"What do I need to do to get Confirmed?"

Confirmation at Saint Cecilia Parish is a two-year process.  The Archdiocese of Dubuque requires that each candidate receive one year of religious education prior to entering formal preparation for this important Sacrament of Initiation. 

9th & 10th graders meet (separately) once a month on the 1st Wednesday from 7-9pm.

Our first sesion for 2010-2011 is September 1.

For a full calendar of events, please visit our Google calendar.

Confirmation Downloads

Click here for the 9th Grade Parent Hand-Out.

Click here for the 10th Grade Parent Hand-Out. 

YEAR ONE

Dates for 9th Grade Confirmation:

Wednesday, September 1^st

Why Confirmation?

Parent Meeting

7-8:30pm

Sunday, September 12^th

Behold the Mystery

(Required Life Night)

7-9pm

Wednesday, October 6^th

Discipleship 101

(Sponsors Welcome)

7-8:30pm

Wednesday, November 3^rd

Are You Saved?

7-8:30pm

Wednesday, December 1^st

Foolish

7-8:30pm

Saturday, December 4^th

The Teen Timeline (T3)

Scripture Retreat

10am – 6pm (Includes Mass)

Wednesday, January 5^th

Vocation Panel

7-8:30pm

Sunday, January 23^rd

Purity Retreat

St. Thomas Aquinas

11:30am-8pm (Includes Mass)

Wednesday, February 2^nd

Help Me!

7-8:30pm

Sunday, February 20^th

Required Life Night

7-9pm

Wednesday, March 2^nd

Wii Love Jesus!

(Sponsors Welcome)

7-8:30pm

Wednesday, April 6^th

One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic

7-8:30pm

Friday, May 6^th

10^th Grade Confirmation Ceremony

(9^th Grade Homework)

6pm, Saint Cecilia

Sunday, May 15^th

Required Life Night

7-9pm

YEAR TWO

Dates for 10th Grade Confirmation:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Confirmation a one-year program?

Preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation starts at the beginning of NINTH GRADE.  The Archdiocese of Dubuque asks that all candidates receive one year of religious education prior to entering into preparation for the Sacrament. Therefore, only after two years of monthly preparation classes and a weekend retreat (attended in 10th grade) are candidates are eligible for the Confirmation.

Q: How do I choose a sponsor?

Choosing a sponsor is an important decision, but it should also come naturally.  Think of who has been a model of the Catholic faith in your life.  As long as they are 16, Confirmed  in the Catholic Church and NOT a parent, they can be your sponsor!  Sponsors can be siblings, aunts or uncles, cousins, friends, etc.  Godparents often make the best sponsors because they have been praying for you since your Baptism!  Sponsors do NOT have to be "Cradle Catholics," in fact, those who have converted to Catholicism later in life often make the best Sponsors!  

Q: What if I can't make it to one of the Confirmation classes?

Since there are only 16 Confirmation sessions TOTAL, it is important to try to make it to each one.  If the candidate is seriously ill, there is a death in your family, or another unavoidable conflict, they are "allowed" up to TWO absences.  However, every absence must be made up, no matter what.  If a candidate misses more than two absences in one year of preparation, they will need to repeat a year of preparation in order to get Confirmed.

Q: Is Confirmation like "graduation" from Youth Ministry?

NO!  Confirmation is only the beginning of involvement in the Church.  There are ample opportunities for Confirmed eleventh and twelfth graders to stay involved in youth ministry.  Life Teen is a youth ministry program for ALL of high schoolers.  If an upperclassmen is interested in leadership, they can also join the Militia Mariae to serve as a peer leader.