IGNITE
Confirmation Formation at stella Maris
Introducing IGNITE
IGNITE is a dynamic, youth ministry approach to Confirmation formation for eighth graders. Candidates from the Family of Parishes will gather once-per-month for an evening session on a particular topic. A session will consist of a meal, games/activities, a keynote talk, small group discussion, a brief witness talk, and prayer. The program will be led by a staff member and a core team of adult volunteers who are catechists trained in youth ministry.
IGNITE prepares candidates to be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit by:
Encountering Jesus
IGNITE helps Confirmation candidates encounter and follow the person of Jesus Christ.
Inviting the Holy Spirit
IGNITE re-introduces the Confirmation candidate to the Holy Spirit.
Growing in Prayer
IGNITE cultivates within the Confirmation candidate a sense of belonging to the Church.
IGNITE Program Details
2025 - 2026 Event Dates
IGNITE will take place on the 2nd Sunday of the Month from 6:00 – 8:00pm at St. Thomas More (Dining Hall and Church) unless noted otherwise.
- September 14, 2025
- October 18, 2025 — NET Day Retreat (exact time TBA)
- November 9, 2025
- December 14, 2025
- January 11, 2026
- February 8, 2026 (4:00 – 5:30pm)
- March 8, 2026
- April 12, 2026
- May 10, 2026
Cost: $40 (to offset costs for programming, meals, resources, and t-shirts)
For questions or more information please contact us via email at [email protected]
Register your child by May 1st.
We encourage all families with rising eighth graders to register for IGNITE by May 1st. This allows us to make plans over the summer so we can hit the ground running in the Fall. If you have any questions about IGNITE or about registration, please let us know.
IGNITE Confirmation Handbook
Learn all about the IGNITE program elements in the IGNITE Confirmation Handbook. Download it today!
Our parent info meeting will take place on April 8th, 2025 at 7pm in the St. Thomas More Dining Hall. We ask that at least one parent per child attends the meeting. Please note: this meeting is only for parents. Children need not attend!
IGNITE Forms
everything you need in one place
- Liability and Medical Release (due Sept. 1, 2025) — Return to any parish office
- Sponsor Form (due Oct. 18, 2025)
- Confirmation Name Form (due Dec. 14, 2025)
- Candidate/Sponsor Conversation Feedback Form (due Mar. 8, 2026)
- Sponsor Handbook
Volunteers Needed for IGNITE
Programs like IGNITE are only as effective as the the members of their team. The more dynamic the members are, the more dynamic of an experience the teens in IGNITE will have. These types of programs require a considerable amount of event-prep and hospitality, which is why we have two needs:
Frequently Asked Questions
In order to best serve all of the eighth graders across the family of parishes, we wanted to unify our Confirmation formation. Teens are able to form new friendships in a welcoming, energetic and faithful atmosphere which is all made possible by bringing all of our teens together.
We are certainly not discouraging service! But, we’re not requiring a set number of hours to receive Confirmation. A service hour requirement can unintentionally imply that one “works for” or “earns” the Sacrament of Confirmation, which is not the case at all. The Sacraments are gifts given to those who are properly disposed to receive them. Confirmation service hours were put into place to reinforce the idea that now one is becoming an adult in the faith and must take up responsibility for serving others. This point is valid, but it does not acknowledge that one becomes a Christian in Baptism, and by definition, a Christian is one who serves. Remember, Jesus told his disciples to serve others (cf. Mt. 20:25–28). In other words, service does not start at the time of Confirmation. Service is simply what it means to be Christian.
While our IGNITE events are the heart of formation, each candidate should spend time outside of our monthly offerings in preparing for Confirmation. The elements we’ve put together are designed to help young people discern their willingness to be confirmed, enlist the help of sponsors, and grow closer to the Lord.
The Catechism reminds us that “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children” (CCC §2223) and that “family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith” (CCC §2226). Keep offering the formation you’re already providing, and recommit to living your faith vibrantly. The best thing a parent can do: be an authentic and encouraging witness.
No way. The word is in all caps because when we were working on the logo, it just didn’t seem to have enough juice with lowercase letters. It’s more like it’s jumping off the page at you — like a comic book: BAM! POW! IGNITE!
If you’re interested in helping as part of the Core Team of disciple-makers or as part of the Hospitality Team that will be taking care of event set up/tear down and meals, please complete a volunteer application and email it to Charles Marks ([email protected]).
Absolutely! Just contact Charles Marks – coordinator of youth and family evangelization. We have plenty of books so every family can have a copy. Charles’ email is: [email protected].
Register your Child For IGNITE Today!
Have questions about ignite?
Contact Us!
Do you have any comments or questions about IGNITE? Please contact us at [email protected]
