High School Religious Education/Confirmation

 09/08/24 (Mandatory meeting for ALL parents & Confirmandi)

*All 11th graders preparing for Confirmation*

  (SCAHS, St. Joseph Catholic Academy & Homeschooled Students) 

are required to attend an opening class on Sept. 8th, 2024 from 1:15pm-2:30pm in the church.

Eleventh grade students CCD students will meet with Deacon David Lapinski, according to his schedule for two Sundays each month: The Dates for 2024/2025 are: 09/08, 9/22, 10/06, 10/20, 11/03, 11/17, 12/08, 01/12, 01/26, 02/02 -Paul J. Kim Retreat, 02/16, 03/02, 03/16, 04/06. All dates are subject to change.  This is not likely.  However, if that happens, Deacon Dave will be in touch with parents and students.  ALL Eleventh grade students are who are in the OLV religious education program are required to attend these classes.  St. Joseph's Catholic Academy & Homeschool students are welcome to join.

11th  Grade (SCAHS, St. Joseph Catholic Academy & Homeschooled Students) Grade Confirmation program components:

Parent/Youth Meeting for all students:  

09/08/24, 1:15pm-2:30pm @ the Church

Opportunities for Discipleship

1. 11th Grade Retreat: Discipleship ZOOM Retreat through Bethany Retreat Services.  Please see Deacon Dave to sign your child up if you have not already.  The dates for this series of online retreats are: TBD (If a Confirmandi does not have a sponsor yet at the time of this retreat, a parent must attend this ZOOM retreat with their child.)

2. Confirmation Prep Talks for all Confirmation Track students enrolled in our religious education program will be given by Paul J Kim on Sunday, Feb. 2 of 2025 here at OLV in the Activity Center Social Hall & Church.   Dinner will be provided for attending Confirmation Track Teens.  Paul J. Kim is an international Catholic speaker, musician, and comedian. His presentations have impacted people of all ages in 48 states and 16 countries over the past decade, leading them to life-changing encounters with Christ.  

3. Adoration with our Diocesan Bishop: Most Reverend Mark L. Bartchak.  Time this year is 11/16/24.

25 Hrs. of Community Service

Confirmtation students will need to document 

25 hours of community during their time in high school.

Get involved with parish life to continue your journey

after you are Confirmed as an adult in our church!

Church Sponsored Service Activities

Individual community service opportunities
 

             a. Serve mass. Older altar servers are great models to help train the younger students.

             b. Be a lector, commentator or usher at mass.  Please contact the Parish office at 814-237-7832 if interested.

• Lectors proclaim the Scriptures during the celebration of the Mass. They must be Catholics who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist and regularly receive the Sacraments. Lectors prepare the readings with prayerful reflection and are skilled in speaking clearly and confidently. Lectors are prepared for this ministry by a parishioner appointed by the Pastor.

• Commentators read the General Intercessions in the absence of a deacon. They may also make announcements before Mass or following the Prayer after Communion. Commentators are trained with the Lectors.

            c.  Serve as a volunteer for the Jared Box Project: Mrs. Cindy Kolarik needs volunteers for data entry work        

               regarding contacts across the country for the Jared Box Project: https://thejaredbox.org/.  This is great for those

               who need flexible volunteer hours.  Please contact her if you are interested: cindy@thejaredbox.org.

            d. Volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop: https://www.stvincentstatecollege.org/

         Group service Opportunities

Community Service Hours Form This includes a description of what you did and a brief reflection regarding how you felt about serving others. This form must be signed by a parent.  Hours do not have to be in addition to required hours for school.

    a. Participate in the Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by OLV CCD Confirmation Track Students; 03/29/25.

•   Sign up here to participate as a volunteer the day of the Blood Drive:            

  • Check ins

  • Canteen Station

  • Publicity Team: Bulletin Announcemnets, Pulpit Announcement, Posters, Digital Marketing

• Canvas our area to enlist people in signing up to donate:

  • For an appointment, please visit RedCrossBlood.org (Will be published closer to drive date.)

  • Search for: OLVconfirmation  (Will be published closer to drive date.)

  • Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

    b. Serve as a volunteer for Vacation Bible School & Earn 15-20 service hours for the year by volunteering for that week.

    c. Volunteer at the Parish Bazaar the first Saturday every November.

               d.  Serve as a volunteer for parish parties, such as the All Saints & St. Nicholas Parties. 

               e.  Sing with the church choir.   Are you in choir or band at school?  You can earn your community service hours using your  talents as a volunteer for our parish music ministry.  Be a cantor, sing with the choir, play your instrument at one of our masses with or without the choir.  Contact our music director, Joe Malafarina: joem@ourladyofvictory.com if  you are willing to volunteer.

               f.  Participate in Living Stations during the months before Easter.  Earn ALL your service hours for the year! Contact the coordinator, Mrs. Sue Clement, for more information: sueseitzclement@hotmail.com 

                *Non-Speaking Actor

                *State Crew

                *Narrator  

        g.  Volunteer with the Knights of Columbus at Penn State Home Football Game Concession Stands.  Monies earned fund K of C projects which benefit our parish.   If you are interested and available please email: koc.volunteers@gmail.com Here are some things to consider when thinking about volunteering:

• Students must be at least 16 years of age.

• Parents are welcome to volunteer.

• Transportation costs (such as the Game Day Shuttle) will be reimbursed.

• Students will receive no less than six (6) Service Hours!  Yeah! 

11th grade contact; Deacon David Lapinski: deacondcfl@aol.com

Confirmation Rehearsal: Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 @ 6:30pm in church

Confirmation Date: Monday, June 2nd, 2025 @ 6:00pm in church 

(Confirmandi & Sponsor report no later that 5:30pm)

Q: Why does my child need service hours to be Confirmed?

A: The idea is to get your child involved in parish ministry and life of the church.  If they do this when they are young, and it becomes part of their life, they are more likely to continue to serve their parish and our church, wherever they live in the future.  Our kids are the future of our church.  They need to serve the church as the church will need to minister to them.  A relationship takes work from both groups; the church and its people.  Our goal is to prepare Confirmation Track students to be an active parishioners the rest of their lives.  We want them to feel welcome and see the spiritual and social benefits of being involved in parish ministry.  Self-giving is an important lesson that needs to be taught early.  Confirmation is not graduation from the Catholic Church.  It should be the beginning of life as an adult within our church!