What Is Confirmation Preparation?
Our Confirmation preparation invites young men and women into deeper intentional Catholic discipleship through prayer, study, communal life, and personal apostolates
Currently, this formation and discernment process is open to all St. Gertrude Parish seventh and eighth graders.* Over the next three years, we will move toward opening the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation to any person 12 years and older. We plan to confirm youth in 8th grade for the 2026–2027 academic year. The following year, 2027–2028, we plan to expand Confirmation to 7th graders and older. For the 2028–2029 academic year, we plan to open Confirmation preparation to anyone who will be 12 years old or older at the time of his or her reception of the sacrament.
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 Confirmation preparation. 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
Check out all the details in the Confirmation Candidate Formation Growth Plan.
- Step 1 – July-September: Candidates who desire to be confirmed register online or contact our Confirmation preparation coordinator (contact information is on page 1 of the Growth Plan).
- Step 2 – July–September: Candidates and their parents read the Growth Plan packet and discuss the practices and commitments that will be most helpful for them to grow as disciples of Jesus.
- Step 3 – September: Candidates and their parents attend the kickoff meeting on Tuesday, September 15, or Thursday, September 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
- Step 4 – September: Candidates turn in their Growth Plans by September 30.
- Step 5 – September–May: Candidates practice their Growth Plans and turn in monthly journal entries.
- Step 6 – November–March: Candidates (8th graders) being confirmed in the 2026–2027 academic year arrange a discernment meeting to discuss their readiness and desire to receive Confirmation.
Those being confirmed in the 2026–2027 academic year (8th graders) will also need to choose a sponsor and attend the following meetings and events:
- Candidate & Sponsor Meeting: Sunday, February 7, 2027 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Confirmation Rehearsal: Tuesday, May 11, 2027 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
- Confirmation Mass: Sunday, May 16, 2027 | 3-4:30 p.m.
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.