This year the Diocese confirmed close to 8,000 youth and young adults. But over the years there has been a growing number of adults receiving the Sacrament. At some parishes the number of those confirmed as adults or who have undergone the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) process approaches the number youth being confirmed.
After completing their initiation, the opportunities for service and ministry widen. Each age group offers gifts and talents that enrich parish life. Faith formation leaders agree that common among both is an enthusiasm for their faith. When the enthusiasm is nurtured and channeled toward parish activities and ministries, the youth and adults remain active in their faith.
“With the adults, there is more of a desire,” said Brenda Diaz, Director of Catechetical Ministries at St. Thomas the Apostle in Riverside. “They call us. The fire is there. They want more.”
A convert from Judaism, Diaz, herself, went through the RCIA process in 2009. She knows full well the enthusiasm and desire to serve after receiving the Sacraments of Initiation.
“Most of my adults want to come back and get involved,” she said. “They come back to be involved in RCIA, catechesis, as Eucharistic ministers or they get involved with other ministries.”
While some adults who prepare for Confirmation receive the Sacrament because they want to be married in the Church, several come forward because they feel a strong desire to grow in their faith. Regardless of their initial intentions, the formation process helps to build fellowship and community among the individuals.
Once they are reintroduced to the faith and its teachings, Confirmandi are encouraged to join parish ministries.
At St. Anthony Parish, Upland, Adult Confirmation Candidates take a gifts assessment during their formation. In the Mystagogia stage that follows the Rite of Confirmation, they learn how to apply those gifts.
“From the beginning I tell them that this is not just being a mature Christian in the Church, but this is about being an active Christian in the Church,” said Richard Simpson, adult confirmation coordinator at St. Anthony.
Incorporating the gifts assessment in confirmation preparation has inspired some candidates to join ministries following their Confirmation.
“In recent years, we have seen the [newly] confirmed get involved in music, youth ministry and outreach programs,” said Simpson. “They are outgoing and energetic.”
While a large number of teens and adults reduce their involvement following Confirmation, those who do remain active share their enthusiasm with the parish community.
At Corpus Christi Parish, the youth are very much a part of the community, both before and after confirmation.
“The youth offer the gift of being so enthusiastic in loving God,” said Molina Erb, youth minister and confirmation coordinator at Corpus Christi Parish, Corona. “They do it from a youth perspective,”
Erb makes sure youth are involved in the planning and execution of parish events.
“Some adults believe youth are disconnected from the faith and are too involved in technology,” Erb said. “I get the youth involved so that the adults won’t be so fearful of what the youth have to offer.”
Integrating the youth in parish ministries and activities helps keep the youth involved after they are confirmed. Parishes hold sign ups or introduce the youth to ministry leaders as their confirmation date nears.
To ensure youth have a place in parish life after Confirmation, Erb developed two new ministries for youth and young adults. The FUEL ministry for 16-18 year olds and the Core Leadership Team for young adults assist in developing programs and formation sessions for the teens still in the Confirmation process.
As a result, the youth and confirmation programs at the parish have grown. Erb believes empowering the recently confirmed is the reason why the youth and Confirmation ministries have grown in recent years.