What 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. 
 

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 their sponsor 
• Long-term service project in parish or community

PURPOSE

We use 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. 
 

Responsibilities

Candidates

In addition to an 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 and return it to the Faith Formation Office by March 9, 2022.

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 the sponsor form with your candidate and return it to the Faith Formation Office by March 9, 2022.

Confirmation Year 1 Handbook

Coming soon! View or print 2022-23 Confirmation Year 1 Handbook. 
 

Formation

Sessions

Scroll to the bottom of this page for session details and a calendar.

Retreat

Candidates will participate in a retreat during Year 2 of preparation. Details will be shared at the beginning of Year 2 or as they become available.

Saint Name

Candidates will research and select a Catholic saint who inspires him or her. Once selected, the candidate will write a two-page summary that includes biographical details. Consider, How did the Saint model Christ's love? How does the Saint's life inspire your friendship with Christ? Please email your summary to confirmation@stbonifacechurch.org by February 16, 2022.
 

Service

Upcoming Service (Parish Life Hours)

Mondays after school, help tidy up the pews in the church. Contact Cindy Clefisch at cclefisch@stbonifacechurch.org or call 515-85-1883.

Upcoming Service (Faith Formation & Mass Ministry Hours)

Throughout the Faith Formation year, help with Safety Team on the evenings that you don't have class.

• Important! You must sign up for the Safety Team along with a parent or guardian! 
• Use this link  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4eafa723abfbc70-stboniface 

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 

Grade 9 (Year 1)

Grade 9 meets about twice a month during the faith formation year, with breaks for holidays that align with local school districts and Catholic Church holy days. Session times are Mondays from 5:45-6:45pm or Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00pm.

The calendar below is an overview of the upcoming year as of May 1, 2022, with specific dates to be added as they become available. Additional parent information meetings and parent/child sacramental preparation sessions may also be part of the formation year. Please review the Faith Formation Handbook 2022-23 and read weekly emails throughout the year from the Faith Formation Office. 
 

Calendar 2022-23 (UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE!)

Core Team Resources

This section is under construction. Thank you for your patience!

Lesson Plans

Click on the session date below to view and print a specific lesson plan.


 

Internal Forms

Click on the document title to view and print.

Parish Ministry Application