Sacrament of Confirmation

Confirmation Program - 2023-2024 

Nancy T. Cunniff, Director of Faith Formation for Grades 7-10

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation begins at Baptism through the commitment of parents and Godparents to raise their child in the Catholic faith. The formal catechesis that occurs in kindergarten through tenth grade lays the foundation and provides the support needed by families to nurture their child’s faith development. Confirmation Prep begins in the 7th grade and concludes in the spring of the students 10th grade.

​Holy Spirit, strengthen our students with your gifts of

Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety,

and Fear of the Lord, and serve as a disciple of Christ.

Grant that s/he may grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ.

Fill her/him with the joy of your presence.

Increase in her/him the fruit of your Spirit.

Help him/her to experience and trust your dwelling within,

so that he/she can count on your guidance today and every day.

Show us the way to help one another become better disciples of Jesus Christ, sharing your love with our world and with each person we meet.

Come, Holy Spirit! Come!

Pre-Confirmation Program - Grades 7-8 

Grade 7 and 8 Pre-Confirmation Program

Classes begin the week of October 1. The program will run once a month on Sunday evenings from 5:00–7:00 pm starting in October. The monthly sessions will begin with Mass in the church at 5:00 pm followed by class until 7:00 pm at St. John’s School. Families are encouraged to attend the 5:00 pm Mass with their children. To supplement the class instruction, students will have monthly lessons outside of class to be completed at home and submitted using Google Classroom. 

Encounter is an interactive pre-Confirmation curriculum for students to help prepare them to begin Confirmation classes in 9th grade. With the help of a color-coded biblical timeline learning system, the program Encounter teaches middle school students about the history of their faith, God's purpose for their lives, and how it all relates to their daily lives. As students are drawn into the scripture story, they will come to a new and profound understanding of who God is, not as an unrelatable concept but as a truly loving Father who desires a meaningful and lasting encounter with them. This captivating program guides students toward a powerful Encounter with God.

Confirmation Program - Grades 9-10

Grade 9 Classes begin the week of October 22

Grade 10 Classes begin the week of October 29

The program will run once a month on Sunday evenings from 5:00–7:00 pm starting in October. The monthly sessions will begin with Mass in the church at 5:00 pm followed by class until 7:00 pm in the lower church hall.

The Confirmation program is a two-year program offered to students beginning their freshman year of high school. Students who attend Catholic Schools are required to participate in the two-year program.

The mission of the program is to help young people enter into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Over the two-year period, Confirmation candidates are invited to journey together and explore and enrich their faith by following Christ and being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Through fun, uplifting, and informative classroom sessions, reflections, speaker presentations, and service opportunities this program works to build the following Gospel values in our young people:

1. See God in Everything
2. Trust in God Always
3. Stand up for the Poor and Vulnerable
4. Be Courageous
5. Serve Humbly
6. Share the Faith

Chosen: Your Journey Toward Confirmation is a remarkable new Confirmation preparation program that specifically addresses the challenge of transforming the way we pass along the precious gift of the Catholic Faith to the next generation. It takes teens on a journey through Catholicism, with the goal being nothing short of winning over their hearts and minds — and keeping them firmly planted within the Church.

Chris Stefanick, Chosen’s author and lead presenter, is one of the most influential figures in teen ministry in the United States. His many years working with young people resulted in a powerful vision of a program that would truly speak to their needs and challenge them to a life of discipleship.

We invite you to watch a twenty-minute video below. This powerful and inspiring message to Confirmation parents will give a nice overview and introduction of our program. 

The Theology of Confirmation According to the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchIn order to have a balanced theology of Confirmation, five principles must be kept in mind.

Confirmation is a sacrament of initiation. “Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation”,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1285).

It is a distinct sacramental rite. “The sacrament of Confirmation is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, which is done by the laying on of the hand, and through the words: “Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit”. (#1300)

Confirmation includes a unique giving of the Holy Spirit. The confirmand is “enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit”. (#1285) “It is evident from its celebration that the effect of the sacrament of Confirmation is the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost.” (#1302)

It is a “ratification of Baptism”, “and the strengthening of baptismal grace”. (#1289) This strengthening and ratifying is understood by a greater unity with the Church. “It renders our bond with the church more perfect.” (#1303)

Confirmation provides greater power for public witness of faith. “The confirmed person receives the power to profess faith in Christ publicly and as it were officially”. (#1305)



“I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” Mark 13:11.

The words of Mark’s gospel remind us of God’s invitation to share in the grace – filled journey of life. We pray that the Sacrament of Confirmation will deepen your relationship with the Lord, your parish community and the Church.