About Our Confirmation Program

Confirmation Formation is a two-year journey that usually begins in the fall of 8th grade and leads to receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of the second year. It’s more than just a class, it’s a chance for the students to dive deeper into their Catholic faith, to ask questions, and encounter the love of our Lord.

We use the Confirmation program called Purpose by LifeTeen.  It is a powerful and engaging program created specifically for teens. Purpose doesn’t just teach the truths of the Catholic faith, it helps students connect the faith to their own lives. Each session engages the youth with activities, talks, honest conversations in small groups, and moments of prayer that invite them into a deeper relationship with God.  We've seen students grow in their faith, discover who God created them to be, and experience how the Holy Spirit is working in their lives right now. Along the way, they've found a real community with friends and leaders who understand them, support them, and walk with them.  

A required parent/student meeting begins each year of the Confirmation program. In this meeting, you will hear from the Pastor and Confirmation Coordinator. Expectations and requirements are explained with the opportunity to ask questions and students receive their program materials.

 YEAR 1 

• There are 14 Group Sessions in Year 1 that meet on Sundays from 4-5:30pm, scheduled twice per month. In addition, we will attend the Advent Mission as a class.
• Students are expected to attend Mass every Sunday and turn in 10 Mass reflections.
• Each student is expected to complete 1 service hour within the parish or the community and turn in documentation of those hours.
• In addition to the service hour, each student is expected to participate in 2 parish activities (also known as Parish Plug-In Events).
• The student will be expected to complete a homework lesson for each missed session. If more than 2 classes are missed per semester the student will need to meet with the Pastor and the Confirmation Coordinator to determine readiness to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

YEAR 2

• There are 10 planned Sessions which meet on Sundays from 6-7:30pm, scheduled twice per month. We will attend the Advent Mission as a class. The number of sessions is dependent upon the Confirmation date.
• Students are expected to attend Mass every Sunday and turn in 10 Mass reflections.
• There is a required Confirmation retreat planned for Year 2 students. Typically, the retreat is on a Saturday in October at SSPP.
• Each candidate is expected to complete 2 service hours; ideally one hour in the parish and one in the broader community.
• In addition to the service hour, each student is expected to participate in 2 parish activities (also known as Parish Plug-In Events).
• Candidates will research and select a Catholic saint that most closely represents how s(he) aspires to live out our Catholic faith. A short saint biography on the chosen saint will be completed in class.
• Students will follow the diocesan guidelines on choosing a Confirmation sponsor and fill out a form with the sponsor’s information.  If the sponsor is not a member of SSPP, their Pastor will need to sign the sheet indicating the sponsor is a Catholic in good standing. The student and sponsor will complete a spiritual activity together and the student will submit the Sponsor Activity form as evidence of the activity.
• At the time of registration, if the student was baptized at a parish other than SSPP, we need a copy of the candidate's baptism certificate that is dated within the last 6 months, per Diocesan guidelines.
• The student will be expected to complete a homework lesson for each missed session. If more than 2 classes are missed per semester the student will need to meet with the Pastor and the Confirmation Coordinator to determine readiness to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
• Sponsors or parents are required to attend the Confirmation rehearsal. That date will be determined and communicated upon receipt of a Confirmation date.
• The Confirmation date is TBD.  It will likely be confirmed by the diocese once Bishop Malloy’s schedule is finalized in late Fall.

Questions or to register, please contact:
Ann Kohut at akohut@ssppcary.org - (847)516-2636 x321