Confirmation is a celebration of the ongoing power of the Holy Spirit who is alive in our hearts. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the grace of Baptism is deepened and gifts of the Holy Spirit are bestowed and intensified.
Journeying as Disciples of Christ...
New Changes to Confirmation
Confirmation is now open to students in grade 8 – 12. This will be a transition year with the same overall components, but different session times available to different age groups.
Faith Formation youth in grades 7 & 8 will meet weekly on Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00 pm. 8th-grade youth will be Confirmed in the Spring, while 7th-grade youth will continue their prep into the next year. Grades 9-12 will have the option to meet weekly on Sunday evenings from 6:45-8:15 pm or Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm (as space allows).
8th grade students at Epiphany School will meet during their regular Religion Class times. All candidates will gather for 7 Sunday sessions accompanied by a parent or sponsor.
The Google Classroom code to turn in and access reflection forms is: on49d0
Confirmation will be celebrated on Thursday, April 30th, 2020, 7pm at the Cathedral of St. Paul.
Retreat Information
In Confirmation, Candidates will need to attend 1 weekend long retreat in order to receive the sacrament. There are several options available to candidates.
Epiphany offers two retreats, the fall entitled “FIDEI,” and the spring retreat, entitled “CREDO.” These retreats will be put on by the E3:HS Core team and will be for any High School student (Confirmation youth are given priority). Click here to head over to the High School Retreat page.
NET Ministries offers many other retreat opportunities for teens which count toward the Confirmation retreat component. NET also offers a retreat for just 8th graders. This retreat is hosted from October 25-27, 2019 (8th grade ONLY).
Click here to register for a NET retreat or for the dates & more information.
Quick Links
Sponsor Resources
Sponsoring a Confirmation candidate? We’re glad to have you accompany us on this journey. Here are some resources for you!
Parent Resources
Looking for resources to keep you informed about the current culture? Below are a few resources for you!
FAQ
How long is Confirmation prep?
Confirmation prep is for just 1 year for Catholic School and Public School Students. Youth who have received the other sacraments of initiation may begin preparation as early as their 8th-grade year of school. All youth grades 8-12, who haven’t received the sacrament are welcome to register.
What is the focus of Confirmation?
Confirmation primarily seeks to form young people into disciples of Christ in the Catholic tradition. Candidates will be challenged and empowered to love and know Christ in a profound way. Sessions will include prayer, powerful talks and witnesses, engaging activities, and small group discussions. The program meets candidates through their experience of the world and gives them tools to live as a disciple of Christ. By the end of the year, youth will have been given the tools to share the Good News with the world.
Topics for each session will be handed out at the start of the program.
What if I already know all this stuff?
Every year we get young people in every different stage in their understanding of the Catholic Faith, the Bible, and many other things. Confirmation seeks to deepen this faith! No matter where you are, your faith can always be increased.
We desire young people to become disciples. You might be able to recite a hundred facts about the church that not many people know, but our deepest prayer is that you love the Catholic Church, Jesus, and one another and that you want to spread that love.
We challenge our Candidates, parents, and sponsors to not just “get Confirmation over with”, but value each step in the process and embrace what God is calling YOU to in the Sacrament.
What are the components?
In the program candidates will:
- choose a sponsor
- attend E3:HS nights
- reflect on homilies, sponsor discussions, & a retreat experience
- learn about & choose a patron saint
- serve the community
- attend a weekend-long retreat
These components strive to challenge teens to live the life of a disciple of Christ. Candidates receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the Confirmation Sacrament and what they experience in the preparation year helps to show them how to live out the grace they receive for the rest of life.