Confirmation Preparation Program
8th Grade Candidates
The age for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation will be lowered from the age of 16 years old (10th or 11th grade) to the ages of 13-14 years old (8th grade). The Archdiocese feels that this change will "strengthen the participation of young people and their families in the life of faith in Jesus Christ lived out in our parishes, schools, and communities."
Students will complete a one-year Confirmation Preparation Program. Each gathering will be a "youth ministry style" session. Students will come to in-person classes every three weeks. Though we offer classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – we urge the candidates to attend the Wednesday session. We want to bring the candidates together to build community in hopes that they will be involved with our high school youth ministry program. For more information – click on the link!
Grade 8 CONFIRMATION PREP PROGRAM
To all of our High School Young People
If you have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation, we invite you to be part of our High School Confirmation Preparation Program at St. Mary’s Church. This one-year program is designed specificity for high school young people. We will gather on an average of twice a month on Sunday evenings from 6:30-7:30pm in the Church Hall. Each session will start off with the following:
- a game and opening prayer (GATHER)
- some kind of teachable moment (activity, witness, movie clip (LISTEN)
- small group and large group sharing, journaling, and/or quiet reflection (RESPOND)
- closing prayer, "challenge for the week" and
- announcements (SEND FORTH)
We will incorporate a retreat and two or three Christian Service opportunities that we will do together.
Confirmation Preparation Program for High School Young People
- We ask every candidate to attend Mass regularly. We encourage your family to attend Mass with you.
- We urge every candidate to participate in Sacrament of Reconciliation (normally on Saturdays from 8:00-9:00am and by appointment)
- Every candidate is expected to attend each session or contact Jim Flanagan to make other arrangements
- Unless noted – the sessions will be from 6:30-7:30pm in the parish hall.
- We have not received the date for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We will let you know as soon as we know.
Confirmation Preparation Program Schedule 2025 - 2026
CONFIRMATION PREP PROGRAM SCHEDULE 2025-2026 (PDF)
| Topic | Date |
|---|---|
| Parent and Candidate Gathering | Sun, Oct 5 |
| Who is Jesus? | Sun, Oct 19 |
| What is the Eucharist? | Sun, Nov 9 |
| Four Pillars in the Church | Sun, Nov 23 |
| Catholic Social Teaching | Sun, Jan 11 |
| Catholic Moral Life | Sun, Jan 25 |
| Lent and the Stations of the Cross (Starting session with the 10:30am Mass and the session will end at 1:30pm) |
Sun, Feb 8 |
| The Sacrament of Confirmation | Sun, Mar 15 |
| Gifts of the Holy Spirit | Sun, Mar 29 |
| Call to Discipleship | Sun, Apr 12 |
The Parish Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation Schedule
Weekend Mass Schedule – Saturday at 4:00pm and on Sundays at 7:30am and 10:30am.
Sacrament of Reconciliation - Saturdays from 8:00-9:00am in the lower Church or by appointment.
Day Retreat
Sat, Mar 28 from 10:30am-5:00pm – Lunch and Mass included (NEW DATE)
Christian Service Opportunities for the Group
Christmas in the City – Sat, Dec 20 and Sun, Dec 21 – More details to follow
Living Stations of the Cross – More details to follow
Conversation with the Candidate
Each candidate will meet with a member of the Faith Formation Staff the week of Apr 27. This will be an informal but important conversation for the candidate to share why they are ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is a time for a staff member to support and affirm the candidate