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There are a number of different ways this course could be run.
At St Martin’s, Ruislip, we have structured things so that the course, which is known as ‘Junior Journey in Faith’, operates as part of a longer Wednesday evening.
The sessions for young people begin at 6.00pm sharp and end at 7.00pm, after which there is a period of 15 minutes during which those participating can prepare for the Wednesday evening Mass which they all attend, alongside the usual congregation, with their sponsors and parents. The adult Journey in Faith (Confirmation) course follows this Mass and so those participating in that course also attend the Wednesday evening Mass.
The Wednesday evening Eucharist, when it coincides with the Journey in Faith and Junior Journey in Faith courses, is described as a Catechumenal Mass. During this Eucharist, which follows Common Worship, Order 1, each week the priest explains a different part of the service, working through from the Introduction to the Dismissal, so that over the period of the course there is teaching about the structure and shape of the Eucharist, so helping both the junior and adult candidates (and their sponsors/parents etc.) to gain a better insight into what we do and say as part of our worship.
For the Catechumenal Masses we provide a reading, psalm, psalm response, gospel acclamation and gospel passage which relate directly to the session which has just been run – so that the worship and session tie closely together.
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As noted, this is how the course has been run in our parish, over a period of around five months or so each year.
Although the course has been written with the idea of a child working with their parent in mind, there is no reason that these materials could not be used for teenagers or young adults, or, indeed, anyone at all. If used in such a context, it may be best to adapt the way the sheets are used, perhaps having the leader also use the parent's worksheet to develop the candidate.
The order of the sessions is adjusted so that the session on Holy Week occurs at the end of Lent and, thus, before Holy Week. The Confirmation candidates are encouraged to attend the services for the great three days of the Easter Triduum.
In another context the sessions could be used after a Sunday Eucharist, or as a stand-alone course.
Although they have been designed as a course which will provide completely for Confirmation candidates, it could be used piecemeal if that is preferred.
We would love to hear from you how you are using the course material – do let us know.