Confirmation with THE CREW

Confirmation and Crew Program Information

Confirmation Year 1 participants will choose between two tracks when registering. 

Track A (Regular): 

Consists of attending the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the Month; plus their choice of retreats to help acheive their 2-retreat requirement by Spring of 2025. Retreat requirement includes 1 overnight retreat and 1 one day retreat to be completed during Year 2.

Formation Sundays: Featuring Catholic youth speakers, transformational prayer, scripture, adoration, and small groups, the First and Third Sundays of (almost) every month will inspire our teens to enter into a deeper relationship with Christ. They are allowed to miss two of these Sundays per year without an emergency excuse. These dates are Oct. 1 and 15, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7 and 21, Feb. 4, and 25, Mar. 3 and 17, April 7, and May 5. Meetings are held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Introduction to Confirmation Parent Meeting (Required): September 17, from 4:00 - 5:15pm. This meeting is required for all First Year Confirmation students and their parents.

Retreat Options:

Passion Play: Wednesdays from Nov.- Mar. (Several meetings but is not overnight and counts as overnight)
Fall Retreat: Nov. 17-19, 2023
Winter Faith Camp: Feb. 16- 19, 2024 (Presidents Day weekend)
Spring Retreat: April 19-21, 2024
Steubenville Rochester: July 12-14, 2024
NPH Mission Trip: TBD

Track B (Core Team):

The HNOJ Crew Teen Core Team is a community of high school teens who commit each year to serve as leaders in HNOJ Crew Youth ministry here at Holy Name of Jesus. While Core Team is open to all high schoolers, 9th graders who participate will learn the same things (and more) as those who are on the regular track for Confirmation prep. 

As a core team member, First Year Confirmation Candidates will:

  • Attend Formation Sundays Oct. 1 and 15, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7 and 21, Feb. 4, and 25, Mar. 3 and 17, April 7, and May 5. Meetings are held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
  • Core Team Sundays: Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10,  Jan. 28, Apr. 14 and 28, and May 19. Meetings are held from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
  • Attend the annual Fall Retreat Nov. 17-19
  • At least three planned middle school events
  • Grow in discipleship through regular prayer and study
  • Lead in planning and dreaming of events, especially for middle schoolers

Retreat Options:

Steubenville Rochester: July 14-16, 2023
Passion Play: Wednesdays from Nov.-Mar. (Several meetings but is not overnight and counts as overnight)
Fall Retreat: Nov. 17-19, 2023
Winter Faith Camp: Feb. 16- 19, 2024 (Presidents Day weekend)
Spring Retreat: April 19-21, 2024
NPH Mission Trip: TBD

Middle School Event Options:

  • Friday Night Alive 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Oct. 6, Dec. 15*, Jan. 19, Feb. 9, Mar. 8, Apr. 26, and May 31
  • Psalm 78 Retreat | Oct. 27-28, 2023
  • Luke 18 Retreat | May 17-18. 2024
  • Winterblast* | Dec. 8-9, 2023

*If Winterblast 2023 happens, FNA on Dec. 15 will not. If Winterblast does not happen, we will have FNA on Dec. 15.

Confirmation Year 1 Pricing
May 24-Aug. 1 > Early Bird Pricing $150

Aug. 1 – Sept. 13 > Normal Pricing $200

Questions? Contact Eve Anders.

Confirmation Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the Basilica of St. Mary at 7:00 p.m.

Confirmation Year 2 participants will choose between two tracks when registering. 

Track A (Regular): 

Consists of attending the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the Month; plus their choice of retreats to help acheive their 2-retreat requirement by Spring of 2024. Retreat requirement includes 1 overnight retreat and 1 one day retreat to be completed during Year 2.

Formation Sundays: Featuring Catholic youth speakers, transformational prayer, scripture, adoration, and small groups, the First and Third Sundays of (almost) every month will inspire our teens to enter into a deeper relationship with Christ. They are allowed to miss two of these Sundays per year without an emergency excuse. These dates are Oct. 1 and 15, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7 and 21, Feb. 4, and 25, Mar. 3 and 17, April 7, and May 5. Meetings are held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Parent/Candidate Meeting (Required): September 17, from 6:45-8:00 p.m.. This meeting is required for all Second Year Confirmation students and their parents.

