Information
Bishop Confirmation Candidate Questionnaire
Sponsor Letter of Reference
Why Junior Year
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee identifies junior year as the most developmentally appropriate time for an individual to pursue the preparation and reception of this sacrament. Individuals must have reached the age of reason so that he/she may understand its meaning most completely. The person must be baptized. They must freely profess the Catholic faith. They must be in a state of grace, following the laws of Christ an the Church and not be guilty of any serious, unconfessed sins. They must also wish to be confirmed and must be willing to be a witness for Christ.
Requirements for Confirmation
Individuals desiring to be confirmed must go through formal preparation for the reception of the sacrament in which certain expectations must be fulfilled. At St. Dominic Catholic Parish, we expect that all students participating in confirmation preparation have also been engaging in the formation and community provided through our Life Teen ministry and events throughout high school.
Parent/Teen Info Meeting: TBA
Small Groups
Each teen will participate in 12 weeks of small group which will start in the fall and finish up in spring. Teens will be given instructions at the Confirmation meeting how to sign up. Small group will be weekly except for holidays/breaks.
When are small groups? Teens will be able to choose a time that works best for their schedule. There will be options on Sunday and a few week nights. TBA due to leader availability/recruitment.
During two of these weeks, each student will have a touch-base meeting with their small group leader
Large Groups
This year, we added large group, due to student feedback. They will be called "Confirmation Life Nights" and run in a similar way to Life Teen, but only for juniors and Confirmation-specific content. There will be two in fall and two in spring, on a Sunday night from 6:15-8:15 PM.
Sponsors
At St. Dominic, your sponsor will be involved in your Confirmation prep. The students will meet with their sponsor throughout the year, on their own time frame. I will host an initial training info meeting for sponsors and parents. Start thinking about who your sponsor could be! It is far better to choose someone local than long distance.
Who should you choose? Someone's faith you admire. They must be a confirmed, practicing Catholic. You just cannot choose mom or dad.
Retreats
The two retreat options for this year are November 15-17 and February 14-16. Further instructions will be given for how to sign up, but for now you can think about which weekend works best for you.
Service
Students need to have recent service experience. We do not require hours, but encourage students to do something meaningful. They have to write about service experience in their application to the bishop.
Small groups will do a service project together as a group sometime during the year!
Make-up Policy
If your teen is missing Confirmation prep meetings, we talk about it! Depending on the situation, it could be with the small group leader, me, or both. Busy work doesn't help our goal of reaching teens for Christ. If a teen does not communicate to their group leaders of their attendance, or misses a few in a row, it will be a conversation to see what's going on!
Letter of Intent to the archbishop
Each teen will fill out send to the bishop. this is due in the spring. Please email to Suzette Hildebrand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my teen enters into St. Dominic Catholic Parish outside the standard timelines? We are glad that you are here! We understand how life can throw us curveballs, so we will work with your situation in order for your teen to begin preparations right away in order to meet the timeline for reception of the sacrament.
What if we can’t meet the obligations of the program? We understand that life happens. It is important that parents, student, sponsor, and the St. Dominic staff work together to support the reception of the sacrament to the best of our abilities knowing the expectations of the sacrament.
I have a pretty crazy schedule, can my parents teach me? We understand that Junior year in high school carries many responsibilities. We don’t wish your Confirmation preparation to be “one more thing”. We desire it to be “the thing”. We would encourage you to make the time to prepare well. Preparation involves doing so in a community. We would prefer that attendance in small group occur.
When are the retreat dates? November 15-17 and February 14-16
What if my teen needs to come later or leave early for retreat? We are not able to allow late arrival or early release.
What if my teen can't make a retreat? If they cannot make either of the St. Dominic retreat dates, they can attend with a different parish.
When will small groups meet? Students will get to choose the small group time that works best for their schedule. Options will be determined once leader availabilities are finalized. Students will likely be able to choose between Sunday and a couple weeknight options.
How often will small groups meet and when do they start/end? Small groups will meet weekly through the end of March, but will be off over the breaks/holidays.
Is there a parent meeting? Confirmation students and at least one parent are required to attend an informational meeting. TBA
Is there a service requirement? We ask that teens do something meaningful and impactful that they can write in their application to the bishop. We do not require hours or “type of service” i.e. school/parish/community right now. Each small group will do a service project together some time during the year.
Who should I choose for a sponsor? An confirmed, practicing Catholic who you look up to. It cannot be a parent but it can be a different family member. You should only choose your sibling if they are a practicing Catholic. What to look for: Do they pray consistently? Do they have a relationship with Christ? Do they go to mass every Sunday? Do you admire their faith? Do they model a life of following Jesus? Will you be able to be vulnerable with them, open with them, and talk about faith?
What does a sponsor do? Sponsors will be part of your Confirmation preparation. Students will meet with their sponsor throughout the year, on their own time frame. Sponsors and students will have an initial training session, but then they will meet on their own schedule.
When does my teen need to choose a sponsor? Teens should choose their sponsor in September or October.
