Welcome to GPS Confirmation, an opportunity to entrust yourself into God’s
miraculous process. We are Guided by the Holy Spirit, Powered by His breath, and Sealed with His gifts. This model has produced God-focused connections, life-long learning, peer to peer ministries, continuity, creativity, and the incredible ability to capture the vision and energies of youth.

Accounting for the challenges of this coming school year, we specifically designed the Confirmation program to support and deepen the new 9th grade teen’s life skills, faith skills and character. The preparation journey is geared to empower high school youth. Every year, parents and teens are so grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow in love, service and life through this process.

Keeping in line with the Archdiocese initiative to develop a two-year process* (striving for a more robust preparation journey) and the inability to secure 2 celebrations at the same parish in the future, you will notice only one schedule for the upcoming school year. It still consists of our 10 preparation sessions focusing on a sacrament, beatitude and gift of the spirit and 2 workshops to help form modern day disciples. The goal of confirmation preparation is to lead the teen “toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – his actions, his gifts, and his biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities to Christian life.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1309) In short, each confirmed Catholic should become more closely associated with the mission of the church and help bear witness to the Christian faith in words accompanied by deeds.

A “Practicing Catholic” is one who has an active faith live – serves others, prays daily, reads scripture, attends mass and receives the Eucharist. The preparation journey helps develop these habits. You will notice the schedule includes “Sessions,” most are for the candidate only unless otherwise noted, “Mass,” “Service,” and “Workshops.” Confirmation is an indelible spiritual mark of character but it is meant to be lived not simply received. This is the beginning of a journey that is meant to last a lifetime.

Sessions are mandatory and will meet on Sunday afternoons or evenings. (see schedule) They are for the candidates unless otherwise noted. Saying “Yes” to confirmation will mean saying “No” sometimes to something else. (This means your child WILL miss a practice/game for their sport or another activity that pops up.) Life is choices and preparing for confirmation helps us set priorities – God first! Model this TRUST and help your child make FAITH a priority.

The email address for the registration needs to be that of the parent. (both parent’s emails are recommended) This is how we communicate with you. We will email you the celebration date as soon as we receive it. We are hoping to hear from the bishop’s office before the 1st session. The celebration of the sacrament will hopefully take place in March or April 2023. The bishop will take into account Spring break and Easter week and will not schedule those weeks.

Parent participation is needed and encouraged. Consider journeying with us as an adult facilitator. While it is not required for parents or sponsors to attend the sessions, we welcome them to join the process. Older siblings are also encouraged to join as a facilitator to live out their own life of service. It’s an amazing journey for people of all ages.

The following sheets will be given out at the parent/candidate session. Give them to your teen as they are not parent homework – this is one way for your teen to model spiritual maturity. You can find links to these documents below. 

The sponsor needs to be chosen before the process begins (at least before session #2 in August) and should be someone your child is comfortable talking with and able to further develop the relationship. A Godparent makes an excellent friend/mentor for the journey. Please see the requirements for who is and is not eligible to be a sponsor.

Confirmation name – your child needs to be thinking about and researching this throughout the summer and fall. There are so many saints and people to choose as our role models of living the Christian life. The name form, completed by your child, is due before the retreat.

“Works of Mercy” hours can begin after registration and need to be completed by February 12th (Strengths finder workshop.) We are all called to a life of service. At least 10 hours should be completed at St. Patrick Church. We are building a community with our new disciples. All 10 are built into the process (see “Service” on the schedule) and other opportunities will be offered as parish needs arise.

Parent and teen MUST attend the session on Sunday, May 22nd from 7-8:30pm in the parish social hall. We build upon the experiences of this session throughout the preparation process.

Please plan to register online beginning April 1st. A copy of your child’s baptismal certificate as well a fee of $75.00 will be due upon registration for the Confirmation process. Baptismal certificates may be dropped off at the Faith Formation office or brought to the session on August 28th.

If you have any questions about the pages in the packet or about the process, please contact me.

Sincerely,
Julie Cavanaugh
Youth Ministry/Confirmation Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 698 – 4388

Confirmation Registration

* After this year, all candidates will need to have completed a year of faith formation immediately prior to enrolling for confirmation - either Catholic school religious education class or a year of Genesis and Logos “Chosen” series. If your teen has not been enrolled in Faith Formation during the 2021-2022 school year, please reach out to us as soon as possible. We have an online program that they may complete before August to keep them on track to celebrate confirmation with their peers. 

Attention ALL parents who plan on volunteering during this years Confirmation process, we need you to fill out the volunteer form below in order to update our records, even if you have volunteered in previous years. Thank you for your cooperation.

Catechist Volunteer Form