Preparing your child for the sacrament of Confirmation is a wonderful time for your family and for our parish. Together we celebrate the completion of the initiation process that began at Baptism. In the sacrament of Confirmation, we receive God's grace and are strengthened by the Holy Spirit. We look forward to watching your child learn, pray, and work together over the next several months. A program fee provides student materials, parent aids, and retreat programming.
To be eligible for the Confirmation preparation, candidates need to be baptized and regularly participating in the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. Starting in eighth grade and continuing through high school, candidates may enter the preparation process which culminates in the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. If your student has not been baptized, please visit Becoming Catholic > OCIC.
To be eligible for the Confirmation preparation, candidates need to be baptized and regularly participating in the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. Starting in eighth grade and continuing through high school, candidates may enter the preparation process which culminates in the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. If your student has not been baptized, please visit Becoming Catholic > OCIC.
Confirmation Rehearsal
(8th grade and High School)
Tuesday, January 19, 2027
7-9pm | St. John Church
Confirmation Mass
(8th grade and High School)
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
6:00pm | Arrival/Check In | St. John Church
6:15pm | Candidate Meet & Greet with Archbishop Robert G. Casey | St. John Church
7:00-8:30pm | Confirmation Mass | St. John Church
(8th grade and High School)
Tuesday, January 19, 2027
7-9pm | St. John Church
Confirmation Mass
(8th grade and High School)
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
6:00pm | Arrival/Check In | St. John Church
6:15pm | Candidate Meet & Greet with Archbishop Robert G. Casey | St. John Church
7:00-8:30pm | Confirmation Mass | St. John Church
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8th Grade Preparation Schedule
Parent & Teen Information Meeting (Choose One)
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 10:00am to 12:00pm St. John | Favret Hall Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 10:00am to 12:00pm St. Michael | Cafeteria/Undercroft Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 10:00am to 12:00pm St. Gabriel | St. Mary's Hall/School Undercroft Monday, August 24, 2026 | 6:00pm to 8:00pm St. Michael | Cafeteria/Undercroft Parent & Teen Supernatural Toolkit (Choose One) Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 10:00am to 12:00pm St. John | Favret Hall Monday, September 14, 2026 | 6:00pm to 8:00pm St. John | Favret Hall Parent & Teen Retreat (Choose One) Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 10:00am to 12:00pm St. Michael | Cafeteria/Undercroft Monday, October 26, 2026 | 6:00pm to 8:00pm St. Gabriel | St. Mary's Hall/School Undercroft Teen Retreat (Choose One) Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 11:30am to 7:30pm St. John | Favret Hall Saturday, November 28, 2026 | 11:30am to 7:30pm St. John | Favret Hall Sponsor & Candidate Retreat Saturday, January 9, 2027 | 10:00am to 12:00pm St. John | Favret Hall Saturday, January 16, 2027 | 10:00am to 12:00pm St. John | Favret Hall |
High School Preparation Schedule
Parent Information Meeting (Choose One)
Parents Only Sunday, August 16, 2026 | 3:30-4:30 pm Undercroft | St. Gabriel Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 1-2 pm Favret Hall | St. John Confirmation Opening Night Candidates Only Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 3:30-5:30 pm Favret Hall | St. John Parent Night Candidates & Parents Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 2-4 pm Undercroft | St. Gabriel Sponsor Night Candidates & Sponsors Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 3:30-5:30 pm Pavilion | St. John Service Night Candidates Only Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 3:30-5:30 pm Favret Hall | St. John Retreat Candidates Only Saturday, December 12, 2026 | 1-5 pm Jesuits Spiritual Center at Milford |
Understanding Logistics FAQs
Who plans Confirmation?
Jr. High Youth Minister, Katherine Walton coordinates the event in collaboration with parish staff, youth commission, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
Why only one Confirmation Mass? Our ministerial and volunteer resources are limited. A single Mass allows us to best coordinate musicians, sacristans, priests, the Archbishop, liturgical ministers, and choir members, etc.—while ensuring a meaningful, reverent celebration. To most efficiently and effectively make use of parishioners' investment, this makes sense. Priests, musicians, youth ministers, etc. are all paid for this additional time.
