Confirmation Preparation - Upcoming Changes!

  Upcoming Changes in the Journey towards Confirmation (2026-2031):   Bishop William Joensen recently shared a message with all the faithful regarding a significant and joyful shift in the sacramental life of the Church in central and southwest Iowa. Over the next 3-4 years, the age for the celebration of Confirmation is gradually moving from high school down to the 6th grade.   This change comes after a year of intense study, national review, and deep prayer by a diocesan task force, who recommended the move for three key reasons:

• Heart-Level Receptivity: Young people at this age are uniquely receptive to a personal, life-changing encounter with Jesus that seals their identity as disciples.
• Spiritual Armor for Adolescence: We want our young people to have the full gifts of the Holy Spirit before they begin to face the heavy cultural realities, scheduling pressures, and challenges that arise during adolescence.
• Equipped for Mission: Confirmation strengthens baptismal grace, anchoring a young person’s identity in Christ and equipping them to live as Jesus did and share his love.

Updated Journey towards Confirmation (2026-2027): Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Church offers a partnership with parents, catechists, sponsors and youth to offer a new 1-year preparation process for the 2026-2027 year for our incoming 9th graders. Our 9th-10th graders will celebrate of Confirmation in November of 2027, the exact date TBD very soon.

What will our 9th & 10th Graders be doing for preparation this upcoming year?

9th & 10th Grade -Curriculum: "YDisciple: Never Alone" - An invitation to know and be known by the Holy Spirit. This Fall, both incoming 9th graders and 10th graders will be engaged in 1 year of study, service and prayer and will deepen their understanding of the Holy Spirit through discussion & scripture study.

Youth Ministry Opportunities:

GLUE, Weekend Opportunities:  Growing in Prayer, Growing in Fellowship, Growing in Service!  Many opportunities are available throughout middle school and high school. McKenna Smith is our Coordinator of Youth Ministry!                      

 Staying on Course in the Process:

 As we progress along the journey towards Confirmation as a 9th grader or as a 10th grader, there are steps along the way for the parent, student and sponsor.  Please note the meetings for parents, students and sponsors below as well as information on the Confirmation Retreats. Please also provide OLIH with what is needed as indicated in the check-list below!

9TH-10th GRADE CHECK-LIST (2026-2027)

✅ 9th Grade Parent & Student Confirmation Meeting: Sunday November 8th, 7-8pm

✅ 10th Grade Parent & Student Confirmation Meeting: Monday November 9th, 7-8pm

✅ Parents Please submit Baptismal Information for your 9th Grader by CLICKING HERE – Due by December 15th, 2026 (10th grade parent’s deadline was last year - if you haven’t done this, please also submit ASAP)

✅ Service & Reflection – Complete three service projects and submit by August 15, 2027. Submit your service reflections by CLICKING HERE.

✅ Attend Confirmation Retreat: Please register accordingly no later than January 15th:

9th Grader Retreat: Thursday, May 6th, 2027, 5pm–9PM at OLIH. CLICK HERE to Register.

10th Grader Retreat: Friday, May 7th, 2027 5pm-9pm at OLIH. CLICK HERE to Register. 

✅ Choose Sponsor ASAP and have your Sponsor Submit Sponsor Information- CLICK HERE (Sponsors complete this) – Due by March 15, 2027 .

✅ Sponsors come for an Orientation – Monday, April 12, 2027, 6:30 PM at OLIH in the Banquet Room.

✅ Sponsors & Students Arrange Meetings– 3-5 times between April and August 15, 2027.

✅ Parents Please Submit a Photo – Email Picture by April 15th, 2027 to Gina Pisut at OLIH.

✅ Finish All Sponsor Meetings – By August 15, 2027. After your last meeting together your sponsor needs to complete their online evaluation and recommendation by CLICKING HERE.

 Confirmation Mass for the 10th Graders of 2025-2026: Takes place in the Fall of their 11th Grade Year 2026

• Friday, Nov 6th (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Rehearsal for Sponsors & Youth at OLIH.

