Information
Confirmation Retreat Permission Form
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: August 29 | 7:00-8:00 PM | Marcy Center.
Teen must attend with at least 1 parent. If you can’t make it, set up a one-on-one meeting with Sami.
Small Group: If you participated in freshman discipleship, you will have 6 small group sessions, and if you did not, you will have 12 small group sessions. Our small groups are interactive, not classroom style. Our amazing catechists lead small group Bible studies focusing on what it means to be a disciple - developing a life of prayer, reading Scripture, learning about the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and following him, and learning what the sacrament of Confirmation really means. How do I sign up? Sign-ups will happen post-parent meeting. There will be several options with teens’ busy and changing schedules!
Sponsor: You will meet with your sponsor 4 times during the year before getting confirmed. Sponsors will receive training, guidance, direction, and support.
Retreats: November 17-19 or February 16-18. All must participate even those who attended a freshman retreat
Service: Write about a recent service experience. We care less about the hours, but the impact made on the teens and whoever they served! In the last year, how have you served others? If you can’t think of anything, it’s time to get some service experience! Recommendation: doing service with your sponsor!
Choose a saint!: What saint do you look up to? Do some research and ask around if you aren’t sure who to choose! Write a one-page reflection on your saint, due the first week of December or first week of April (depending on when your small group is). Hand into small group leader. You wear the name of your saint on Confirmation day!
Letter of Intent to the archbishop: Due April 1,2024. 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.
What qualifies as service? Work for the good of others that you do not get paid for nor is it part of the expectations upon us as members of a family.
