Congratulations to our newly confirmed class of 2023!

L to R: Back row – Dcn. Todd Dahlberg, Fr. Tom Helfrich, Russell Gaston, Ryan Thompson, Andrew Booth and Bishop Boyea. Front row- Zavior Skog, Jonah Bialczyk, Dave Hartman, Mary Lou Hartman and Nancy Carter.

Confirmation Preparation

This year, Confirmation prep at St. Rita’s will consist mainly of EDGE participation and monthly meetings held on the fourth Sunday of the month from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the youth room (our normal EDGE time). During these meetings, we will discuss the meaning and purpose of Confirmation, ways to pray, ways to grow in faith, and other relevant topics. There will be a small task for candidates to complete between each meeting as well, and each candidate will attend a retreat/mission experience before receiving the sacrament of Confirmation.

Our first Confirmation meeting is on Sunday, October 22nd from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. in the youth room. We will be going over the Confirmation Prep schedule for the year, as well as some essentials for service, the sacrament itself, and choosing a good sponsor. We ask that all candidates bring an adult family member to this first meeting; every meeting after this will be for candidates and their sponsors.

If you would like to learn more or register for our Confirmation prep program, please email Abby Walraven at abigail.walraven.strita@gmail.com or call the parish office.


Confirmation Meeting Resources

Confirmation Meeting #1 – Sunday, October 22nd, 2023

Confirmation Meeting #2 – Sunday, November 19th, 2023

Confirmation Meeting #3 – Sunday, January 28th, 2024

Confirmation Meeting #4 – Sunday, February 25th, 2024

Confirmation Meeting #5 – Sunday, May 19th, 2024

Confirmation Meeting #6 – Sunday, June 23rd

Confirmation Meeting #7 – Sunday, July 28th

Confirmation Meeting #8 – Sunday, August 25th


Retreat/Trip Information

One of the essentials for Confirmation is a retreat/mission experience. We encourage Confirmation candidates to attend Outpouring, Catholic Youth Camp, or Catholic Heart Work Camp with us!

Outpouring – a Diocesan Confirmation Retreat

Middle school youth (grades 7-8) and Confirmation candidates are invited to attend Outpouring with us from February 9-11, 2024.

The weekend includes Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The retreat is held at St. Francis Retreat Center in Dewitt, MI. It begins with check-in from 6:30 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, and ends at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday. Cost is $125 for the weekend.

I highly encourage our youth to consider attending this retreat. It is a great opportunity to dive a little deeper into the faith and build community with other Catholic young people (and it fulfills the retreat recommendation for Confirmation!).

Catholic Heart Work Camp

St. Rita’s has reserved 10 spots for Catholic Heart Work Camp this summer! June 9-15, 2024, we will be going to Campaign, Illinois for CHWC. CHWC is a mission camp/conference for youth currently in grades 8-12 that splits time between fun activities and acts of service. Cost is $450 for the week.

Catholic Youth Camp

St. Rita’s has reserved 12 spots for Catholic Youth Camp next summer! We will be attending CYC July 9-14, 2024.

Catholic Youth Camp is located at Camp DeSales in Brooklyn, MI. It’s a mix of classic summer camp activities and faith-filled encounters with God and others. 8-12 graders are invited to come with us to CYC; this is a very good first retreat experience for our youth who have not attended a summer trip before. Cost is $450 for the week.

Please contact Abby Walraven at abigail.walraven.strita@gmail.com or call the parish office if you are interested in attending any of these retreats or would like more information.