May 5, 2024- Parnets and Sponsors attend this meeting 

Retreat Options:

Passion Play: Wednesdays from Nov.- Mar. (Several meetings but is not overnight and counts as overnight)
Fall Retreat: Nov. 17-19, 2023
Winter Faith Camp: Feb. 16- 19, 2024 (Presidents Day weekend)
Spring Retreat: April 19-21, 2024
Steubenville Rochester: July 12-14, 2024
NPH Mission Trip: TBD

One Day Retreat Options:

HNOJ NET Retreat: Sept. 24, 2023 (registration closed)
HNOJ NET Retreat: March 10, 2024

Track B (Core Team):

The HNOJ Crew Teen Core Team is a community of high school teens who commit each year to serve as leaders in HNOJ Crew Youth ministry here at Holy Name of Jesus. While Core Team is open to all high schoolers, 9th graders who participate will learn the same things (and more) as those who are on the regular track for Confirmation prep. 

As a core team member, Second Year Confirmation candidates will:

  • Attend Formation Sundays Oct. 1 and 15, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7 and 21, Feb. 4, and 25, Mar. 3 and 17, April 7, and May 5. Meetings are held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
  • Core Team Sundays: Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10,  Jan. 28, Apr. 14 and 28, and May 19. Meetings are held from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
  • Attend the annual Fall Retreat Nov. 17-19
  • At least three planned middle school events
  • Grow in discipleship through regular prayer and study
  • Lead in planning and dreaming of events, especially for middle schoolers

Retreat Options:

Steubenville Rochester: July 14-16, 2023
Passion Play:  Wednesdays from Nov. - Mar. (If you have not already participated during Year 1)
Fall Retreat: Nov. 17-19, 2023
Winter Faith Camp: Feb. 16- 19, 2024 (Presidents Day weekend)
Spring Retreat: April 19-21, 2024
NPH Mission Trip: TBD

Middle School Event Options:

  • Friday Night Alive 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Oct. 6, Dec. 15*, Jan. 19, Feb. 9, Mar. 8, Apr. 26, and May 31
  • Psalm 78 Retreat | Oct. 27-28, 2023
  • Luke 18 Retreat | May 17-18. 2024
  • Winterblast* | Dec. 8-9, 2023

*If Winterblast 2023 happens, FNA on Dec. 15 will not. If Winterblast does not happen, we will have FNA on Dec. 15.

Confirmation Year 2 Pricing
May 24-Aug. 1 > Early Bird Pricing $150

Aug. 1 – Sept. 10 > Normal Pricing $200

Questions? Contact Eve Anders

Track A (Regular): 

Now that you have received the sacrament of Confirmation, it’s time to put those Confirmation graces into action! 11th & 12th graders will enter into a small group based formation. The intention behind these small groups are to dive deep into discipleship and community. When you arrive on Sunday, you will go straight to your small group meeting locations! These dates are Oct. 1 and 15, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7 and 21, Feb. 4, and 25, Mar. 3 and 17, April 7, and May 5. Meetings are held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Track B (Core Team):

The HNOJ Crew Teen Core Team is a community of high school teens who commit each year to serve as leaders in HNOJ Crew Youth ministry here at Holy Name of Jesus. 

As a core team member, those who have received their Confirmation already will:

  • Attend Formation Sundays Oct. 1 and 15, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7 and 21, Feb. 4, and 25, Mar. 3 and 17, April 7, and May 5. Meetings are held from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
  • Core Team Sundays: Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10,  Jan. 28, Apr. 14 and 28, and May 19. Meetings are held from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
  • Attend the annual Fall Retreat Nov. 17-19
  • At least three planned middle school events
  • Grow in discipleship through regular prayer and study
  • Lead in planning and dreaming of events, especially for middle schoolers

Retreat Options:

