The idea of requiring service hours for Confirmation seems sound enough. Leading others in the ministry of service is one of the six tasks of catechesis and is important not only to Confirmation preparation but also to all catechesis. However, for service to be a legitimate part of any catechetical program, it has to be more than an end in itself. Service is an effective part of catechesis when we allow the ministry itself to teach. And like so many lessons it is best learned in, with and through community.

In my book, Practical Catechesis: Visions and Tasks for Catechetical Leaders, I talk about “The Catechesis of Service” and how important it is to understand that service is more than a project. For Christians, young and old, service should be an attitude, a way of life. I discuss learning about service by observing and participating with the community.

I also think it is important to create opportunities for service involving all age groups. In Practical Catechesis I talk about a particular intergenerational service project called “Share the Bounty” that I inaugurated at each of the parishes where I’ve worked. It involves sharing Halloween candy with young adult parishioners who are away from home. It might be appropriate this year to share our bounty with other young people who are unable to go “trick or treating” because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. (Click here to learn more about the catechesis of service as well as this particular service activity.)

Consider how Jesus taught his disciples about service: Service was never just an action—it was a way of life. It was only after years of walking with the disciples that Jesus sent them out to serve, and then he made sure they never went out alone.

I remember teaching young people who were preparing for Confirmation that this sacrament invites us to be open to the Holy Spirit—open not only to receive the Spirit but also to share the Spirit. When the bishop makes the sign of the cross with oil on their heads, they should consider themselves blessed and commissioned to share that Spirit with everyone they encounter.

I know I’ve mentioned before that one of the highlights of my past year has been serving as a Confirmation sponsor for two special young women in my life. My friend and neighbor, Teresa, was confirmed in April. My niece and goddaughter , Brittany, will be confirmed in late October. Both parishes—one in Ohio, the other in Indiana—required and helped facilitate sponsor-candidate sharing on the topics covered in the preparation processes.

I talk and write about my faith all the time, but it’s different initiating one-on-one faith sharing with a quiet 14 year old. I really appreciated the requirement and assistance the parishes gave us in connecting on faith topics. I met with Teresa at one of our homes. Brittany and I did most of our communication via e-mail. What each parish asked us to do was different but the intent was the same: to talk together about our faith lives. I not only grew closer to these two girls through our sharing but also learned that some sort of regular, required sponsor-candidate interaction with specific tasks or questions helps people make a faith connection.

I’ve selected a clip from the teaching segment of Handing on the Faith: Forming Confirmation Sponsors to share with you (RealMedia | Windows Media). This video was designed to help catechetical leaders offer Confirmation sponsors formation that’s not a waste of their time. Its four segments (story, witness, teaching and music video [prayer]) can be used separately or together to enhance a sponsor meeting that’s tailored to the needs of your candidates’ sponsors. Those looking for more specific instruction on the Sacrament of Confirmation itself will also find useful the video Sealed With God’s Spirit: Sacrament of Confirmation. This video also contains a fantastic story segment that can be used as a discussion starter when candidates and sponsors come together for a formation event or retreat.

Remember, make every sacramental preparation meeting for parents and sponsors a true adult faith-formation gathering. Consider the needs of those participating. Be creative in helping facilitate faith connections between sponsors and candidates. And don’t waste anybody’s time—theirs or yours!

Choosing a patron saint is still a popular activity for those preparing for Confirmation. Looking for stories about different saints? Try Saint of the Day edited by Franciscans Leonard Foley and Pat McCloskey or Treasury of Women Saints by Ronda De Sola Chervin. For younger confirmandi, Saints and Heroes for Kids by Ethel Pochocki offers stories about more than three dozen saints and holy people.

Confirmation classes—especially with high school students—tend to bring up a lot of questions about “things Catholic:” “Why do Catholics do that?” “Do Catholics really believe that?” Catholic Questions, Wise Answers and Catholic Questions, Catholic Answers offer lots of concise answers to some pretty common (and some obscure) questions. And Al Kresta’s books, Why Do Catholics Genuflect? and Why Are Catholics So Concerned About Sin?, are also informative (and entertaining) collections of questions and answers.

Finally, a couple of books full of entertaining stories about growing up in a Catholic family are Coffee With Nonna and More Coffee With Nonna by Servant author Vincent Iezzi. They provide wonderful stories that might grab those adolescent attentions for just a little longer.