The Milestones

The Seven Milestones – Summary and Goals

Milestones are topics of conversation between the candidate and their chosen sponsor. Each milestone topic consists of a goal with suggested conversation material, activities, and prayer opportunities. Milestones can be completed at the pace of the candidate chooses. (Below are simply summaries. They are NOT the actual milestone instructions. These summaries are provided for parents and sponsors to have a general understanding of each milestone. Instructions will be emailed to sponsor)

Milestone #1 – What is Confirmation?

Goal: To begin to lay a foundation of trust and relationship between the candidate and the sponsor while introducing them to the Sacrament of Confirmation
Summary: After catching up on life, the sponsor will spark conversation by sharing a digital image of painting, 3-part altarpiece from the 1400s. Entitled “The Seven Sacraments”, this painting will encourage clarifying questions and deeper conversation in the hopes of answering foundational questions – What is Confirmation? And What is a Sacrament?  And why does it matter?

Milestone #2 – Personal Prayer

​​Goal: To engage in conversation around what prayer is, why it matters, and how to do it.
Summary:  This milestone uses an engaging video from ALPHA on Prayer that is made specifically for a teen audience. Sponsors will be asked to pause the video in certain spots to discuss a question posed in the video. Discussion questions after the video dive deeper into the candidate’s thoughts on prayer. In the 2nd half of the meeting, a video from Fr. Mike Schmitz will open conversation around how exactly to pray. This milestone will also encourage prayer between the candidate and sponsor throughout the process.

Milestone #3 – Heart for Service

Goal:  To discover what the candidate is passionate about and then have an experience of serving using that passion.
Summary: (1 meeting and a service experience)Using a series of “Would You Rather?” questions posed by the sponsor and evaluating the “why” of each answer, the candidate will discover what they are passionate about. Using this discovery, the candidate and sponsor are encouraged to go serve together using that passion.

Milestone #4 – Mass

Goal: To discover what Mass is and why it is important in the life of a faithful Catholic.
Summary: (1 meeting and Mass) This conversation centers around the candidates experience with the Mass through specific questions from the sponsor. Because of the relationship that has developed over the last 4 milestones, this conversation as well as the video from Fr. Mike Schmitz has the potential to have a big impact on not only the candidate but also the sponsor themselves.

Milestone #5 – Mary and the Saints

Goal: To have a conversation around who/what are the Saints and why they are important. Candidates will be encouraged to find a Saint to walk with and pray with during this process of discernment.  
Summary: (1 meeting) This milestone will introduce the candidate to young people in recent history who are on their way to becoming Saints. This conversation will spark additional questions on the church’s process on how to become a Saint and the difference between a “saint” and a “Saint”.  Following a short discussion around Mary – the greatest Saint -,  the sponsors will encourage the candidate to become a “saint” themselves and begin research on choosing their Confirmation Saint.  

Milestone #6 – Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Goal: To review the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and learn to recognize them in ourselves and others.
Summary: (1 meeting) This milestone starts with a “Catholic 101” video on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. After some discussion on each gift the candidate and sponsor will watch a series of videos and short stories from popular culture. The candidate and sponsor will try to guess which Gift of the Holy Spirit is being represented.

Milestone #7 – Confirmed – Now What?

Goal: To discover the best things about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation and to encourage the candidate to continue their lifelong journey to discipleship.
Summary: (1 meeting) Using an interactive PowerPoint presentation called “Top 10 Best Things About Being Confirmed”, the sponsor will walk the candidate through the exciting benefits of being a Confirmed Catholic. This last milestone also serves as a review of the milestone process.  
 

Sample Timeline for staring preparation in the Fall and receiving the sacrament in the Spring:

October- Candidate comes forward and signs the commitment card
October- candidate and sponsor forms are completed and the necessary paperwork is turned into youth ministry staff*
October- 8th graders attend the 8th Grade Brick Retreat (October 28-30, 2022)
November- Milestone 1 and 2 (two meetings in total)
December- Milestone 3 (one meeting and completing a service project together
December- High School teens attend the HS Winter Retreat (December 2-4, 2022)
January- Milestone 4 (one meeting and attending Mass together)
February- Milestone 5 (two meetings- confirmation saint is chosen)
March- Milestone 6 and 7 (one meeting each- 2 in total)
April- celebrate the Rite of Confirmation
*A delay in completing forms and paperwork will prevent your candidate from starting the milestones at the ideal time in this schedule.