Catholic Formation

Pre-Confirmation in 9th grade marks a significant step in your faith journey. It’s a time for you to more fully embrace your baptismal promises and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, empowering you to live as a mature Christian. This preparation process is designed to be a period of discovery, reflection, and growth, helping you understand what it truly means to be a confirmed Catholic.

What to Expect:

• Deeper Understanding of Faith: We’ll explore the core tenets of our Catholic faith, including the Creed, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Church. This isn’t just about memorizing facts; it’s about understanding how these truths apply to your life.
• Personal Reflection and Prayer: This journey is deeply personal. We’ll encourage you to spend time in prayer, reflecting on your relationship with God and discerning how the Holy Spirit is working in your life.
• Community and Fellowship: You’ll be part of a supportive community of fellow candidates, sharing your experiences and growing together in faith. We’ll foster an environment of open dialogue and mutual support.
• Service and Action: Faith isn’t just about belief; it’s about action. We’ll explore opportunities to serve others and put your faith into practice, living out the Gospel message in your daily life.
• Learning about the Sacrament: We will learn the rite of confirmation, and what each portion of the rite means.

Key Components of the Program:

• Regular meetings with your catechists.
• Opportunities for prayer and reflection.
• Service projects and outreach activities.
• Discussions on relevant topics facing young Catholics today.

Goal:

Our goal is to help you:

• Develop a deeper understanding of your Catholic faith.
• Strengthen your relationship with God.
• Recognize and respond to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Embrace your role as a member of the Catholic Church.
• Live as a witness to Christ in the world.

This confirmation preparation is an exciting opportunity to deepen your faith and prepare for a lifelong journey of discipleship. We look forward to walking alongside you on this important step in your faith journey.

10th Grade Confirmation preparation builds upon the foundation of earlier faith formation, aiming to guide young people toward a deeper, more mature understanding of their Catholic faith. Here’s a general overview of what this preparation typically entails:

Key Focus Areas:

• Deepening Understanding of the Holy Spirit:
  • A primary focus is on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian. Candidates explore the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and how these gifts empower them to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
  • Emphasis is placed on recognizing the Holy Spirit’s presence and activity in their lives and in the Church.
• Strengthening Relationship with Christ:
  • Confirmation preparation encourages a more personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
  • This involves fostering prayer, reflection on Scripture, and participation in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.
• Living as a Witness:
  • Candidates are challenged to understand their role as witnesses to the Gospel in their daily lives.
  • This includes exploring how to live out their faith in their families, schools, and communities.
• Active Participation in the Church:
  • The program emphasizes the importance of active participation in the life of the Church.
  • This will involve service projects, participation in liturgical ministries, and engagement in parish activities.
• Sponsor Relationship:
  • The role of the sponsor is crucial. Sponsors provide guidance, support, and encouragement to the candidates throughout their preparation.
  • The sponsor-candidate relationship is intended to be a lasting source of spiritual support.
• Discernment and Commitment:
  • The 10th grade year of confirmation preparation is a time of increased focus on the candidates ability to discern weather they are ready to make a commitment to their faith.
  • Candidates will be asked to reflect on their own lives, and their relationship with the church.

Typical Components:

• Regular Classes/Meetings:
  • These sessions provide opportunities for instruction, discussion, and reflection on key aspects of the Catholic faith.
• Retreats:
  • Retreats offer a time for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth in a focused setting.
• Service Projects:
  • Service projects provide opportunities to put faith into action by serving those in need.
• Sponsor Meetings:
  • Regular meetings between candidates and their sponsors provide opportunities for guidance and support.
• Rite of Confirmation Preparation:
  • Learning the specific actions, and meanings of the rite of confirmation.
• Interviews:
  • There will be interviews with members of the clergy, to help determine the candidates readiness.

The goal of 10th grade confirmation preparation is to help young people:

• Deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.
• Strengthen their relationship with God.
• Embrace their role as active members of the Church.

Live as witnesses to Christ in the world.

Mission:

Encountering Faith Camp (EFC) is dedicated to creating a transformative and authentically Catholic experience for middle school teens. We strive to provide a positive and engaging environment where they can encounter Jesus Christ through:

• Meaningful participation in the Sacraments, with a special emphasis on the Eucharist.
• Experiencing the living presence of Christ within His Body, the Church.

