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Confirmation: The formal preparation for this sacrament begins in grade 6, with Confirmation usually conferred in the Fall of 8th grade. It is expected that all children will have attended religious education classes from grade 1. In addition to weekly classes, there are Formation evenings, a petitioning ceremony, an enrollment ceremony and an acceptance ceremony, service projects, Sponsor/Candidate meetings, and parent meetings.
Overview of the Religious Education Program: Volunteer catechists and parish staff help prepare candidates and their families to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Class schedules and parent meetings vary by grade.
- Grade 1: The Parent Educator Program starts the formal education. After completing a theological background course, the parents instruct and prepare their children at home weekly. The children attend monthly sessions on Tuesday afternoons.
- Grades 2–7: Weekly catechetical instruction continues in a classroom setting. The children participate in a variety of learning and prayer experiences. Approved religion texts are used with other support materials.
- Grade 8: Immediate preparation for Confirmation with an acceptance for Confirmation ceremony, retreat day, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a special class on living the Christian life, rehearsal for the Confirmation liturgy and reception of Confirmation.
Family Liturgy: Join us at our Family Mass offered each Sunday (September–June) at 9:00 am. It offers a special welcome for children of all ages, and our Children’s Choir leads the singing. Our parish children participate in special Masses hosted by children preparing for a sacrament or in a specific grade.
Living Confirmation in parish life
The purpose of this resource is not simply to answer a question, but to help people feel supported as they take part in parish life. For Confirmation, that often begins with a little preparation: reading the information carefully, speaking with someone who can help, and allowing enough time for a thoughtful decision. No one needs to arrive with every answer. A parish community exists so that questions can be asked openly and people can move forward at a pace that is realistic for their family and circumstances.
It is useful to connect this topic with the ordinary rhythm of worship. Sunday Mass, quiet prayer during the week, and small acts of service give information a lived context. They also help children, visitors, and longtime members see that parish life is not a collection of separate programs. It is a shared practice of listening, learning, celebrating, and caring for one another. When the next step is clear, it becomes easier to participate with confidence.
A practical way to begin
Start with what is already possible. Read the relevant page, write down any detail that needs clarification, and contact the parish office when a conversation would be more helpful than a form. Take a quiet moment after Mass to reflect on what would be most helpful now. A small, specific step is more likely to become a lasting habit than an ambitious plan that cannot fit into ordinary responsibilities.
- Review the information before making a commitment.
- Bring practical questions to a parish contact or ministry leader.
- Choose one way to stay connected through worship, learning, or service.
Staying connected
Parish resources are most helpful when they lead people toward relationship rather than leaving them to navigate alone. You can consult Mass times when planning a visit, explore prayer and devotions for ongoing spiritual support, or use the parish contact page for a question that needs a personal response. These links are meant as useful next steps, not as a substitute for conversation.
As needs change, return to this information and check for updates. Some people will be ready to volunteer, while others may simply need a place to pray quietly or learn more. Both are meaningful forms of participation. The parish welcomes each person with patience, respect, and room to grow. By taking one faithful step at a time, Confirmation can become part of a deeper and more connected life of faith.
