Youth Confirmation
In Confirmation, we receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus' disciples received grace before his Resurrection, on Pentecost the Holy Spirit came to strengthen them with new graces for the difficult work ahead. Then they went out and preached the gospel fearlessly and carried out the mission Christ had given them. Later, they laid hands on others to strengthen them as well. Through Confirmation we too are strengthened to meet the spiritual challenges in our lives. It deepens our baptismal graces so that we can grow and mature as disciples. Confirmation for teens is celebrated in spring of junior year or later. To begin preparing to celebrate Confirmation, contact Corinna Ramsey in the Christian Formation office.
Liturgy is the source and summit of our faith as Catholics. Therefore, it is important that candidates attend and participate in Mass each week.
Every Confirmation student and at least one parent/grandparent (we recommend that the whole family registers, if possible) needs to register for Generations of Faith. This is an integral part of the Confirmation program. Click here to find out more about our Generations of Faith program.
Growing Faith is what we call our once-a-month sessions when you meet with your Confirmation class. Confirmation preparation begins in 10th grade and ends after 11th grade. You will be in your Confirmation class with your grade.
If you were baptized or received your First Communion at Good Shepherd, we have your certificate on file. If not, we will need a copy of your baptismal certificate before you can be Confirmed.
1. Make up work is required for missing any session (GOF or Growing Faith).
2. Candidates are asked to contact Corinna or your catechist(s) ahead of time if you know you are going to miss a session. After the missed session, Corinna will email your make up work. All make up work should be handed in within 1 month of being emailed to you.
3. It is important for the formation of the entire group that everyone attends each session. You are missed when you do not attend, so please attend as many sessions as possible.
1. Each candidate needs to commit to one liturgical ministry and fully participate in that ministry. If your ministry helps each week, you should help each week. If your ministry helps at varied times during the year, you should make every effort to be there every time. We know that life makes us unable to be there every single week or every single time, but you should only miss your ministry commitment when necessary.
2. Every candidate needs to pick a liturgical ministry no later than the September Growing Faith session.
We will be participating in 3 service projects. Details will be emailed to candidates and parents as soon as they are ready. Every candidate needs to take part in all three projects.
Candidates are required to attend a retreat. Permission slips for this will be emailed out in when all the details are available.
Confirmation Retreat
January 28-29
Candidates are required to attend the retreat. This retreat will take place at Mount Tabor Center run by Spiritus Ministries in Menasha, WI. We will meet at Good Shepherd and return to Good Shepherd. Permission slips will be emailed out.
CONFIRMATION CANDIDATE INFORMATION SHEET
It is important that we be in contact with you during the process of Confirmation, so you can be up to date on expectations, events and activities. Please provide contact information of both you and your parents.
10th-11th Grade Candidate Information FormGrade 11 ONLY Candidate Sponsor & Saint Name Form
Each 11th grade candidate for Confirmation is asked to select a name by which to be confirmed. Confirmation names should reflect a saint or another holy mentor in your life.
*11th Grade* Candidate Saint Name FormGrade 11 ONLY Candiate Sponsor Form
11th Graders, please select your sponsor and fill out this form no later than September 22, 2023. No exceptions please! There is important *Time Sensitive* information that your sponsor needs. Please ask your sponsor right away. If you need help or guidance in choosing a sponsor, please ask your parent(s), catechists, or Corinna for some help. Also, please tell your sponsor about the Candidate-Sponsor meeting right away so they can get it on their calendar.
*11th Grade* Candidate Sponsor Information10th-11th Grade Candidate Ministry Signup Form
Select your ministry by September 24, 2023. If you are an 11th grader and participated in a ministry last year, you still need to fill this out for the current year. You can minister in the same ministry or a different one. And remember, ministry is more than just performing a duty; it should result in the enrichment of your faith. Training will be provided. You should participate in these ministries all year long.
10th-11th Grade Candidate Ministry Signup FormAdditional Information
Selecting a Sponsor
11th grade candidates need to choose and ask a sponsor. Here are the guidelines for choosing a sponsor:
1. Canon Law: These are the minimum requirements for a Confirmation Sponsor as identified by canon law.
- A sponsor must be at least sixteen years old.
- A sponsor must be a fully initiated Catholic (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) who “leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken.”
- A sponsor must not be under any church penalty.
- A sponsor may not be the parent of the one to be confirmed.
2. A sponsor is also:
- A model of how a person of faith lives in today’s world
- A person who knows the candidate and can witness to the maturing faith of the candidate over the course of a life time. Someone the candidate can talk to!
- Someone the candidate respects.
If your sponsor is unavailable during the year (ie: a college student), it is important to get another adult companion to journey with you. (An adult companion can be a parent or adult family member who will be able to attend large group activities with you.)
CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE THE CONTACT INFO OF YOUR SPONSOR
Candidate Questionnaire for the Bishop
Each candidate will be asked to fill out a candidate questionnaire form for the bishop about being Confirmed. Directions on what is expected in the form will come in your Growing Faith sessions.
11th Grade Candidate/Parent/Sponsor Meeting April 23
9:30am Mass, class, candidate/parent/sponsor meeting
11th Grade Confirmation candidates are expected to attend the meeting along with their parents. Sponsors are invited as well. We will begin with 9:30 Mass. The candidates will have class after Mass and then we will have a meeting with the sponsors and parents following class. At the meeting we will go over the final details of the process and share a bit of our faith stories with each other. This has been a very enjoyable session for parents, candidates and sponsors.
Confirmation Conversation
11th grade candidates are required to discuss their willingness to be Confirmed with Corinna or another adult on the list. There will be an email that will go out for you to contact your conversation adult to schedule your interview.
Confirmation Rehearsal: 6:30 PM May 18
Candidates and sponsors are required to attend rehearsal. If the sponsor cannot attend, there needs to be a stand-in in attendance for seating purposes and to inform the sponsor of the process on the day of the Confirmation Mass.
Confirmation Mass: 2:00 PM May 21
St. James, Menomonee Falls
Please tell your friends, family and sponsors now so they can get it on their calendars. Sponsors and candidates will need to be at St. James by 1:30 PM. Further details and dress code will be given out in April.
What Sponsors need to know:
It is an honor to be asked to be a sponsor for your teen. Congratulations!! Now what?!
- Be there for your candidate. Talk to them about their life as a Catholic teen.
- Share your faith with them. Share what your faith is now, what it was back when you were their age and any time in between.
- Check the schedule and put the dates on your calendar. Please do what you can to be present at the Sponsor/Candidate Day of Reflection, the Candidate/Sponsor/Parent meeting, Confirmation Rehearsal and of course, Confirmation Mass.
- You do not need to attend the GOF or Growing Faith sessions but feel free to ask your candidate how it’s going.
- Spend some time with your candidate. If you are long distance, send them text, emails or talk on the phone.
- Remember that being a sponsor doesn’t mean your job is over after Confirmation Day. Keep in touch with your Confirmand after Confirmation and talk about God regularly with him/her.
Click here for a wonderful guidebook for sponsors
11th grade Candidate/Parent/Sponsor Meeting: April 23
11th grade candidates are expected to attend the meeting along with their parents. Sponsors are invited as well. We will begin with 9:30 Mass. The candidates will have class after Mass and then we will have a meeting with the sponsors and parents following class. At the meeting we will go over the final details of the process and share a bit of our faith stories with each other. This has been a very enjoyable session for parent, candidate and sponsor.
Confirmation Rehearsal: 6:30 PM May 18
Candidates and sponsors are required to attend rehearsal. If the sponsor cannot attend, there needs to be a stand-in in attendance for seating purposes and to inform the sponsor of the process on the day of the Confirmation Mass.
Confirmation Mass: 2:00 PM May 21
Confirmation Mass will be on Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 PM at St. James in Menomonee Falls. Sponsors and candidates will need to be at St. James by 1:30 PM. Further details and dress code will be given out in April.
What parents need to know:
- Parents and the first teachers of their children and part of what you did was to get your child baptized and help him/her receive First Communion.
- Confirmation is the last Sacrament of Initiation, and your teen may need your help enrolling in the program.
- Your teen may also need someone to talk to about what Confirmation is and why they should be Confirmed. Be there for them. Listen to them. Do you best to understand where they are coming from.
- It’s okay if your teen isn’t 100% convinced that Confirmation is for them. That is all part of the process of the 2 years of preparation that they receive though our program. When it comes time for Confirmation Day, the choice needs to be made by your teen but right now they may need a nudge in the direction of Confirmation.
- We are here to support you. Our Christian Formation staff are here to assist, listen, remind and support both you and your teen. Please reach out at any time with questions or concerns.
Click here for a wonderful guidebook for parents
Confirmation Rehearsal: 6:30 PM May 18
Candidates and sponsors are required to attend rehearsal. If the sponsor cannot attend, there needs to be a stand-in in attendance for seating purposes and to inform the sponsor of the process on the day of the Confirmation Mass.
Confirmation Mass: 2:00 PM May 21
Confirmation Mass will be on Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 PM at St. James in Menomonee Falls. Sponsors and candidates will need to be at St. James by 1:30 PM. Further details and dress code will be given out in April.
Our Team
Corinna Ramsey
Director of Child & Youth Ministry
Mary Oswald
Formation Ministries Associate