Confirmation preparation is part of our tri-parish Youth Ministries program for the parishes of Our Lady of Grace, Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph's.  Confirmation is celebrated in the Spring of each year, typically by teens in their junior year of high school. In accordance with Diocesan requirements, candidates for confirmation must:

• be at least 15 years old
• have completed the prior year's catechetical study
• engage in an immediate preparation program
• have a demonstrated commitment to living their baptismal call toward serving others
• complete a retreat, specifically in preparation for Confirmation

Our confirmation preparation process includes a variety of events including instructional sessions, community service, ritual and prayer experiences, sponsor and candidate gatherings, attendance and participation in liturgy, a retreat and more.

Each August, teens entering 11th grade, who were enrolled the YM program as 10th graders receive a Welcome Letter with the details of the Confirmation Preparation Program and a complete Calendar of all Confirmation Sessions for the year.

Teens that are new to the area, have been away from formal faith formation or attend private school should contact the Youth Ministries office as soon as possible to discuss our program.

2022-2023 Confirmation General Information

Program Overview (coming soon)

2022-2023 Welcome Letter

2022-2023 Printable Confirmation Calendar 

Attendance at all sessions and activities is expected

Unless otherwise noted, all Confirmation preparation gatherings are held at Immaculate Conception Church.

CONFIRMATION will be celebrated in the Spring of 2023 (after Easter).  We will receive a date from the Bishop's Office in late January and will share it with you as soon as we have received it.

Confirmation Retreat - INFORMATION will be provided to candidates and families as soon as it is finalized.  As a reminder - a retreat in preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a requirement of the Diocese of Albany.

Sacrament of Reconciliation 

Candidates are expected to renew their state of grace by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the Confirmation Mass.  We anticipate that a Lenten Penance Service will be scheduled within our communities.  Candidates may also receive the Sacrament at a time of their choosing.

Required Paperwork and Forms

for those preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation

Due dates are indicated after each form. Hard copies of each can be found in your candidate red folder that was distributed at our candidate/parent informational session. If you need another copy you can print each form by clicking the name.  Please check back - for printable forms.  They will be available after the information session in October.

Community Service Expectations

for those preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation 

Each candidate is expected to continue a demonstrated commitment to living as a disciple of Christ by completing community service through both Ministry and Mission. Mission Service meets the needs of those in the greater community, while Ministry Service meets the needs of our own Parishes.

There is no minimum number of hours required, rather, we ask candidates to make a commitment and fulfill that commitment. Candidates then complete and submit 2 service reports - 1 based on their Mission Service opportunity and 1 based on their Ministry Service opportunity.

To deepen the bonds of community within our Parishes and specifically among the Confirmation candidates, it is our tradition that ALL CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES have a shared Mission Service experience that we organize/coordinate.

For 2022-2023, ALL CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES are encouraged to participate in our TRI-PARISH MORNING OF SERVICE . The Morning of Service will be Saturday, October 22, 2022.  Candidates will need to SIGN UP using the online form (sign up between September 10 and October 10) and select the project of their choice.  Confirmation candidates are encouraged to select an off-site project.

After participating in the Morning of Service (MOS), please be sure to complete and return your Mission Service Reflection based on that experience. 

IF you are NOT participate in the MOS, you must notify Caitie and discuss an alternative mission service experience.

Ministry Service will be selected individually by each candidate, but must directly benefit one of the parishes with our three parish community by volunteering with an existing Ministry Group.  If you need suggestions, please reach out to our office and we will match you with a ministry group that fits with your strengths and interests. It is our hope, that this interaction will lead to continued Ministry involvement post-Confirmation. 

Candidates are asked to prayerfully reflect on their service experiences and complete one service report  for your Mission Service and one for your Ministry Service. It is recommended that you complete and turn in your service reports as soon as possible after completing the service opportunity, The absolute deadline for submission of service reports is April 17th.

CONFIRMATION READINESS CONVERSATIONS 

One on one conversations for candidates preparing to receive the Sacrament in Spring of 2023 will be scheduled between March 19, 2023 and April 17, 2023. Candidates will have the option of selecting dates/times that are convenient for them.  

Be prepared to discuss these questions during your conversation:

1. What does being confirmed mean to you? Why do you want to receive the Sacrament?

2. How have you grown in your faith in the past year?

3. Who is your confirmation sponsor and how do they best represent their Catholic faith identity?

4. Who is your confirmation Saint and what qualities do you hope to emulate from their lives as you continue on your faith journey?

5. How do you plan to continue to deepen your faith after Confirmation?

Candidates will also have the opportunity to ask questions that they may have.