Confirmation
Youth in 8th grade or above are eligible to begin the 2-year program for Confirmation. Preparation begins in the fall. Confirmation is typically celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral in the spring of the second year. To learn more about the diocese's Confirmation program requirements, click here. If you are an adult seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation, visit our OCIA program page here.
News and Announcements
Enrollment Now Open for 2026-2027!
We are excited to walk with you and your young person on this Sacramental journey! Beginning in 8th grade, teens/youth can start the 2-year process to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We will challenge candidates to grow in knowledge, service, and love of Christ. Scroll down for more information about our program options and requirements, and to enroll for the new year ahead.
Volunteers Wanted
A vibrant Confirmation program depends on parent and community support. There are many ways to volunteer, but one of the most important blessings volunteers can offer to teens is the chance to build relationships with adults who care. If you enjoy working with youth, and can follow a short plan, you can help! Training provided. Check out the roles needed below, and please contact Anne at 402-9254 or anne.thomas@dor.org if you enjoy working with teens.
- Substituting for sick volunteers (on occasion)
- Help with a retreat: setup, cleanup, or helping to supervise teens
Program Information
Calendars:
- Click here for our Traditional Program calendar (TBA).
- Click here for our Youth Group/Home Study Hybrid calendar (TBA).
- Click here for our Catholic School calendar (TBA).
Program Description
Traditional Program
Candidates in public school, home school, or secular private school have a "traditional" weekly preparation program. We have two options to meet teens' different needs and busy schedules: Weekly Gatherings in person with their peers, and a hybrid of monthly Youth Group events with weekly home study sessions. Additional diocesan requirements (see also: Required Events, below) for Confirmation preparation will be addressed throughout the year through other events and communication.
- Weekly Gatherings
- Candidates have two session choices (please commit to one)
- Sundays 11:45am-1:00pm
- Mondays 7:15pm-8:30pm (depending on enrollment)
- Candidates will meet with the same small group and adult leader throughout the year. These gatherings will include fellowship, faith experiences, fun, and occasional service opportunities.
- Youth Group/Home Study Hybrid:
- Candidates will attend one monthly Youth Group session to connect with their peers in community. Youth Group will host a variety of social, spiritual, and service-oriented events, from pizza parties to Bible studies.
- Candidates will also complete a weekly home study on the catechetical topics required by the diocese.
- ...but not both in the same week!
- Overall expected participation for both versions of the programs is weekly.
Catholic School Program
Candidates in who attend Catholic school will continue to explore their faith in theology and religion classes and other faith experiences in their Catholic school. This fufills one of the biggest program requirements from the diocese. Other requirements - the most important of which is regular worship at Mass! - are fulfilled here with your parish community. There are no weekly Confirmation events your candidate has to attend here at St. Rita. We would still love for them to be involved in Youth Group if they're interested! See Required Events below for more information
Required Events:
- Regular worship at Mass is the most valuable way to prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- 25 hours of catechesis each year (i.e., exploring the Catholic faith).
- For the Traditional Program, this requirement is fulfilled by Weekly Gatherings or Youth Group and home study sessions.
- For Catholic school candidates, this requirement is fulfilled at school.
- Parent/Candidate Sessions on the Sacrament of Confirmation
- We include a reflective session in Year 1 and Year 2 as prayerful way to begin the new year.
- Year 1 ends with a parent/candidate wrap-up event to close out the year the way we began, with prayer and reflection.
- A 5-hour annual retreat
- The calendar will include a Year 1 retreat in the fall.
- The calendar will include a Year 2 retreat in the spring.
- St. Rita Church will offer 1-2 additional youth retreats open to all teens that will count for Confirmation candidates.
- If a candidate is ill or unable to attend a retreat at St. Rita, any Confirmation retreat in the diocese also counts for this requirement.
- Additional Year 2 events:
- An info session for candidates, parents, and sponsors on what to expect at the cathedral.
- Remote session on choosing a Confirmation name.
- An Immediate Preparation session for candidates with parents and/or sponsors.
- A rehearsal.
COVID, Health, and Weather-Related Safety
The safety of all children and volunteers is our highest priority. When we gather, we will follow the same health policies and event cancellations as WCSD.
Forms and Parent Resources
Find all informational handouts to help you get settled and answer your questions about the program here.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When do we talk about sponsors? Who can be a sponsor?
- We will discuss choosing sponsors at the end of Year 1 and at the beginning of Year 2. You can find more information about choosing a sponsor here, especially if your candidate has someone in mind early in the journey.
- When do candidates choose a Confirmation name?
- Candidates can begin looking at Confirmation names whenever they like! We will provide guidance and ideas in the winter of Year 2, but this is a conversation you can have at home with your candidate at any time in the process.
- Is there a family-based/home program available?
- The Sacrament of Confirmation celebrates the full initiation of candidates into the communiy of the Catholic Church. Because the theology of the Sacrament is so deeply rooted in the community of the Body of Christ, it is best to prepare as part of a community. The closest format to a family or home based program is the Youth Group/Home Study hybrid. If community participation at Youth Group is a significant barrier for a candidate, Anne Thomas will support individual families in home preparation on a case-by-case basis. Significant barriers to group participation may include (but aren't limited to) situations like socail anxiety, special needs or disabilities famiiles feel they can best accommodate at home, etc.
- My teen WAS in Catholic school, but they're not in Catholic school NOW. Do they still have to enroll in the Traditional Program and participate weekly? Can they test out if they have good recall of information learned before 8th grade?
- The goal of Confirmation preparation is to support candidates' ongoing growth as young people of faith, love, and service in a community of their peers. This is primarily accomplished by regular worship at Mass, regardless of the school or program your candidate attends. Continued participation in Catholic school or parish Confirmation preparation is also an essential way to support growth. Elementary Catholic school education is a fantastic foundation, but it is not ongoing support. Catholic school preparation is for candidates currently enrolled in Catholic school. All other candidates should enroll in the Traditional Program.
Enrollment
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STEP 1: Complete this online enrollment form here for 2026-2027, or contact Anne Thomas at anne.thomas@dor.org to set up a time to enroll over the phone.
- STEP 2: Payment
- Traditional Year 1: $50
- Tradtional Year 2: $50
- Catholic School Year 1: $15
- Catholic School Year 2: $0
- Please send payment by one of the following methods:
- Pay online by credit card here. (Please note that the payment page is accurate for the 25-26 school year. The title is due to be updated, but the program fees remain the same.)
- Write a check payable to St. Rita Church and mail it to 1008 Maple Drive. (Please indicate Faith Formation in the memo.)
- Bring an envelope with check or cash and your name and drop it in the mail slot in the parish office door or in the donation slot in the church at any Mass. (Please indicate Faith Formation in the memo.)