get the answers that way. We all just want a place to be honest and vulnerable. Church should be a place where you can be yourself. You can come here. Just breathe. Ask. Learn. You need to be part of the Truth.”

 

During one session, the discussion centered on the question, “Why Church?” Teens expressed honest reasons for why or why not to go to church, be involved at the parish, and continue going to Mass after high school. Teens shared insight to their struggles, existing or anticipated, in continuing to go to Church, as well as their hopes and reasons for “competing well, finishing the race, and keeping the faith” (2 Tim 4:7).

• “You might not want to come to church because of bad stuff, but you should come to church so you can be part of a better future.”
• “In college and after, you won’t be held accountable by your parents. You need to decide for yourself and build an individual relationship with God.”
• “Start your own tradition. Invite your own friends to church.”
• “Use your unique gift to grow closer to God.”

Despite a myriad of reasons, as well as opportunities to pray outside of church, Catholics go to Mass because of the Eucharist. The real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is what sets our faith apart. Even when you’re tired, worn down, uncertain, or afraid, keep coming back to Mass. You never know what you’ll hear in the Scriptures that might lift you out of despair, and you can count on Jesus being there in the Eucharist every single time. 

One quiet yet reliably insightful teen shared, “For your entire life, you will have two people in your life: you and God. When everyone else leaves you, you will be left in a room alone with God. Eventually you’ll have to face Him.”

Confirmation does not end at the Mass with Bishop Weisenburger. Confirmation is Day One of your mature spirituality, filled with and inspired by the gifts of the Holy Spirit.