Mission and Overview 

The goal of our parish confirmation preparation is to help teenagers understand the effects of the Holy Spirit in their lives, bring them into a deeper relationship with Christ, and unite them more deeply into the Body of Christ, especially at the parish level (CCC 1309).

 

Our confirmation preparation focuses on an overview of the sacrament, Theology of the Body, personal prayer, the Mass, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and service.

 

Structure:

 

Students are required to attend classes Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. throughout the religious education year.  If a class is missed for any reason, make-up work will be assigned.  Poor class attendance may result in the student's confirmation being delayed.

 

Students will also attend a Spiritus retreat at Mount Tabor Retreat Center in Menasha.  If a student is unable to attend the retreat, they are responsible for attending another Spiritus retreat. 

 

Students are required by the archdiocese to participate in service to the parish, community, and/or larger world concerns.  In order to be confirmed students must complete 30 hours of service.

 

Finally, students will attend an orientation meeting with a parent, a sponsor meeting with a sponsor or parent, and an interview with Father Chuck.

 

Who Can Recieve the Sacrament:

 

Any high school teenager who is a junior  or senior (age 16 or older) in high school at the time that they will receive the sacrament, and feels that they are personally ready to receive the sacrament is eligible. Teenagers are permitted to attend high school confirmation preparation until they graduate from high school.  College-aged young adults should enroll in the parish OCIA program to be confirmed into the Church.

 

Knowing When to Recieve the Sacrament:

 

The choice to receive the sacrament of confirmation is an important one, and is solely up to the discretion of the candidate. Our archdiocese currently recommends two years of high school faith formation before one receives the sacrament of confirmation.  In order to receive the sacrament, students must have completed the previous year's religious education classes.