Most students in virtual confirmation classes for two Paterson, N.J., parishes this past summer were able to join from the comfort of their homes, with little or no distractions. But some took part wherever and however they could — from young mothers caring for their children to late-night workers closing their office doors to concentrate.
Raysa Gonzales of Our Lady of Pompei (OLP) Parish in Paterson often joined the first-time confirmation classes of OLP and St. Gerard Majella Parish, also in Paterson, from her office. Over the summer, she was one of 28 adults who took advantage of the convenience of attending 8 to 10 90-minute English-language classes on Tuesday evenings via Zoom.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney confirmed these Catholics during a Mass at St. Gerard’s on Oct. 12, the feast of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, canonized by Pope Leo XVI in Rome on Sept. 7. Students attended eight classes for confirmation prep and twice more for first Holy Communion prep, followed by an in-person retreat.
“I was happy that we [students] could see and interact with each other and express our thoughts — like being in a classroom,” said Gonzales. A Paterson resident who returned to attending Mass, she works full time, started her own business, and is a parent to Elijah, 8, and an OLP lector. “Going to church makes me feel peaceful. I want to teach Elijah the faith. I have more knowledge but have more to learn.”
The classes consisted of 18- to 40-year-olds who wanted to complete their sacraments to get married, become godparents, or enter full communion with the Church. Participants hailed from as far away as New York State and Princeton, N.J., through word of mouth. Jan Figenshu, who volunteers at her parish, St. Gerard’s, coordinated the course.
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“There is a need for this type of formation. The Zoom classes make sense for people with family commitments, those who work late, or those who don’t have time for a long commute. It was beautiful to see their dedication,” Figenshu said. “Some brought their friends and family to the classes. One person found the program by asking Chat GPT ‘Where can I prepare for confirmation?'”
Each class consisted of an opening prayer, a time when students described a “holy moment” of God’s grace they experienced that week, a lesson on the week’s topic, small-group discussions, a review of the Sunday readings, and a closing prayer.
“I promote the joy of being Catholic and in a faith community. I also encourage the students to go to church without nagging them. Some have gotten more involved in their faith,” Figenshu said.
The course ended with a retreat at St. Gerard’s, which concluded with the Sacrament of Penance presided over by Msgr. George Hundt, pastor of both Paterson parishes, and Father Manuel Cuellar, parochial vicar. Many participants got to know each other. The process has led Msgr. Hundt to help some couples convalidate their civil marriages in the eyes of the Church.
Figenshu started a Zoom confirmation course when Msgr. Hundt previously was pastor of St. Vincent Martyr Parish in Madison, N.J.
Stacey Strover, who was confirmed in the Easter Vigil earlier this year, helped lead small-group discussions on Zoom.
“Getting students involved on Zoom was challenging. We asked open-ended, interactive questions to encourage participation. Sometimes, they would come up with their own questions,” Strover said.