Passion Play:  Wednesdays from Nov. - Mar. (If you have not already participated during Year 1)
Fall Retreat: Nov. 17-19, 2023
Winter Faith Camp: Feb. 16- 19, 2024 (Presidents Day weekend)
Spring Retreat: April 19-21, 2024
Steubenville Rochester: July 12-14, 2024
NPH Mission Trip: TBD

Middle School Event Options:

  • Friday Night Alive 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Oct. 6, Dec. 15*, Jan. 19, Feb. 9, Mar. 8, Apr. 26, and May 31
  • Psalm 78 Retreat | Oct. 27-28, 2023
  • Luke 18 Retreat | May 17-18. 2024
  • Winterblast* | Dec. 8-9, 2023

After Confirmation Pricing
May 24-Aug. 1 > Early Bird Pricing $50

Aug. 1 – Sept. 13 > Normal Pricing $75

Questions? Contact Eve Anders

Year 1 Confirmation Candidates (Typically 9th grade):  

Step 1. Click here to register for Year One Confirmation  (Early Bird Registration fee is $150.  Registration fees rise to $200 after Aug. 1, 2023. 

Step 2. It is recommended that you plan which retreats your 9th grader will attend between now and the end of 10th grade. Retreat requirements are listed below. 

Step 3. Attend parent-student meeting (Sunday,  Sept. 17, 2023 from 4-5:15 p.m.) 

Year 2 Confirmation Candidates (Typically 10th grade): 

Step 1. Click here to register for Year Two Confirmation  (Early Bird Registration fee is $150.  Registration fees rise to $200 after Aug. 1, 2023. 

Step 2. It is recommended that you plan which retreats your 9th grader will attend between now and the end of 10th grade. Retreat options are listed below

Step 3. Attend parent-student meeting (Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 from 6:45 - 8:00 p.m.)

Retreat Requirement: 1 Overnight retreat and 1 One day retreat

Overnight options:

Steubenville Rochester: July 14-16, 2023
Passion Play: Oct.-Mar. (Several meetings but is not overnight and counts as overnight)
Fall Retreat: Nov. 17-19, 2023
Winter Faith Camp: Feb. 16- 19, 2024 (Presidents Day weekend)
Spring Retreat: April 19-21, 2024
NPH Mission Trip: TBD

One Day options (Year 2 students only):

HNOJ NET Retreat: Sept. 24, 2023 Click here to register! (Registration is closed)
HNOJ NET Retreat: March 10, 2024 Click here to register!

These one-day retreat options will be held at HNOJ. The content of these one-day options are confirmation specific. The goal is to give students an opportunity to reflect on confirmation and grow in understanding of the sacrament as they prepare to receive the Holy Spirit in their lives in a new way. 

Key Components of HNOJ Confirmation Preparation:

FAQs about the Confirmation at HNOJ

What is Confirmation?  Confirmation is a Sacrament that strengthens us and obliges us to witness to, spread and defend the faith (CCC 1303). Confirmation is not graduation from a life of Christian learning, a mere cultural passage into maturity or an opportunity to choose whether or not to remain Catholic. Confirmation completes our full initiation as Catholic Christians (CCC 1306) and strengthens our ability to be missionary disciples through the reception of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

When does Confirmation preparation begin? When does it end? How long does it take? Most teens will begin completing the pre-requisites for Confirmation preparation immediately following their 8th-grade year. Many will choose to complete the process over a two-year period, be Confirmed in their 10th-grade year and continue to be involved in youth ministry in their 11th and 12th-grade years. 

Is this preparation process for Confirmation enough? Many teens will find that they desire to grow in their faith in more ways that what is asked in HNOJ's Confirmation preparation process. These requirements are a minimum. We are called to be life-long disciples of Christ who continue to grow in love of God and neighbor through prayer, worship, study and service. 

Why is there such a strong emphasis on retreats? Retreats are one of the most critical components of Confirmation preparation through HNOJ. Life can be a little crazy. Rarely do we take the time we need to get away from it all. Retreat experiences with HNOJ CREW are exactly that, opportunities to take a break, relax, think, talk and pray about who we are, why we are here and what our faith in Jesus has to do with it all. Retreats with the HNOJ community provide the environment for young people to have a personal and transformational encounter with Jesus Christ.