Furthermore, EFC aims to empower Prayer Teamers, High School Leaders, and chaperones by offering them opportunities to deepen their own faith and embrace radical discipleship through service and leadership.

Vision:

To achieve this mission, EFC will:

• Continuously refine the camp experience, ensuring it remains relevant and impactful for middle schoolers.
• Invest in comprehensive training and preparation for our leaders, equipping them to fulfill their vital roles with excellence.
• Collaborate closely with parish leaders to integrate the camp experience into a broader context of intentional discipleship formation within their local church communities.

Entering Authentic Discipleship: Three Essential Pillars

What does it truly take to live as a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ? We believe it centers on three fundamental elements:

• Sacramental Encounter: Regular and meaningful participation in the Sacraments, fostering a direct connection with the Lord.
• Christian Community: Cultivating genuine Christian friendships and belonging to an authentic, supportive community.
• Intimate Prayer: Developing a deep, personal relationship with Jesus through a vibrant and consistent prayer life.

Our High School Discipleship Weekends are designed to provide an immersive experience, focusing on these three pillars. We invite all high school teens across the diocese who are ready to “drop their nets” and follow Jesus with greater intention to “come and see.”

Weekend Details:

• We offer two similar weekend retreats, allowing flexibility for participation.
• Typically, western parishes attend the fall retreat, and eastern parishes attend the spring retreat, given the locations. However, all are welcome to attend either weekend.
• Cost: $125 per person.
• For further details and registration, please refer to the Parish Registration Form.

Pilgrimage to Washington D.C.: Standing for Life

January 2026 we hope to take students from our Immaculate Conception and St. Pat’s parishes, joined by others from the Diocese of Superior, to embarked on a powerful pilgrimage to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National March for Life.

While the overturning of Roe v. Wade marked a significant victory, the fight for life continues. We believe in celebrating and protecting life at every stage, from conception to natural death, and all the moments in between. The March for Life aims to build a culture where every life is valued, supported, and celebrated. The ultimate goal is not just legislative change, but a transformation of our culture, creating a society that truly supports mothers and makes abortion unthinkable.

Our pilgrimage extended beyond the march itself. We engaged in deeply meaningful experiences, including:

• Visiting the National Mall and the poignant Holocaust Museum.
• Celebrating Mass at the St. John Paul II National Shrine.
• Attending the Students for Life Summit.
• Praying at the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

This journey is both physically and spiritually demanding, as we march and pray alongside over thousands of individuals from across the nation. Each day is anchored in faith, beginning with Holy Mass and concluding with fellowship, insightful talks, small group discussions, and night prayers. Even our bus travels are filled with spiritual nourishment, featuring hymns, Bible trivia, and the Liturgy of the Hours.

It is a profound blessing to represent Immaculate Conception and St. Pat’s parishes, as well as the Diocese of Superior, in this powerful demonstration of faith and commitment to the sanctity of life, from conception to natural death.  Please prayerfully consider this pilgrimage for your high school student. Contact Karen LaBossiere at [email protected] or call 715-246-4652.

NCYC was created by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), an organization committed to advancing the field of pastoral ministry to young people in the United States. Founded in 1982 at the encouragement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, NFCYM’s mission is to support and strengthen those who accompany young people as they encounter and follow Jesus Christ. NFCYM provides pastoral formation through small to massive-scale events (like NCYC!), educational webinars for ongoing development, a virtual membership for support and resources, and countless other opportunities to develop youth and pastoral leaders across America.

Thanks to NFCYM, Catholics from across the country come together to cultivate, evangelize and celebrate the Young Church. To learn more, visit NFCYM.org.

NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) is a powerfully unique three-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, service, and empowerment for Catholic teenagers (of high school age) and their adult chaperones.

NCYC is the premier Catholic youth event on a national scale that gathers people from all across America for a life-changing encounter with Christ.

HISTORY

NCYC began in 1983 as a regional conference, with one session for the east coast and one session for the west coast. The regional conferences had a few thousand youth in attendance. NCYC then merged into a national conference in 1991 and interest in the conference began to grow. Today, NCYC serves the Young Church as the biggest Catholic Youth Conference in America.

What to Expect at NCYC

Inspiring Speakers

Some of the best speakers in the Catholic space.

Mass & Adoration

Celebrate liturgy and the Eucharist with tens of thousands, led by our American bishops.

Music & Worship

Praise and entertainment led by award-winning artists.

