Church of the Nativity

(Note: This page is for information on Confirmation Preparation for teens during high school.  If you have graduated from 12th grade or are an adult looking for information about Confirmation Preparation that is done through our R.C.I.A Program.  Please go to our R.C.I.A. page.)

2025 Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class Registration

Invitations to eligible teens and their parents will be sent out in mid-January 2025.  Teens - if you received an Invitation please complete the 2 steps below by January 31, 2025 to properly register for the Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class.

1.  Download, fill out, and return these 8 items by email to mjames@nativitycatholic.org by January 31, 2025:

• Petition for the Sacrament of Confirmation
• Sponsor Information Sheet
• Parish Sacramental Registry Information Sheet
• Philosophy and Schedule
• Confirmation Requirements Contract
• Parent Testimony Sheet
• Copy of your Baptismal Certificate
• a 5x7 picture.

2.  Choose an available Final Interview time from the chart below and email mjames@nativitycatholic.org with your selected timeslot and phone number.

2025 Final Interview Timeslots

Email mjames@nativitycatholic.org with your requested timeslot and phone number. 

2025 Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class Dates

1.  February 2, 2025 - Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class #1 - 3:30-4:30pm

2.  February 23, 2025 - Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class #2 - 3:30-4:30pm

3.  March 2, 2025 - Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class #3 - 3:30-4:30pm - (My Personal Creed Due)

4.  March 16, 2025 - Confirmation Immediate Prepation Class #4 - 3:30-4:30pm - (Confirmation Readiness Questionnaire Due)

5.  March 23, 2025 - Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class #5 - 3:30-4:30pm - (Confirmation Name Essay Due)

6.  March 30, 2025 - Confirmation Immediate Preparation Class #6 - 3:30-4:30pm

7.  Confirmation Retreat Date - TBA

8.  Final Interviews - April 1-10, 2025

9.  Confirmation Mass - Sunday May 4, 2025 at 1pm with Bishop Pham

Confirmation Policy

Confirmation Preparation is just one of the 4 parts of our overall High School Youth Ministry Program.  Starting in August 2023 there was a significant change to the interpretation of our Confirmation Policy, instituted by the Diocese.  From that point on, all teens, whether they attend a public or Catholic high school, must also attend 2 years worth of our High School Youth Ministry Sunday Topic Nights (from September-June each year) in order to become eligible for the additional Confirmation Immediate Preparation program, which starts in late January/early February each year.

Confirmation Policy

Confirmation Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to enter the Nativity Confirmation Immediate Preparation Program a teen has to meet the following 3 requirements from the Nativity Confirmation Policy by mid-January of their sophomore, junior, or senior year.

1.  Baptism
2.  Minimum age 15 + a high school sophomore, junior or senior
3.  Mimimum of Two Years of Prior Catechesis / Religious Instruction at the High School level at Church of the Nativity Youth Ministry Sunday Topic Nights

• • If a teen has attended another parish's program for 1 year and transfers to Church of the Nativity we can give them 1 year of credit towards the Two Years of Prior Catechesis Requirement if they provide a letter from their previous parish's program director and Pastor.

Once eligible, a teen will be notified and sent additional documents specifically on the Confirmation Immediate Preparation Program in January 2025.  The annual and additional Confirmation Immediate Preparation Program classes and Retreat provide an opportunity for the teen to meet the remaining Confirmation requirements in order to be Confirmed.

Confirmation Philosophy

Confirmed teens are expected to continue their participation in our Youth Ministry Program after Confirmation to continue their Catholic education until the end of senior year.  Preparation for reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation should be seen as a component of the ongoing catechesis and faith development of the candidates and is so situated as 1 of the 4 parts of our overall our Youth Ministry Program. Teens are expected to continue learning about their faith after Confirmation in our Youth Ministry Program until they graduate from high school. 

“There is more to parish youth ministry than preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation and it's celebration which is only one component or part of the total process of catechesis and faith development for adolescents”. (Diocesan Policy #310)

2025 Confirmation Retreat - TBA

Our Confirmation Retreat date is voted on by the teens in the first class on February 2, 2025.  It will be on a Saturday sometime from mid-February to the end of March.  If a teen can't make our retreat date for the entire duration they should call other local parishes immediately to check availability to join them.  A Confirmation Retreat is required in order to be Confirmed.  Teens should bring a sack lunch, jacket, Confirmation Binder, and a pen to the retreat.

2025 Confirmation Mass Date

Our Confirmation Mass will be on Sunday May 4, 2025 at 1pm with Bishop Pham.  Eligible teens and their sponsors should arrive at noon for a final rehearsal.  The Confirmation Mass will last about 1 hour 15 minutes until 2:15pm and then there will be a reception in the Commons until 3pm. 

For more information on Confirmation contact Mike James, Director of Catechetical Ministry, at mjames@nativitycatholic.org