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 fortitude.
 

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)
• At least 15 Service hours, 10 of which need to be completed in the parish - candidates may start volunteer hours as early as Summer '22

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. 

 

Handbook, Sessions,, Schedule, & Service Opportunities

Confirmation Year 1 Handbook

Click here to print or view or print 2022-23 Confirmation Year 1 Handbook. 

Confirmation Year 1 Service Hours Log

Click here to view or print the Confirmation Year 1 Service Hours Log.
 

Sessions 

Year 1 ( traditionally Grade 9)

Confirmation Year 1 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. Please read weekly emails (Flocknotes) throughout the year from the Faith Formation Office. 

Confirmation Year 1 Schedule

Click here to print or view the Confirmation Year 1 Schedule.

Service Opportunities

Monday afternoons after schook or before/after Faith Formation class
Help straighten missals and prayer cards in the church pews. Contact Cindy Clefisch at 515-850-1883 or email cclefisch@stbonifacechurch.org 

Faith Formation Volunteers
Teen volunteers may be a classroom helpers, office assistants, or safety team (with a parent).  This would be an hour commitment each week. Please email familyfaith@stboniface... or call 515-850-1883 and provide your name, what role you are interested in, contact information, and which days/times would work for you: Monday 4:30 or 5:45; Wednesday 4:30 or 5:45.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word
CLOW is looking for assistance on Sundays during both the 8:30and 10:30 mass times! This is fun and rewarding experience for older students who enjoy young children plus service hours (if needed).   Please contact Jackie at 319-350-3410 for more information or click here to sign up.

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. A signed commitment form will be due October 3-12, depending on which night you have class. Each candidate will also select a sponsor at the beginning of Year 1 to accompany him or her on this faith journey. 

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 assist the canidate in filling out a sponsor form.  The form must be signed by a Catholic priest of the Sponsor's parish and returned to the canidate. This form is due November 6-17, depending on which night you have class.  Sponsors and candidates are asked to meet, either in person or via phone, a handful of times to discuss topics of the Catholic faith.  Candidates will then write reflections based on those conversations.  It is ideal if the sponsor can join the canidate on the day of Confirmation. 

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 and sites used for research.  See the handbook for more details.   
 

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. 

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