Welcome to Our Lady of the Lake Confirmation Preparation, Grades 7-12

2024-25 Youth Formation Classes

To register your youth (grade 7-12) for Confirmation Preparation, please contact Micaela Hemmer, Confirmation Director (Found under "Contact Us")
for registration information and link.

A new approach to family faith formation! The Faith Formation staff at Our Lady of the Lake is excited to offer this engaging way for families to grow in their faith individually and as a domestic church.
This year our EXPLORE FOUR program will utilize the parish and the family home as its source for learning, prayer, worship, and service. We will provide examples of how families can actively live their faith in both environments.
Each of the categories listed on the EXPLORE FOUR Chart has events or activities that correspond to one of the four areas of faith life. We STUDY by attending classes, We PRAY by learning the prayers and setting aside time to pray as a family, individually, and parish community, We WORSHIP by coming together to celebrate the Sacraments and Liturgy and We LIVE our faith through the day to day interactions with one another and our community through Christian service! 

All Confirmation Candidates will participate in the Explore Four model of family faith formation.   All  EXPLORE FOUR activities or events will require the Confirmation Candidate to complete the online reflection form to receive credit for that activity or event.

We look forward to partnering with you as your youth and the rest of your family grow in the Catholic Faith through our EXPLORE FOUR FAMILY FAITH FORMATION.
 

 Explore Four Details & Requirements

25 Total Explore Four Credits

• 18 Class attendance credits 

• 7 Explore Four Credits from the Service, Faith Practice & Social Pillars. Each youth must fill out an online reflection form for each Explore four credit.
  Explore 4 reflection form here
   

 

Class Times

Sundays:         5:15 - 6:30 pm
                            7:00-8:15 pm
Wednesdays: 6:00-7:15 pm
**Please note that not all classes listed below are offered at every session **

Preparing for Confirmation: Youth in grades 7-12 will prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation and explore our Catholic faith through Our Lady of the Lake’s Explore Four program, which encourages faith exploration through four pillars - study (class), social, service, and faith practice opportunities. 

* There will be 18 scheduled classes (study pillar) between August 25, 2024, and May 1st, 2025. Youth preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation are required to attend a minimum of 15 in-person classes to fulfill study requirements for the 2024-25 year. Make up work is required for any in-person class missed and is expected to be turned in to the Faith Formation office within two weeks  of the missed class unless other arrangements have been made.

*Youth will also complete a minimum of 7 total additional Explore Four activities from the pillars of social, service, and faith practice. These opportunities are outlined on the Explore Four Chart and must be completed between June 1, 2024-May 1, 2025. Explore Four credit is earned for social, service, and faith practice activities by completing and submitting the Youth Ministry Explore Four Reflection form found on the parish website under the Youth tab on Confirmation Preparation page. This reflection should reveal the students understanding of how their service, social, or faith practice activity relates to, and enriches, life in the Church. 

Grade 7-8 Confirmation Preparation Year 1 (CY1) : 

Youth in grades 7 & 8 that have received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and in their first year of sacramental preparation for Confirmation. In addition to the Explore Four requirements listed above all CY1 youth will attend two separate mini retreats held at the parish. Youth will also seek out and invite a qualified family member or friend to commit to being his or her Confirmation sponsor and complete the Sponsor Interview. CY1 youth will also choose and research a Confirmation Patron Saint and write a Biography about that Saint.

Grade 7-8 Eucharist/Confirmation Preparation Year 1 (CY1):

Youth in Grades 7-8 that have been baptized and are in their first year of sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. This may also include youth that have not been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. In addition to the Explore Four requirements listed above all CY1 youth will attend two separate retreats held at the parish.  Youth will also seek out and invite a qualified family member or friend to commit to being his or her Confirmation sponsor and complete the Sponsor Interview. CY1 youth will also choose and research a Confirmation Patron Saint and write a Biography about that Saint. High School.