Why is Confirmation held at St. John Church?
St. John is the largest church within our family of Parishes and can best accommodate the number of guests expected—including ample parking and seating.
Why not the Cathedral? This option has been explored by Youth Commission. However, traveling downtown on a weeknight poses a hardship for many families, especially those from our northernmost addresses. And especially that time of year when the weather is so unpredictable. Parking and timing challenges make it less practical than a centralized location like St. John. St. John actually seats more people than the Cathedral, too.
What is the attendance policy? Each of the five preparation sessions are mandatory and must be attended. If you are going to miss a session, make sure you communicate with your religious education leader ahead of time. There will be mandatory make-up sessions and assignments to cover content. If you know you will miss two or more sessions due to conflicts, please contact us to discuss your options for Confirmation.
If you’d like to have input in future planning, I encourage you to connect with the Youth Commission, which represents families and collaborates with our pastoral staff www.stcarlocincy.org/advisory.
Jr. High Youth Minister, Katherine Walton coordinates the event in collaboration with parish staff, youth commission, and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
Why only one Confirmation Mass? Our ministerial and volunteer resources are limited. A single Mass allows us to best coordinate musicians, sacristans, priests, the Archbishop, liturgical ministers, and choir members, etc.—while ensuring a meaningful, reverent celebration. To most efficiently and effectively make use of parishioners' investment, this makes sense. Priests, musicians, youth ministers, etc. are all paid for this additional time.
Why is Confirmation held at St. John Church?
St. John is the largest church within our family of Parishes and can best accommodate the number of guests expected—including ample parking and seating.
Why not the Cathedral? This option has been explored by Youth Commission. However, traveling downtown on a weeknight poses a hardship for many families, especially those from our northernmost addresses. And especially that time of year when the weather is so unpredictable. Parking and timing challenges make it less practical than a centralized location like St. John. St. John actually seats more people than the Cathedral, too.
What is the attendance policy? Each of the five preparation sessions are mandatory and must be attended. If you are going to miss a session, make sure you communicate with your religious education leader ahead of time. There will be mandatory make-up sessions and assignments to cover content. If you know you will miss two or more sessions due to conflicts, please contact us to discuss your options for Confirmation.
If you’d like to have input in future planning, I encourage you to connect with the Youth Commission, which represents families and collaborates with our pastoral staff www.stcarlocincy.org/advisory.
Getting Registered FAQs
When youth are involved, our Family of Parishes uses the medical waiver platform, “Final Forms,” as our system for student registration. Here we are able to keep track of necessary forms and send out important information. Below are tips on how to get in on this sacramental journey!
1. If you have not done so already, a parent/guardian will need to set up a parent and a student account in Final Forms. Please note, if your academic school or sports club already uses Final Forms, you will be required to set up a secondary parent and student account if your school or sports club already uses Final Forms as their medical waiver platform. Visit stcarlocincy-oh.finalforms.com/ to begin.
2. Make sure you are in the correct school year and that the teen is listed in the correct grade appropriate for the selected school year.
3. Parents, you will officially register your teen for Confirmation by selecting “Co-Ed 8th Grade Confirmation” or "Co-Ed High School Confirmation" under the “Manage Activities” button in your teen’s profile that is in your parent account.
4. Final Forms will then prompt you to fill out the appropriate forms and will alert you of any new updates on forms and announcements.
5. Please be aware that the messages sent through Final Forms may go into your spam! If this is the case, please mark them as “not spam” so that you receive important information in the future.
6. Questions? Please contact Katherine at [email protected] or (513) 633-2864.
1. If you have not done so already, a parent/guardian will need to set up a parent and a student account in Final Forms. Please note, if your academic school or sports club already uses Final Forms, you will be required to set up a secondary parent and student account if your school or sports club already uses Final Forms as their medical waiver platform. Visit stcarlocincy-oh.finalforms.com/ to begin.
2. Make sure you are in the correct school year and that the teen is listed in the correct grade appropriate for the selected school year.