Interactive Exhibits

Countless games, crafts, obstacle courses, meetups, live radio shows, challenges, and so much more.

Middle School Discipleship & Fellowship: Growing Together

What is it?

This is a fun and engaging opportunity for middle schoolers (grades 6-8) to connect with each other, grow in their faith, through fellowship and fun. We provide opportunities for the kids to come together on a quarterly basis to build strong friendships and prepare them for a life of evangelization and service in their upcoming years.

What will we do?

• Fun Activities & Games: We’ll play interactive games, participate in creative activities, and enjoy some friendly competition.
• Fellowship & Friendship: We’ll build strong relationships with other middle schoolers who share our faith and values.
• Snacks & Fun: Of course, we’ll have delicious snacks and plenty of time to hang out and have fun!

Why should you join?

• Connect with others: Meet new friends and build a supportive community.
• Grow in your faith: Learn more about God and how to live a life that honors Him.
• Have fun! Enjoy games, activities, and snacks while making lasting memories.
• Make a difference: Discover opportunities to serve others and make a positive impact on the world.

Who is it for?

All middle schoolers (grades 6-8) are welcome, regardless of their background or experience with faith. Whether you’re a seasoned churchgoer or just curious about Christianity, you’ll find a place to belong.

When & Where?

• Always located at St Mary’s School Multi-Purpose room, door W3, Dates vary but we will post the dates as soon as possible.

How to Sign Up:

• We will post dates of upcoming Pulse dates and times. Sign up is a one and done, meaning, once you sign up your child, that is good for the entire Pulse year. [Insert Sign-Up Information, e.g., online form, contact person, etc.]

What to Expect:

• A welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Fun and interactive activities.
• Delicious snacks.
• Opportunities to build strong friendships.
• A chance to grow closer to God.

We look forward to seeing you there!

High School Discipleship & Fellowship: Growing Together

What is it?

This is a fun and engaging opportunity for high schoolers (grades 11-12) to connect with each other, grow in their faith, and explore what it means to follow Jesus. We’ll combine meaningful discussions about the Bible with exciting activities, games, and opportunities to build strong friendships.

What will we do?

• Dive into the Bible: We’ll explore relevant stories and teachings from the Bible, discussing how they apply to our lives today.
• Meaningful Discussions: We’ll create a safe space to ask questions, share our thoughts, and learn from each other’s experiences.
• Fun Activities & Games: We’ll play interactive games, participate in creative activities, and enjoy some friendly competition.
• Fellowship & Friendship: We’ll build strong relationships with other middle schoolers who share our faith and values.
• Service Opportunities: We’ll explore ways to serve our community and make a positive impact.
• Snacks & Fun: Of course, we’ll have delicious snacks and plenty of time to hang out and have fun!

Why should you join?

• Connect with others: Meet new friends and build a supportive community.
• Grow in your faith: Learn more about God and how to live a life that honors Him.
• Ask big questions: Explore your faith and find answers to your questions in a safe and welcoming environment.
• Have fun! Enjoy games, activities, and snacks while making lasting memories.
• Make a difference: Discover opportunities to serve others and make a positive impact on the world.

Who is it for?

High schoolers (grades 11-12) are welcome, regardless of their background or experience with faith. Whether you’re a seasoned churchgoer or just curious about Christianity, you’ll find a place to belong.

When & Where?

• Third Wednesday of the month
• Immaculate Conception, TBD

How to Sign Up:

• Contact Karen LaBossiere, [email protected], 715-246-4652 ext 247

What to Expect:

• A welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Engaging and relevant discussions.
• Fun and interactive activities.
• Delicious snacks.
• Opportunities to build strong friendships.
• A chance to grow closer to God.

We look forward to seeing you there!

At each Steubenville Youth Conference, teens experience a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ that ignites their faith, strengthens their prayer life, and empowers them to live on mission long after the conference ends.

What to Expect

In addition to three days of amazing speakers, teens will have opportunities for worship, adoration, and confession, while enjoying fellowship with hundreds of other teens who share the same Catholic faith.

– Encounter

This opportunity to meet Jesus Christ is unlike anything your teens can experience anywhere else.

– Conversion

Tens of thousands of devout Catholics across the country will tell you their lives changed when they met Jesus at a Steubenville Conference.

– Community Your teen will connect with their youth minister, their friends, and the universal Church in a whole new way.