• Saturday, Nov 7th (9:30 AM): Youth meet with the Bishop.

• Saturday, Nov 7th (10:30 AM): Confirmation Mass! 

Helpful Resources for parents of youth Grades 9-10

• Prayer to Share Together as Family
• What All Parents should know about Confirmation
• Stages of Development - 9th Grade
• Stages of Development - 10th Grade
• Christian Service
• Choosing a Sponsor
• Your Confirmation Name
• A Walk Through The Rite of Confirmation

IDEAS FOR CHRISTIAN SERVICE During 9-10 grade

Not sure what to do for Service? There will always be service opportunities in the weekly Lifelong Faith Formation Update email, however, below is a list of organizations in the Des Moines Metro Area. Gather some friends, your faith formation class or family members and contact the service agency to discover the opportunities they may have available.

List of Service Organizations

Hand-write cards/notes to people in nursing homes, shut ins, rehab centers, hospitals, prisons, or for people in your own neighborhood. Cards can be sent throughout the year for many occasions:

• Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentines, Happy New Year, Epiphany, Thinking of You, Praying for you, etc.
• Consider volunteering to call the homebound to say hello or to learn a little bit more about their life story
• Organize a "cookie bake" and deliver the cookies to your neighbors
• Organize a service event to gather supplies for outreach to those in need.  For instance: Tie Blankets, Health Kits, School kits. Youth Ministry provides many service opportunities throughout the year including a Spring Break mission trip that stays in our local area.  Contact McKenna Smith our Coordintor of Youth Ministry for more information!
• Consider becoming a Cross Bearer, Lector, Hospitality member, Nursery Volunteer or member of the choir and instrumentalists for Mass. Contact Randy Henderson to learn more! 

Sponsors

Role of a Sponsor

As a confirmation sponsor, you will assist the candidate by answering their questions about the Church and helping them become more familiar with the parish community. Additionally, you will introduce the candidate to the parish, announcing their readiness to embrace Christian discipleship and participate in the Church's mission. 

Requirements for Sponsors

• Be a confirmed Catholic
• Be at least 16 years of age
• Be an Active, Participating (Practicing) member of the Catholic Church
• A candidate's parent can not serve as a sponsor
• Sponsors must read and be familiar with the the following documents:  Welcome Letter for Sponsors, Introduction to Confirmation, History and Development of the Sacrament of Confirmation, and fill out the Sponsor Information form.

Sponsor Orientation Materials

• Welcome Letter for Sponsors
• Introduction to Confirmation
• History & Development of the Sacrament of Confirmation
• Catholic Prayers and Practices
• Key Teachings of the Catholic Church

Sponsor Materials to be used when meeting with Candidate

• Important Dates for Sponsors of 10th Graders (2025-2026)
• A prayer for your candidate (for use during your prayer time)
• Tips for Sponsors when meeting with candidate
• Prayer to share with your candidate during 1st meeting
• Sponsor & Candidate Session outline (suggested outline for meeting with your Candidate using the Faith to Faith Resource & Prayer Guide for the Journey)
• Faith to Faith Resource - Part 1 (Conversation Resource to use with Candidate)
• Faith to Faith Resource - Part 2 (Conversation Resource to use with Candidate)
• A Prayer Guide for the Journey 
• Prayer to the Holy Spirit (prayer to use with your candidate at the end of each time you meet)

Helpful Supplemental Resources

• Glossary of terms
• A Walk Through the Rite of Confirmation

What Does the Sponsor Need to Turn in to the office

• Sponsor evaluation and recommendation form

What Does the Candidate need to turn into the office?

 Candidates should have completed the following by August 15th (Summer between 10th & 11th Grade):

• Service Reflections (2 for 9th grade and 2 for 10th grade)
• Attended a Retreat Experience
• Attended Mass Weekly with family or on their own
• Attended regular faith formation sessions
• Provided a picture to the office for the Confirmation Banner
• Provided the office with Baptismal Information
• Provided the office with Name to be printed on name tag for the Confirmation Mass & name to print in the worship aid
• Provided the office with name of sponsor