Lifeteen
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Two Sundays a month
6:30pm-8:30pm
St. Mark School/GymLifeteen (formerly named "The Way") is a classical youth ministry program focused on leading high school teens (grades 9-12) to Christ and allowing the Young Church the space to step into its own as the faith is passed onto the next generation. At Lifeteen, students will experience community-building activities, praise and worship, large group presentations, and small group breakouts.
Sessions are two Sundays a month, 6:30pm-8:30pm, at St. Mark Catholic School in the gym. See the calendar for session dates!
Download Lifeteen 2024-25 Calendar -
How do youth prepare for Confirmation?
At St. Mark, teens can celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of their 10th grade (sophomore) year at the earliest. We are here to assist families and their children in discerning the Sacrament of Confirmation, a process that is taken very seriously.
A teen should only enroll and participate in our Confirmation program when they feel they are ready. It's important they make this choice out of their own free will.
At St. Mark, we do not separate "Youth Ministry" and "Confirmation Class." All high school teens, through their participation in Lifeteen, receive their required sacramental formation for Confirmation. Teens must be enrolled and participate in the program for two consecutive years (following diocesan guidelines) and complete the following requirements. -
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Requirements for Receiving Sacrament of Confirmation
Baptismal Certificate: Proof of baptism is required during the first year of preparation.
Lifeteen: Youth must regularly attend Lifeteen for two (2) consecutive years. They cannot have more than four (4) absences a year.
Joyfully Gifted Retreat*: During the first year of preparation, teens must attend one Joyfully Gifted Retreat. There will be two Joyfully Gifted Retreats offered annually.
Advent or Triduum Retreat*: During the second year of preparation, teens must attend one Advent or Triduum Retreat at St. Mark.
Service Component: Following their attendance of a Joyfully Gifted Retreat, teens are asked to find a person, St. Mark ministry, or community organization that uses their spiritual gifts. There is no minimum hour required rather a heart for building God's kingdom. Teens will have to write and turn in a one-paragraph description of the service provided and an explanation of what spiritual gifts were used.
*If your child is unable to attend one of these retreats, it is their responsibility to attend a Confirmation retreat at another parish within the Diocese of Raleigh. They will need to provide the Youth Minister with an email or note from the parish where the retreat was held to confirm their attendance. -
Support for Confirmation Candidate
A supportive family will greatly benefit a teen in the discernment process for Confirmation! Here are a few requirements and expectations of families and teens in our Confirmation program.
Registered Parishioners: Families should be registered parishioners at St. Mark Catholic Church, attend Mass regularly, and participate in the life of the faith community.
Parent Workshop: Parent(s) must attend one (1) required Confirmation Parent Workshop during their child's 2-year Confirmation preparation. -
Choosing a Sponsor
Each Confirmation candidate will choose a sponsor. Sponsors may be older siblings, grandparents, other family members, or friends. Parents may not be sponsors.
Sponsor Requirements:
Sponsors must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist in the Catholic Church.
Sponsors must be at least 16 years old.
If married, sponsors must be married in the Catholic Church.
Sponsors must also complete a Sponsor Form and have it signed by their home parish and returned to the Youth Minister by December 31st of the 2nd year of preparation.
To better understand their role and assist their Confirmation candidate through their formation process, sponsors have the option of attending an online Sponsor Workshop. -
Post-Confirmation
Filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, our newly confirmed are ready to set the world ablaze!
Teens who have already been confirmed will continue in Lifeteen and be placed with their peers at Sunday sessions or retreats in small groups. Small group discussions will focus on deepening personal Christ-centered relationships by using God's stories and understanding how these stories of faith tradition intersect and relate to each person's life. We encourage our young people to go confidently into the world as disciples and build the Kingdom of God!
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FAQs
What happens if a teen is unable to meet the requirements?
If a teen misses more than the minimum required number of sessions, is unable to complete the service component, and/or provide the appropriate and necessary paperwork, they will be placed in a "deferred" status and will continue to attend Lifeteen until the celebration of Confirmation in the following year.
Please discuss any extraordinary situations that may prevent your child from completing the requirements with the Youth Minister. Adjustments and adaptations may be considered.
What adaptations are available for a teen with special needs or circumstances?
A conversation with the Youth Minister is always welcome to discuss any possible accommodations for teens with special needs or circumstances. -
Register for Lifeteen
Registration for Lifeteen can be completed online or by downloading, printing, and completing the form. Once complete, please return your registration form to the parish office.
Register for Lifeteen Online
Register for Lifeteen Using Print Form -
Contact
Contact [email protected] or (910) 398-6510 for more information.
