9th Grade Confirmation Guidelines (2025-2026)
Confirmation Mass for OLV and Good Shepherd Parishes is Monday, June 1st, 2026 @ 6:00pm
Each rising 9th grade student wishing to receive Confirmation next spring must complete each of the components of Sacramental preparation as outlined below, as well as the following forms (which can also be found on the “Forms” page):
Preparation for Confirmation Includes:
Catechesis/Classes
Either regular weekly attendance at CCD (Sundays, 10:30am-11:20am in the school cafeteria starting 9/21/25), CCD homeschool option (use CCD textbooks at home & submit work), St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy religion classes, or Homeschool religious education is required. All 9th grade students wishing to receive Confirmation this year must register using the CCD Registration form found here even if you are not attending Sunday AM classes.
Service (10 Hours)
Parents are asked to monitor and record service hours on the Service Hours form during the school year. Service performed during the summer before 9th grade is also acceptable. The church will provide several opportunities, such as The Bazaar (Saturday, 11/1/25), Pierogi sales, etc. Students may also opt to create a “service project,” either as an individual or as a small group (similar to a Scout project). Service hours are due May 17th, 2026.
Sponsor Selection
A sponsor meeting the guidelines set forth by canon law must be selected for Confirmation. Students can fill out the Sponsor Cover Form and the Sponsor Certification Form (if needed, Due December 1st).
Retreat (with Sponsors)
An online retreat will focus on our baptismal call to be priest, prophet, and king as Jesus was. Retreat dates are as follows: Sun 9/28, Wed 10/1, Sun 10/5, Wed 10/8, Sun 10/12. Each session is 45 min in length and are held in the evenings. No Sunday morning CCD on these Sundays. For those who cannot attend the fall retreat sessions, additional sessions will be offered in February (2/1, 2/4, 2/8, 2/11, 2/15) and March (3/8, 3/11, 3/15, 3/18, 3/22). Retreat registration form is due Sunday, September 14th, 2025 for all sessions.
Discipleship Events (Must Attend 2):
These events are opportunities for deepening our relationship with God and encountering Him in new ways. Opportunities offered this year are a Vocations Talk (Sunday, 9/7/25 @ 6:00pm in church), Adoration & Confession with Bishop Mark (Saturday, 9/13/25 @ 10:00am in church), and SHYCON high school youth conference (Sunday, October 10/9/25, @ St. Francis University, time TBD). There are also 4 events hosted by Good Shepherd Church in State College. See Guidelines file above for details.
Letter of Intent
Each person preparing for Confirmation must prepare a Letter of Intent to Receive Confirmation. This letter is due December 1st, 2025.
9th Grade CCD Textbook
Ascension Press publishes our 9th grade CCD textbook: YOU. Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body by Brian Butler, Jason Evert, and Crystalina Evert. Theology of the Body curriculum for teens helps them discover God’s plan for love and their life. John Paul II’s landmark teaching engages teens minds and hearts. The curriculum is both catechetical and evangelistic. A parent handbook is also distributed with each student’s textbook.