Minister prepares students for rites
Campus Times
April 16, 1999
For the last four weeks or so, students have congregated in the University
Chapel to complete Confirmation classes.
A small group of about 16 people meet in the Chapel's classroom to study
and reflect on Bible verses, scripts and lectures for the purposes of growing
spiritually, religiously and personally.
Students meet for a team-taught lecture primarily to answer the question,
"Am I ready?"
The sessions are formatted to get students' input, as well as reiterate
what they have learned from being raised with Roman Catholic environments.
"It is like an update. We give information and answer questions
so that they can know if they want to belong to this community," said
Elena Cardeña, Catholic campus minister who is assisting is preparing
the students for their spiritual rite.
The class has continued on and off since its beginning. However, some
changes include the way the class is taught and formatted.
"We are using the initiation model. An initiation is a beginning.
It is a model where we begin to take their role as full members of the community,"
said Cardeña.
The initiation model can be used for being baptized, confirmed or completing
the first communion through the Roman Catholic Church.
For this class, students can only receive their Confirmation and their
first communion.
"Getting baptized, they need a year," said Cardeña,
regarding the preparation process candidates of the rites undergo in order
to fulfill the proper requirements to receive either of these sacraments.
The class is designed to educate those interested in committing themselves
to the study of their religion within a period of several weeks.
"It is a big thing. It is serious. Elena made it very clear that
it is important to know what you want," freshman Leslie Estrada said.
According to Estrada, the class was larger in number when it first began.
However, as the weeks continued, two or three people dropped out, leaving
16 students continuing in the six-week process.
The program is open to everyone. The majority are ULV students. However,
there are also high school students and members from the Holy Name of Mary
Catholic Church in San Dimas taking the class.
Fliers announcing the class were passed out to several churches. There
is no fee, and at the end of the class, students are confirmed.
Family and friends are invited, although a sponsor is picked by the
student to be part of the ceremony.
According to Ericka Eckley, a freshman psychology major, the class is
taught in an "entertaining" atmosphere. Students get to "interact
with each other."
"You feel comfortable in the class," she said.
For many, the class is a way to become more religious, but for others,
it is a way to understand the Bible. However, there are some who want to
be part of the program so they can connect with others in a more spiritual
manner.
"I want to be confirmed because I'm baptizing my sister's baby,"
said Eckley of her reasons for becoming a part of the program. "It
is fun and interesting. We all know each other."
However, the class is far from being a burden for those who are involved.
"It is exciting for me to see Confirmations. It is a personal decision
that students make," said Cardeña. "People are coming faithfully.
Their energy is good. Their spirit is good."
Although they have enjoyed the class as a whole, some students feel
that the course is not used to the fullest of its potential.
"I think they should do it every semester. And I think they should've
put up more fliers. It is a really good class," said Estrada.
If the class serves any purpose aside from confirming Catholic students,
it helps make the uncertainties about the church more clear.
"It helps you bond with other cultures and other races. It helps
you bond through religion," said Estrada.
"They are committed to find out [about the program], instead of
saying, 'OK I'm going to get confirmed because my grandma wants me to,'"
said Cardeña.