If a youth has not received the Sacrament of Baptism, he or she will be prepared for the sacrament and receive baptism as soon as possible. Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation is a two-year process. Youth will receive First Reconciliation during Advent in the second year, and First Eucharist will be celebrated at Confirmation Mass at the end of the second year of preparation. 

High School (9-11) Confirmation Preparation Year 1 (CY1):

Youth in Grades 9-11, that have received the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and in their first year of sacramental preparation for Confirmation. This may also include youth that have not been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. In addition to the Explore Four requirements listed above all CY1 youth will attend two separate mini retreats held at the parish. Youth will also seek out and invite a qualified family member or friend to commit to being his or her Confirmation sponsor and complete the Sponsor Interview. CY1 youth will also choose and research a Confirmation Patron Saint and write a Biography about that Saint.

High School (9-11) Eucharist/Confirmation Preparation Year 1 (CY1):

Youth in Grades 9-11 that have been baptized and are in their first year of sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. This may also include youth that have not been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. In addition to the Explore Four requirements listed above all CY1 youth will attend two separate mini retreats held at the parish. Youth will also seek out and invite a qualified family member or friend to commit to being his or her Confirmation sponsor and complete the Sponsor Interview. CY1 youth will also choose and research a Confirmation Patron Saint and write a Biography about that Saint.

If a youth has not received the Sacrament of Baptism, he or she will be prepared for the sacrament and receive baptism as soon as possible. Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation is a two-year process. Youth will receive First Reconciliation the Confirmation Retreat and First Eucharist will be celebrated at Confirmation Mass at the end of the second year of preparation. 

Grade 8 Confirmation Preparation Year 2 (CY2): 

Youth in grade 8 that have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and have completed their first year of an approved Confirmation preparation program. In addition to the Explore Four requirements listed above, all CY2 youth will participate in an interview with Fr. Seán Martin,  attend Spirit Day, a one-day, offsite Confirmation Retreat on March 23rd, and write a letter of Intention to the Bishop.

If a youth has not received the Sacraments of First Reconcilation and First Eucharist, he or she along with her or his parents will complete additional preparation for these sacraments in order to receive First Reconciliation prior to the retreat and receive First Eucharist at his or her Confirmation Mass.

High School (9-12) Confirmation Preparation Year 2 (CY2):

Youth in grades 9-12 that have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and have completed their first year of an approved Confirmation preparation program. In addition to the Explore Four requirements listed above, all CY2 youth will participate in an interview with Fr. Seán Martin, attend Spirit Day, a one-day, offsite Confirmation Retreat on March 29th 2025, and write a letter of Intention to the Bishop.

If a youth has not received the Sacraments of First Reconcilation and First Eucharist, he or she along with her or his parents will complete additional preparation for these sacraments in order to receive First Reconciliation prior to the retreat and receive First Eucharist at his or her Confirmation Mass.

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Please be aware that only a parent or legal guardian may arrange for the sacraments, or religious education, of a minor child. It must be confirmed that any person registering a minor child for continuing religious education, or sacramental preparation, has the legal authority to do so. If that adult’s name is not reflected on the child’s birth certificate, or in the case of an already baptized minor child, on the baptismal certificate, the person must provide the proper documentation that shows he/she has the legal right to arrange for the spiritual needs of this child.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR REGISTRATION

In order to process a child’s registration, the person registering online must be able to answer “yes” to the following questions:

• Am I the parent or legal guardian of the child I am trying to register?
• Upload a picture of your child onto your Church Community Builder account

• Has my child been baptized? 

  • If yes, please upload a copy of your child's Baptismal Certificate from the child’s Church of Baptism when you are registering online. (If baptism was received at Our Lady of the Lake no baptismal certificate is needed)

  • If no, please upload your child's birth certificate when you are registering online

• Am I prepared to make a faith formation payment at the time of registration? (we accept credit or debit cards or e-checks)