What Is Confirmation Preparation?
Our Confirmation Preparation program aims to help young men and women deepen their relationships with Jesus, grow in knowledge of the faith, and empower them to share the light of Christ in their homes, schools, and friend groups.
This two-year formation process is open to all seventh and eighth graders at St. Gertrude Parish. We begin our formation in seventh grade, and candidates may receive Confirmation at the end of their eighth grade year.* Please see our program commitments below.
All Confirmation candidates are also invited to join us for our junior high youth ministry offerings.
*Candidates who are homeschooled, enrolled in St. Gertrude School, or receive faith formation at other Catholic schools are invited to participate in our Confirmation Preparation ministry! However, they are not required to participate in the entire program to be confirmed at the parish. Some key elements may still be expected. Contact Walter Plummer, director of Children & Youth evangelization, at wplummer@stgertrude.org so we can determine how to best support your candidate’s preparation for the sacrament!
Program Elements & Session Times
Check out all the details in the 2025-2026 Confirmation Preparation Handbook!
- Parent/Candidate Sessions: September 14, 2025; January 11, 2026; April 26, 2026 | 10:15–11:45 a.m. | St. Gertrude School
- John 1:38 Letter: A letter from each candidate explaining why he or she is entering preparation.
- Overnight Confirmation Retreat: Saturday, November 14-15, 2025
- NEW Weekly Candidate Formation Meetings: Sundays, September 2025–April 2026 | 10:15–11:45 a.m. | St. Gertrude School (previously bi-weekly)
- Personal Spiritual Plans: Regular meetings throughout the year with parents and mentors. Use the 2025-2026 Personal Spiritual Plan Logs to enter your logs from your PSP meetings! Check out the Personal Spiritual Plan Meeting Guide and Prayer-Focused Personal Spiritual Plan Outline for more guidance.
- Teaching Mass: Parents and candidates attend either January 22 or March 5, 2026.
- Baptismal Certificate on Record
- Letter to the Pastor: Letter expressing an understanding of and desire to receive Confirmation.
- Sponsor Meeting: Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 11:30-1:30 p.m.
- Confirmation Rehearsal: May 2, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | St. Gertrude Church
- Confirmation Mass: May 3, 2026, 3 p.m. | St. Gertrude Church (Reception to follow)
Registration
Registration for 2025-2026 Confirmation Preparation opens Wednesday, July 9, 2025!
Cost
Confirmation Preparation costs $100/child for the required formation program.
Financial assistance is available for all families. Please see our registration page or contact Kristen Eggers at kristen@stgertrude.org for more information.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our Confirmation Preparation program, please contact Walter Plummer, director of Children and Youth evangelization, at wplummer@stgertrude.org or (513) 561-5954, ext. 2122.
