The Tuesday before the Thursday

This week, the 9th graders that I have been working with since last September will be confirmed at the Cathedral. Back in September, I would have never dreamed what this day would feel like. I was new at the parish I work at, and didn't feel like I completely knew what I was doing. Let me tell you, God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes I wonder how I got these teenagers this far... without turning them away from the Church ;)
Over the past month, I have been reminded of my own confirmation (forgive me if this sounds a bit cliche). But during the exit interviews that the teens had to go through, they had to name and define the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (I often had to help them articulate what they were trying to say). But I will tell you this, I was impressed by their responses. Their answers were all very thoughtful and I could really see that they were taking the decision to be confirmed very seriously.
Back in January, I didn't think confirmation would ever come and I was worried that the teens would never decide to go through with it. But I was shown that my work means nothing unless I entrust it to the Almighty. I began praying more and more for the confirmation candidates... my prayers usually began with, "Lord please let them decide to get confirmed." And I guess God listened.
I can't tell you how proud I feel for these kids. I am so happy for them, but I think I will be sad to know that after this, some of them will go their separate ways and I won't see them again. Others, I will still see occasionally at Mass. And then those who decide to really truly invest in the parish, I will see every Sunday at the youth group.
Going into my second year as a youth minister will be very different. There is so much more that I will know. And so much more that I can be prepared for. Thank God I had no idea how much work I was going to put into this year :) I'm sure I would have doubted that God put me here and that he would help me at every moment.
Earlier today I wrote an article for our bulletin about the importance of confirmation for high school students. I was inspired when I read an article on adolescent spirituality. Read it, it has some good insights. There is so much that we are up against when we are trying to form our identity as Catholics. The world will tell us one thing, while God is reaching for us to listen to his awesome plan for us!