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New Faith Formation Program for Cathedral Teens
Bonnie Martinez, Cathedral of St. John Berchmans Sacramental Preparation Assistant
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN BERCHMANS IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW YOUTH MINISTRY, TEEN FAITH FORMATION. The mission of the Teen Faith Formation ministry is to continue to provide formal faith formation for students after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, as well as to support parents’ encouragement to their children to be “true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.” (Catechism The Teen Faith Formation ministry focuses on spirituality and service projects that address the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. Student participation in the service projects helps our high school students mature in their Catholic faith as they are guided by the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, received during the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be “the hands and feet of Jesus.”
The 150th Commemoration of the Shreveport Yellow Fever Epidemic has afforded the Teen Faith Formation ministry unique historical opportunities. Dr. Cheryl White, LSUS History Professor, Oakland Preservation Board Vice President, and Cathedral Director of Religious Education provided an “Historic Haunts of Shreveport” exclusive tour of the Oakland Cemetery on September 21st. The tour ended at the construction site of the Yellow Fever Mound Memorial where Father Raney Johnson led the group in praying the Litany for the Dead, a Spiritual Work of Mercy. The Cathedral Confirmand and parents joined in this community of faith opportunity.
Members of the Teen Faith Formation ministry greeted and distributed event programs to participants attending the Dedication of the Yellow Fever Mass Grave Memorial at the Oakland Cemetery on October 7th. The students witnessed a Corporal Work of Mercy, “Bury the Dead,” as the mass burial site of the nearly 800 poor souls and victims of the Yellow Fever Epidemic was finally memorialized in history. Blessings of Memorial for the Mass Grave were provided by representatives from Shreveport’s religious communities, an ecumenical experience for the teens.
The monthly Sunday morning Teen Faith Formation meetings begin with scripture and prayer, followed by an overview of the nonprofit that will benefit from the upcoming service project. The following nonprofits are excited about the 2023-2024 Teen Faith Formation service projects: Mary’s House “Embrace Grace,” Gingerbread House, Oakland Cemetery Preservation Society, Volunteers of America, Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home, and Highland Center Ministries. As the teens plan and implement their service projects throughout the year, they explore God’s plan for them as they continue to grow in spirituality and live the Catholic faith through service to others in need.
