Dear Parents of 9^th Graders and Incoming Candidates joining Confirmation Preparation, 

We are excited to welcome your child to our FRESHMAN program in the Fall of 2020 – YEAR ONE of Confirmation Preparation!  Our engaging and impactful High School Youth Ministry Program is integrated with our Confirmation Preparation Program. 

Confirmation is a parish Sacrament.  Therefore, even if your child goes to Catholic school or will be going to Catholic High School, preparation happens in the parish.  As you may be aware, our Confirmation program follows and builds on our Junior High program.  Following Archdiocesan guidelines, Confirmation Preparation is a two-year Sacramental Preparation Process.  Candidates should have a fundamental knowledge of our Catholic Christian teachings, and they should have completed their faith formation in a religious education program at a parish or in parochial school through 8^th grade.  Additionally, candidates should demonstrate and express a personal interest in the Sacrament, be attending mass regularly, and be actively involved in the life of our Church Community. 

Freshmen/ First Year Candidate requirements: 

1. Complete the online registration form by clicking on this link or copying and pasting it into your web-browser:  
   https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=vjLPzhgRMUm8UIcKOTBdy2BCp92vdkZBqGlQhHSG0gtUQkpMRzZVM1ZDVElFOTNQMzYyNTE4Rk9HWi4u 
    *There is no cost for registration but please note: registration for Year One closes on SEPTEMBER 10th, 2020. 

2. Participate in six (6) Sunday Youth Ministry Gatherings.  Until we are able to resume meeting in person these Gatherings will be offered virtually using the Zoom platform.   

*Due to our response to COVID-19 and exercise of social distancing practices the retreat requirement for Freshmen has been lifted for the 2020-2021 Catechetical year. 

Our First Sunday Youth Ministry Gathering will be on Sunday, Sept 13^th at 7:30pm.  That same night, we will have a separate Orientation for Parents at 7:30pm on Zoom as well.  The Orientation will be informative and will give us a chance to talk about how we can support you as parents of teenagers.  There is no registration for Sunday Community Gatherings.  We also ask candidates not to bring cell phones with them to any in-person sessions or programming.   

Email will be our main form of correspondence.  If you notice that you are not receiving emails from our office throughout the year, please email or call us.  Events will also be updated on our website, and reminders will be posted on our Youth Ministry Facebook page as well. 

Please join us on Sept. 13^th to discuss our programs as well as ways we can support YOU.  Additionally, even if your child does not intend to prepare for Confirmation at this time, know that all High School Students are welcome at our Youth Ministry events! As always, it is wonderful to be ministering with you in the faith development of your child.  We consider it a blessing to be able to serve you and your family!   If there is anything else we can do to assist you in the spiritual growth of your family, please let us know.  Sincerely, 

Craig Johnson, Pastoral Assoc. for Youth & Young Adults

Maureen Murphy, Administrative Asst. for Jr. High & Youth Ministry

 (Click HERE to download a copy of this letter).