IGNITE Confirmation Prep

IGNITE is a dynamic, youth ministry approach to Confirmation formation for 8th graders. Candidates from the Family of Parishes will gather once-per-month for an evening session on a particular topic. A session will consist of a meal, games/activities, a keynote talk, small group discussion, a brief witness talk, and prayer. The program will be led by a staff member and an adult Core Team of volunteer catechists trained in youth ministry.

IGNITE disposes candidates to be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit by:

1. Helping them encounter and follow the person of Jesus Christ.
2. Re-introducing them to the Holy Spirit.
3. Cultivating a sense of belonging to the Church.

IGNITE Confirmation Nights: Unless otherwise specified, these will be held from 6-8pm on the 2nd Sunday of the Month at St. Thomas More (Dining Hall and Church). The proposed schedule for IGNITE sessions this year is as follows:

April 30th, 2026
■ Parent Info Meeting (7pm, St. Thomas More Dining Hall)
○ Sunday, September 13, 2026
■ IGNITE Kickoff Event (w/ parent meeting) — Why Confirmation?
○ Sunday, October 11, 2026 (Sponsor Form Due)
■ Encountering Jesus
○ Saturday, October 31, 2026
■ IGNITE Day Retreat w/ NET Ministries (all day)
○ Sunday, November 8th, 2026
■ Prayer
○ Wednesday, November 18th, 2026
■ Sponsor Meeting (7pm, STM Dining Hall)
○ Sunday, December 13th, 2026 (Confirmation Names Due)
■ The Word: Hearing God’s Voice in the Bible
○ Sunday, January 10th, 2027
■ Life in Christ: Virtue and Grace
○ Sunday, February 7, 2027 (Saint Project Due)
■ Mission: Yours, Mine, Ours
○ Sunday, March 14th, 2027 (Candidate/Sponsor Conversations Due)
■ The Holy Spirit
○ Sunday, April 4th, 2027 (Letter to Pastor Due)
■ On the Sacrament of Confirmation
○ Tuesday, April 20, 2027
■ Confirmation Rehearsal (7pm at St. Thomas More Church)
○ Wednesday, April 21, 2027
■ Sacrament of Confirmation (7pm at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains)
○ Sunday, May 2, 2026
■ Life after Confirmation/Introduction to High School Youth Ministry (7pm, Stievenard Hall, St. Bernadette)