Confirmation

Confirmation is a two year process for Anchor Ames Catholic Youth Ministry High School Candidates, where we focus on knowing, loving and following the Lord, and finding our call to serve with our whole heart. Confirmation preparation nurtures a personal and communal relationship with Christ and the Church in our candidates, impressing upon our teen parishioners the call to lead & change the world.

We start in the Confirmation Preparation process in 9th grade as Year 1 and continue into their 10th grade as Year 2.

Requirements
To enter preparation, a candidate will:

Provide a copy of their Baptismal certificate at the beginning of 9th grade.
Choose a sponsor. Sponsors are companions on this journey; candidates must select a sponsor who is a Confirmed at least 16 years old, Catholic non-parent in good standing with the Church in their freshmen year. Sponsors can be an older sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle, cousin, friend, mentor. Someone you admire and look up to because of their faith.
Attend 4 classes a year with their sponsor, or a parent/older sibling OR make up the material through home study (see below)
Attend weekly faith formation (HS Small Groups or Life Teen) as part of their sacrament preparation. Small service projects and prayer experiences are completed with their HS Small Groups or Life Teen family.

Candidates are also strongly encouraged to attend their Sophomores' Confirmation retreat.

Sacrament Preparation
Can be done by taking quarterly classes

Quarterly classes are from 2:00-4:30 PM at St. Cecilia on October 8, November 12, January 14 & February 11. Reminders will be sent to parents and sponsors before class. Classes are co-ed and divided alphabetically so young people can build community with others preparing for the sacrament, outside of their Small Group/Life Teen group.
These classes are to learn about the sacrament, what happens and a brief overview of our faith. They are to be combined with attending weekly faith formation opportunities (Life Teen and/or Small Groups). Weekly opportunities build and deepen personal relationship with Jesus Christ and reinforce what is happening at the preparation classes and what will happen & graces received from the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Or can be done by Home Study - see below and contact Kayla if choosing this option.

Home Study & Make-Up

The digital nature of our curriculum is fantastic and makes home study easy and comfortable. Due to copyrights, however, we cannot post public access to our curriculum (i.e. on this site.) You can make-up any classes from home by contacting the St. Cecilia Faith Formation Office. If you're interested in completing all 8 classes for sacramental preparation with your sponsor at home, contact Kayla Greiner.

A community of peers and a personal mentor are essential for discipleship: the heart of all sacraments. For this reason, all students including home study candidates are required to participate in weekly faith formation, either Life Teen (Sundays) or HS Small Group (Wednesdays). Candidates who complete home study Confirmation for the entire year are also required to attend their 10th Grade Confirmation Retreat.

HOME STUDY/MAKE-UP INSTRUCTIONS

Parent Sheets & Discussion Questions

Session One and Five are the first session of the year (October), Session Two and Six are the second session of the year (November), etc., etc.
Year One                                                          Year Two
Session One                                                      Session Five
Session Two                                                      Session Six
Session Three                                                   Session Seven
Session Four                                                     Session Eight

Additional discussion questions from class can also be utilized at home or for make-up.
October Freshmen Questions (Session One)
October Sophomore Questions (Session Five)
November Freshmen Questions (Session Two)
November Sophomore Questions (Session Six)
January Freshmen Questions (Session Three)
January Sophomore Questions (Session Seven)
February Freshmen Questions (Session Four)
February Sophomore Questions (Session Eight)