Dear Parents of 8th Grade Students,

This will be a very busy year for your 8th Grader as your child prepares to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2023. 

This letter will summarize Confirmation requirements. We will be using our website to post information and we will continue to use email communications to keep you up-to-date.  We hope this letter will help clarify what to expect and keep everyone organized and on track. 

The following is a summary of the requirements for Confirmation Candidates.  Links to forms and documents are included. 

1. Mandatory Parent Meeting:

We will hold a mandatory Parent Meeting on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:30pm.  Monsignor Sweeney will address parents and students regarding their responsibilities to prepare for confirmation. 

2. Mass Attendance

An important part of our faith, and a responsibility of every practicing Catholic, is to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Confirmation students are required to attend Mass from September 25 to May 21. The process for tracking Mass Attendance and Mass Slips will be handed out in class to all 8th Grade students.   

3. Mandatory Student and Parent Confirmation Enrollment Mass

4. Saint Name Selection - Due by November 14, 2022

Students will choose the name of a Catholic Saint to use as their Confirmation name. Students will research their Saint and write a brief description of their Saint and why they choose that Saint.  This description must be included in their Confirmation Candidate letter to Monsignor Sweeney.

5. Letter to Monsignor Sweeney - Due by November 14, 2022

Each Candidate has been asked to type a letter to Monsignor Sweeney, stating their desire to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and answer other questions.  Please review the requirements: Confirmation Candidate Letter.

6. Community Service and Report - Due on or before Jan 9, 2023 

Students are required to complete a minimum of 25 hours of service of their choosing. Any volunteer work over the summer may be included. Students may perform services close to home: raking, shoveling, babysitting, making cards, etc. More ideas can be found on the Confirmation Service page of this website.  All service must be done on a voluntary basis.  Students must keep track of the service projects and record them on the IHM Confirmation Service Form.  

7. Confirmation Student Retreat participation

We are still in the preliminary stage of planning a Student retreat for Candidates.  The date and time have yet to be determined. The retreat is one of the Confirmation requirements. 

8. Sponsor Selection and Certificate  - Due on or before Jan 9, 2023

Each student must choose a person to be his/her Sponsor according to the guidelines provided.  Please review the Sponsor Guidelines page on this website.  A Sponsor must complete an IHM Certificate of  Sponsorship and have it signed by a priest in the Sponsor's home parish. 

9. Confirmation Quizzes and Final Exam  

In the Spring the students will be taking 3 written quizzes that will lead up to a final Confirmation Exam.  Between the studying they do at home, and the instruction given in class, they should be very well prepared.

10. Confirmation Dress Guidelines. 

​​In January, parents will receive an email reminder of the Confirmation Dress Guidelines that are posted on this site.  You will also receive an online order form and be asked to provide a size for your Confirmation Gown. The cost of the gown was included in the Registration Fee. 

11.   Confirmation Day Schedule:  

We will keep you up to date via email on the Confirmation Rehearsal and Ceremony schedules. At this time the student Rehearsal is scheduled for after class on May 22, 2023, parents and Sponsors do not need to attend.  The Confirmation Ceremony is on May 24 at either 4pm or 7pm.