Peers, adults teach teens

At Holy Trinity parish in Schaghticoke, faith formation for Confirmation students is on the cutting edge, thanks to the director, Cheri Foster.

"We re-evaluate our program every couple of years; and if it needs updating, we do that," she said.

This year, for example, 11th-graders will go on an overnight retreat in February to Albany, a component of the program that recently changed.

"Up until last year, our students were attending a three-day, two-night retreat," Mrs. Foster explained. "We reduced the length."

Peer ministry

What remains the same is that the previous year's Confirmation students return to minister to their peers.

"We have found that they act as a powerful tool in helping the current students more thoroughly understand the meaning of the sacrament," Mrs. Foster said. "Those already confirmed come as ministers, and their presence empowers the students."

In addition, an adult team of ministers participates in the retreat. "We have found [adult presence] to be a very effective tool for our students who are discerning the sacrament," she noted. "Since the effects of Confirmation will last a life time and since community service is an important component of preparation, we want them to be as prepared as possible. Our adult ministers provide that perspective."

Parental involvement is also very important, she added, even if parents don't directly participate in the retreat.

Long-term commitment

Mrs. Foster has been involved with the faith formation program at Holy Trinity for 19 years. She began as a catechist and eventually became director of the program.

In that time, she has seen pastors come and go; but, for the most part, the faith formation program has remained intact.

"Sometimes, a new pastor has new ideas," she said. "We occasionally change the books we use or the days and times of faith formation. But we basically follow the same format."

(Holy Trinity is comprised of three formerly separate parishes, St. John the Baptist in Schaghticoke, Our Lady of Good Counsel in Valley Falls and St. Monica's in Johnsonville. About 200 students are enrolled in the program.)

(11/18/04)