3. Parents, you will officially register your teen for Confirmation by selecting “Co-Ed 8th Grade Confirmation” or "Co-Ed High School Confirmation" under the “Manage Activities” button in your teen’s profile that is in your parent account.
4. Final Forms will then prompt you to fill out the appropriate forms and will alert you of any new updates on forms and announcements.
5. Please be aware that the messages sent through Final Forms may go into your spam! If this is the case, please mark them as “not spam” so that you receive important information in the future.
6. Questions? Please contact Katherine at [email protected] or (513) 633-2864.
Adult Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in changing the lives of Catholic teens? Would you like to get to know the teens of our parish? Do you want to share your faith life with them? If so, we would love to have your help with this year’s confirmation ministry! If you are interested in assisting with the Confirmation program or have any questions, please contact Katherine Walton for more information.
Attendance
Each of the five preparation sessions are mandatory and must be attended. If you are going to miss a session, make sure you communicate with your religious education leader ahead of time. There will be mandatory make-up sessions and assignments. If you know you will miss two or more sessions due to conflicts, please contact us to discuss your options for Confirmation.
Behavior
Youth participants will:
Dress Code for Confirmation Masses
General Guidelines:
The Confirmation Mass is a FORMAL event. We encourage ALL attendees and guests to dress up in their Sunday best attire. Please dress appropriately for the ceremony and encourage your guests to do likewise.
Wearing red and/or white to a Confirmation Mass is traditional, but NOT required!
A general tip for the Confirmation Candidates: when fixing your hair, we recommend leaving your forehead uncovered for anointing.
Ladies' Guidelines:
Gentlemen Guidelines:
For all attending guests:
Weather
If inclement weather forces the cancellation of a meeting or retreat, an e-mail will be sent out to all participants and parents through the Final Forms platform.
Each of the five preparation sessions are mandatory and must be attended. If you are going to miss a session, make sure you communicate with your religious education leader ahead of time. There will be mandatory make-up sessions and assignments. If you know you will miss two or more sessions due to conflicts, please contact us to discuss your options for Confirmation.
Behavior
Youth participants will:
- Project an image of Christian consideration, sensitivity, and respect to everyone and to the property around them through language, dress, and behavior
- Refrain from inappropriate touching and verbal harassment
- Respect other persons and/or property
- Refrain from actions that could result in injury to themselves, others and/or damage to property
- Keep their personal belongings with them at all times
- Report problems of any kind to a trusted adult
Dress Code for Confirmation Masses
General Guidelines:
The Confirmation Mass is a FORMAL event. We encourage ALL attendees and guests to dress up in their Sunday best attire. Please dress appropriately for the ceremony and encourage your guests to do likewise.
Wearing red and/or white to a Confirmation Mass is traditional, but NOT required!
A general tip for the Confirmation Candidates: when fixing your hair, we recommend leaving your forehead uncovered for anointing.
Ladies' Guidelines:
- A dress or skirt that reaches the top of or goes below the kneecaps
- Dresses or blouse tops need to have sleeves or straps and not reveal cleavage
- Spaghetti strap dresses or blouses (straps thinner than 1.5 inches) MUST be worn underneath a cardigan, shawl, or jean jacket at all times
- Bare midriff or open-back dresses are unacceptable for this liturgical event
- Dress pants with blouse is acceptable
- Dress shoes (no heels above 2.5 inches - ladies need to walk and bow gracefully)
Gentlemen Guidelines:
- Button-up dress shirt with a collar and shirt tucked in (no more than two buttons unfastened and an undershirt for white dress shirts)
- Dress pants or slacks with a belt
- Tie or bow tie (suggested, but optional)
- Jacket or vest (suggested, but optional)
- Dress shoes with matching socks
For all attending guests:
- Do not wear sneakers, sandals, flip flops or other casual shoes
- Do not wear jeans, sweatpants, or shorts
Weather
If inclement weather forces the cancellation of a meeting or retreat, an e-mail will be sent out to all participants and parents through the Final Forms platform.