Confirmation » Youth Confirmation

Youth Confirmation

Youth Confirmation Registration is Closed!

To learn more about how our program works in case you want to sign up next year, read below!

Welcome to an important and exciting journey of faith! As you begin this journey of preparation for Confirmation, you are taking a significant step in deepening your relationship with God and strengthening your understanding of the Catholic faith. This program is designed to support you in your spiritual growth, to enrich your knowledge of the Church’s teachings, and to prepare you to fully embrace your role as an active member of our faith community.


Youth Confirmation is open to High School Freshman-Seniors starting the 2025-2026 school year. You must also:

  • Be Baptized in the Catholic Church and have received your First Holy Communion.
  • Attend weekly Sunday Mass.
  • Participate in the active life of the church.
 

Program Objectives:

Deepen Your Faith: To provide a supportive environment where you can explore and deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith, Scripture, and the Sacraments, especially the significance of Confirmation. 


Community Building: To connect you with peers and mentors within the church community, fostering relationships that nurture your spiritual journey and help you grow in faith together.


Spiritual Preparation: To prepare you spiritually and intellectually for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation through prayer, worship, and catechesis.


Service and Witness: To encourage you to live out your faith actively through service projects and community involvement, demonstrating the values and teachings of Jesus Christ.


Commitment to Lifelong Faith Formation: To inspire a lifelong commitment to learning and living out the Catholic faith, empowering you to be a confident witness to Christ in our world. 


We look forward to walking this path of faith with you!


Important Dates

  • Registration will open for the 2026-2027 year in April of 2026.
 

Confirmation Sessions

Year one students have the option to meet Sundays at 3:30 pm or Tuesdays at 6pm or 7:30 pm. There is limited space available in each group so register early to get your first choice!

 

Attendance & Late Policy

All sessions, small and large group, are required. Students can miss no more than 3 sessions each year they are in the program. Do not be late to any session. Arriving more than 10 minutes late to a session will result in a absence for that session.


Community Service

Students in the Confirmation program are expected to take part in meaningful community service each month, putting their faith into action through acts of love and service. There is a form they will need to fill out online each month by the last day of the month explaining what service they did and what they learned and felt by participating. The minimum time spent each month is one hour. We will provide monthly opportunities for them to sign up for.


Liturgical Ministry

All confirmation students must sign up for and participate in a ministry through the duration of the time they are in the program. The options are.

  • Lector at the 5 pm Mass on Sundays (Read the readings at Mass)
  • Usher at the 5 pm Mass on Sundays (Help greet, with the collection, the communion line, and hand out bulletins)
  • Music Ministry at the 5 pm Mass on Sundays (Sing or play an instrument)
  • Altar Serve at any weekend Mass (Assist the priest & deacon on the altar)
  • Operate music slides at any weekend Mass (Microsoft PowerPoint)

Please select a ministry in the registration form. Information about that ministry will be shared with you at a later date. 

All students must be signed up by December during year 1. You will also be expected to attend that ministry’s quarterly meetings and keep track of your schedule using the Ministry Scheduler Pro App. An account will be made for you when you join the ministry.

 

Retreat Info Meeting

*Date TBD

This meeting is mandatory for all teens and parents. 

At this meeting, we will review the rules, expectations, and important details regarding the retreat. Missing this meeting will result in exclusion from the retreat. Reminder: Attendance at the retreat is mandatory for all candidates.

 

Retreat

*Date TBD - (Usually November)

Retreats are integral to the Catholic Confirmation process as they offer a dedicated space for intensive spiritual reflection and community building. Away from daily distractions, the teens engage in prayer, meditation, and discussions, deepening their understanding of Confirmation's significance. The Confirmation students at St. Dorothy are required to attend a weekend retreat each year that they are in the program. Two retreats total before Confirmation.


Parent Meeting

Parents/guardians, the new year of sessions will start in September with small group meet-and-greet gatherings for parents/guardians ONLY! Your teen will not be permitted to begin the program unless you attend the meeting designated for your child’s group. 

 

Registration Fee

The fee for each Confirmation Year is $325. This includes the sessions, all materials, and the cost of retreat each year.


Cell Phone Policy

All cell phones and other electronics will be stored in the designated phone caddy at the beginning of each class session. The phone caddy will be securely managed by our leaders to ensure the safety of participants' devices. There will also be no cell phones allowed on the retreats. This policy aims to minimize distractions and create a focused learning environment conducive to spiritual growth. The teens will be encouraged to fully engage in class activities and discussions without the distraction of cell phones.

 

Below are some of the benefits of this policy:

  • Spiritual Focus: Teens can fully engage in the sessions without distractions from texts or social media, enhancing their connection with God.
  • Building Community: Face-to-face interactions foster unity and authentic connections, creating lasting friendships.
  • Mindfulness and Reflection: Without technology distractions, teens can focus on prayer, reflection, and the session’s topic, leading to a more profound experience.
  • Respect for Sacred Space: Maintaining a cell phone-free environment contributes to a serene and respectful atmosphere during the sessions, allowing everyone to engage fully in spiritual activities.
 

Dress Code

Modesty: Clothing should be modest and respectful, avoiding excessively revealing or provocative attire.

Neatness: The teens should dress in a clean and tidy manner, reflecting respect for the program and its values.

Appropriate Attire: Clothing should be suitable for a religious setting, no items with offensive slogans or graphics.

Special Events and Masses: For special Masses and events, participants should dress nicer than usual, avoiding jeans, t-shirts, shorts, flip flops, or immodest clothing. There may be events where a specific dress code is expected.

 

Sponsors

Parents/guardians, please do not select a Confirmation Sponsor with your teen yet. We will help you help them choose a good sponsor. Their sponsor must be a fully initiated, actively practicing Catholic who they already connect with/relate to and can accompany them through this process, and through all of life's big moments and milestones.

Why is attending Mass so important?

Mass attendance every Sunday is essential for someone preparing for Confirmation for the following reasons:

Deepening Understanding of Faith: Attending Mass helps teens understand their faith better through the Scripture readings, homilies, and liturgical practices.

Participation in the Eucharist: The Eucharist is central in Catholic life, offering teens a direct encounter with Christ, which is crucial as they prepare for Confirmation.

Spiritual Discipline: Regular Mass attendance teaches teens the importance of spiritual discipline and setting aside time for their faith.

Community Connection: Going to Mass connects teens with their church community, helping build supportive relationships and fostering a sense of belonging.

Living Out Their Faith: Attending Mass allows teens to actively practice their faith, integrating it into their daily lives and preparing them to be witnesses of their beliefs.

Preparation for Confirmation: Consistent Mass attendance shows commitment and readiness for the sacrament of Confirmation, ensuring teens are prepared to reaffirm their baptismal vows.