Confirmation Preparation throughout the Diocese takes place over the course of two years and begins no earlier than 8th grade. The goal of Confirmation Preparation is to ground candidates in the faith and prepare them to live a life of faith, strengthened by the grace of the Sacrament.
To accomplish this, each candidate is expected to complete the following:
Catechetical Sessions - are dedicated to learning and exploring the faith of our Church. (This is waived for currently-enrolled Catholic School students as the school curriculum meets this requirement)
For non-Catholic School students: Our parish completes this requirement using a hybrid model. We meet in person once per month and also complete online activities each month from October, 2023 – April, 2024. The online activities will be posted to Google Classroom at the beginning of each month.
For a list of catechetical topics to be covered over the two year prep period, see the bottom of this page.
Retreat Opportunities - two 5-hour retreats (one each year) focused on prayer and relationship with God.
Note: This is required for both Catholic School students and non-Catholic School students, both Years 1 & 2.
Service - as an integral part of our identity as Catholics, each candidate is expected to complete a reasonable amount of service and reflect on it in light of the Sacrament.
Note: every candidate (Years 1 & 2, Catholic School and non-Catholic School) is required to complete 10 hours of community service prior to the Confirmation Retreat each year.
Regular Mass Attendance - as Catholics seeking full initiation, it is vital that candidates regularly attend Sunday Mass.
Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation - it is important to approach Confirmation free of the bonds of sin.
Note: The candidates can go to Confession at any point during the year, and Confession is also offered during our Confirmation Retreat in the spring.
Faith Formation - Candidates must have been enrolled and participating for the year prior as well as the current year. This is a Diocesan requirement.
2022-2023 (Year prior) - candidates must have either been registered for and participated in Faith Formation/Youth Group OR have been enrolled in Catholic School for the entire year prior in order to participate in Confirmation Prep this current year.
2023-2024 (Current year) - Confirmation candidates must be registered and participate in Faith Formation/Youth Group OR be enrolled in Catholic School for the current year in order to participate in Confirmation Prep.
Catechetical Topics
The following topics of our faith teaching are covered over the two years of preparation:
♦ Justice & Solidarity ♦ The Gospels ♦ Trinity ♦ Catholic Social Teaching ♦ Incarnation ♦ Paschal Mystery ♦ Moral Decision-Making ♦ Church History ♦ Nicene Creed ♦ Revelation: Scripture/Tradition ♦ Mary: Mother of God ♦ Baptism ♦ Eucharist – Real Presence ♦ Church’s Hierarchy ♦ Confirmation ♦ Structure of Mass/Liturgical Year ♦ Prayer ♦ Chastity ♦ Living as Disciples: Trinity & Community ♦ Sin & Reconciliation ♦ Grace ♦ Natural Law/Magisterium ♦ The Ten Commandments & Beatitudes ♦ Social Sin ♦ Conscience Formation ♦ Gifts & Fruits of the Holy Spirit ♦ Moral Theology ♦ Hebrew Scriptures ♦ Christian Lifestyle & Vocations ♦ Medical Ethics ♦ Church History ♦ Saints & Martyrs ♦ Sexuality ♦ Sacraments of Service