High School (9th-12th)Not every student’s faith journey looks the same. Our high school program is designed for youth who:
Have not received one or more of the Sacraments
Missed earlier Christian Formation
Are new to the Catholic Church
High schoolers follow a 2.5-year process that prepares students to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Youth complete two years of Christian Formation, and then attend a Confirmation Experience held in the summer or fall before they are sealed with the Holy Spirit in October/November:
8th + 9th Grade – Confirmation in October/November of 10th Grade
9th + 10th Grade – Confirmation in October/November of 11th Grade
10th + 11th Grade – Confirmation in October/November of 12th Grade
This is a place to ask real questions, build real friendships, and encounter Christ through Scripture, discussion, retreats, and prayer. While parents guide and support their children, high schoolers are young adults who are invited to take ownership of their faith.
Whether they are going to be Confirmed, receive Holy Communion for the first time, or begin with Baptism, it is their personal response to God’s grace, one that only they are called freely to embrace.
Year 1: Knowing the Faith
Sacred Scripture: Encountering God’s Word
Youth discover the story of salvation and come to see how all Scripture points to Jesus Christ and God’s plan for their lives.
Jesus Christ: The Heart of the Gospel
Youth explore who Jesus is and how His life, death, and resurrection invite them into a personal relationship and a life of discipleship.
Year 2: Living the Faith
The Church: Our Life in Christ
Students learn why the Church exists and how it continues Christ’s mission, discovering their place within the life of the Church.
Living the Faith: Grace in Action
Students grow in understanding the sacraments and moral life, learning how God’s grace strengthens them to make good decisions and live as disciples in the world.
A Final Step Before Confirmation
Before celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation in October or November, youth participate in focused summer or fall preparation sessions and a Confirmation Retreat that invite them to reflect more deeply on their faith and what it means to live as a Catholic disciple.
Registration for these final preparation opportunities opens after the young person completes the first two years of Christian Formation.
Together, they explore their place within the Body of Christ, the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, the witness of the saints, and God’s unique call for their lives. These sessions help young people recognize that Confirmation is not simply about receiving a sacrament – it is about being strengthened and sent forth to live the mission of the Church in the world.
Starting in 11th or 12th Grade?
If your child begins in 11th grade or 12th grade, there are two paths:
Option 1: Youth OCIA
Eleventh or 12th graders who will be 16 years of age or older by Easter are encouraged to participate in Youth OCIA, a process administered by the Office of Christian Formation. Designed specifically for teenagers, Youth OCIA combines catechesis, prayer, discussion, and more to help young people deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and prepare to enter more fully into the life of the Church.
Option 2: Adult OCIA
Eleventh or 12th graders who will be 16 years of age or older by Easter may also be eligible to participate in Adult OCIA (English) or Adult OICA (Spanish), which are led alongside adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. These programs are led by Deacon Roger and Deacon Jovin, and are administered separately from Christian Formation. Enrollment in these programs, when available, is subject to their approval and final placement decisions.
Both options prepare young people to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.