CFF Confirmation Preparation Year 1 Information
Welcome to the ONE EIGHT (Acts 1:8) Confirmation Preparation at Good Shepherd Parish. Our parish sacrament preparation program follows the norms for Confirmation Preparation as outlined by the Diocese of Sacramento. We have a wonderful group of Adult Mentors and High School Peers on the Core Team of Catechists who will be accompanying your family on this faith journey towards the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Year 1 requirements and expectations will be shared with you in detail at the Parent Information Meeting in August.
A parent (or adult family member) must attend this Parent Information Meeting for their child (the Confirmation Candidate is not required to attend this meeting, but they are welcome to join us). This is our first opportunity to share with you what the parish is providing for your child to help prepare them for the Sacrament of Confirmation and it's your first opportunity to show your commitment to the preparation journey your child is embarking on, so attendance is required.
YEAR 1 Parent Information Meeting: Monday, August 10, 2026 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM (Parish Hall doors will open at 6:30 PM)
Some information to help you before the meeting...
Year 1 Candidates will be required to:
- Attend Mass regularly.
- Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (at least once a year).
- IMPORTANT: Attend the Year 1 all-day field day on August 16, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (lunch provided). This event is mandatory for all Year 1 Candidates and their absence could result in the teen being dropped this year.
- IMPORTANT: Select a Confirmation Sponsor and have the Sponsor turn in a completed Sponsor Form by October 3, 2026. PLEASE try and select a Sponsor who is "local" (Northern California) and can be physically present for Candidate/Sponsor events (dates will be provided at the Parent Information Meeting).
Please note: Candidates must have their Sponsor Form turned in by September 30, 2025 in order to continue on in the program for 2026-27. - Attend 10 ONE EIGHT Confirmation Preparation Classes between August - May. Two of these classes are considered Teen/Parent Classes which a parent must attend with them. Additionally, complete all assignments in Google Classroom that go with these lessons.
- Complete 9 GROVE Youth Ministry credits in Year 1.
- Attend a Candidate & Sponsor Retreat WITH your Sponsor on October 3, 2026 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM in the Parish Hall.
- Complete 2 Assignments with your Sponsor & meet regularly with your Sponsor to develop a faith-filled Candidate/Sponsor relationship.
- Complete the Year 1 Saint Report Project (assigned and discussed at the October Teen/Parent class).
- Complete 20 hours of Christian Service that reflect the Corporal Works of Mercy and Principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
- We will be offering "kick off" group service projects (you will have two dates to choose from: Memorial Day Monday, September 7, 2026 or Saturday, September 12, 2026). Teens will sign up to attend ONE of these group service projects (parents have to attend this with their teen & sorry parents, but these service hours do not satisfy the parent service requirement). Teens will be able to get their first 5 service hours signed off after completing their "kick off" group service project. More information to come at the Parent Information Meeting.
- We encourage all teens to attend one of these "kick off" group service projects since this is where we will also discuss the Service Requirement for the teens, share resources to find additional service opportunities for the year and give families the chance to ask questions.
- All dates & specific information for these requirements will be confirmed with you on the final calendar you will receive at the Parent Information Meeting. You can view our DRAFT calendar for Year 1, but please remember, the final calendar will be handed out at the Parent Information Meeting and may contain some event/date changes.
Parents have their own requirements in addition to supporting your child with their requirements above:
- Attend Mass regularly and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year.
- Attend the mandatory Parent Information Meeting on Monday, August 10 (7:00-9:00 PM in the Parish Hall).
- Attend the 2 the Teen/Parent Classes as identified on the final Year 1 calendar.
- Complete 4 Service Hours for the parish - either at parish events or with parish ministries
- Assisting your teen at the "kick off" group service project does not count towards this requirement.
- Parents may be required to perform additional Service Hours if your teen needs parental support completing their service requirement.
- Complete 3 Parent Workshops - we will provide a list of online & in-person workshop options for you to choose from.
Only 1 online workshop my be chosen. The remaining 2 workshops have to be in-person.
Remember, Good Shepherd Parish is committed to a FAMILY Faith Formation model so parents will are expected to be intimately involved in their child's formation journey - especially when preparing for the sacraments.