What (and When) is Confirmation?

Along with Baptism and Eucharist, Confirmation is one of the three initiation sacraments and is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. Conferred in the 10th grade or older in the Diocese of Des Moines, Confirmation is a sacred moment that enables you to recognize and respond to God's call. In the sacrament, God's Holy Spirit communicates seven significant gifts: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, piety/devotion, courage, counsel, and the obedient love of an adopted daughter or son. 

The Rite of Confirmation for current 10th graders is scheduled for Sunday, October 10, 2021, at 1pm with Bishop William Joensen here at St. Boniface.  Candidates will gather in the parish hall one hour prior to the celebration of the sacrament for a conversation with Bishop. 
 

Program Description

As recommended by Bishop Joensen and the Diocese of Des Moines Office of Evangelization & Faith Formation, Confirmation preparation in the parish is to be a two-year process beginning in 9th grade, with the sacrament typically conferred during the 10th grade year. This preparation supplements and supports ongoing preparation by parents as the primary faith formators of their children in the home. 

Confirmation Year 1 (9th Grade)

Confirmation Year 1 will include the following components. Additional details will be available soon. Thank you for your patience!

• Parent/teen information meeting 
• Initial discernment conversation  
• Formation sessions (meet on Mondays or Wednesdays)
• Monthly conversations with sponsor 
• Long-term service project in parish or community

PURPOSE

In 2020-21, we began using PURPOSE, from Catholic publisher LifeTeen, to prepare our Confirmation candidates. PURPOSE is formed around these questions: "Why God?", "Why Jesus?” and “Why Church?” and offers a transformational plan for the Confirmation journey that seeks to draw youth to become disciples of Jesus who will go out and bear witness to His love in the world today. Click here to learn more about PURPOSE. 
 

Responsibilites

Candidates

In addition to ongoing formation that takes place in the home, Candidates for the sacrament of Confirmation are invited to prepare by participating in our parish preparation program, which includes formation, service opportunities, and discernment interviews. Each candidate will also select a sponsor at the beginning of Year 1 to accompany him or her on this faith journey. Please print and complete with your sponsor the sponsor form at this link and return to Amy Slick in the Faith Formation Office by September 15 of Year 1.

Parents

As parents, you are the primary formators of your child in the faith and the parish is here to support you! We highly encourage parents or guardians and other significant adults in the candidate's life to see themselves as companions on a lifelong journey of faith with their teen. We believe and want to help our children understand that the sacrament of Confirmation is lived out in service as part of our baptismal call as Catholic Christians. As with all sacraments, they are not just one-day celebrations, but moments of encounter with Jesus to strengthen us for mission.

Encourage your teen to attend formation sessions, participate in service to the parish and outreach in the community, and be open to any and all questions as you travel this journey together. Please review this website page carefully and read all communications from the Faith Formation Office.

Sponsors

A sponsor's role in the candidate's preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is essential and he or she is invited to prayerfully consider the importance of the role of a companion on a journey that helps draw the candidate closer to Christ. Sponsors are asked to meet with the candidate once a month to reflect together on the candidate's faith journey.

Sponsors may also be asked to write a letter of readiness on behalf of the candidate prior to Confirmation. Please print and complete with your candidate the sponsor form at this link and return it to Megan Schraeger in the Faith Formation Office.
 

Formation

Sessions

 Scroll to the bottom of this page for the complete formation schedule.

Retreat

Candidates will participate in a retreat during Year 2 of preparation. More details will be shared at the beginning of Year 2.

Saint Name

Candidates will research and select a Catholic saint who inspires him or her. Once selected, the candidate will write a one-page summary about the saint.  Please send to Megan Schraeger at mschraeger@stbonifacechurch.org.
 

Service

Each candidate will complete two service projects, 1) a family project and 2) a project with his or her sponsor. The project choice is up to the candidate. Here are ideas for possible projects:

Parish service and community outreach ideas for Confirmation candidates
Click here to view and print.

Items to put in food baskets for the needy
https://pocketsense.com/items-put-food-baskets-needy-8085.html

You are encouraged to take a picture during or after each of your projects, as well as write a one-page summary that describes 1) how you encountered Christ as a part of the project and 2) how you were a witness of Christ to others. Please send to Megan Schraeger at mschraeger@stbonifacechurch.org.
 

Discernment 

Our goal is for a member of our faith formation team to have at least two conversations with Confirmation Candidates as a part of the preparation for the sacrament. 

• An initial conversation to get to know each candidate and learn about his or her current relationship with Christ, as well as discuss service opportunities.
• A conversation near the end of the program to assess each candidate's readiness and willingness for the sacrament, as well as to offer an opportunity to reflect on the preparation process and discuss his or her future and ongoing faith journey and involvement in the life of the parish community.

Sessions & Schedule 2021-22

Grade 9 (Year 1)

Grade 9 meets weekly during the faith formation year, with breaks for holidays that align with local school districts and Catholic Church holy days. The calendar below shows the specific dates in bold that are required for your student to attend, followed by events that are highly encouraged and beneficial for your student's formation. Additional parent information meetings and parent/child sacramental preparation sessions may also be part of the formation year. Please see the Faith Formation Handbook 2021-22 for specific dates, and watch for emails throughout the year from the Faith Formation Office. Session times are:

Mondays
5:45-7:00pm

Wednesdays
7:00-8:15pm

Calendar