Confirmation Moves to Sixth Grade in the Diocese of Des Moines — John Gaffney

John Gaffney, Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Des Moines, joins The Catholic Morning Show to unpack one of the most significant changes in sacramental preparation in the diocese in decades. Why the Change? The conversation began with a direct question from Bishop Johnson: is tenth grade the best place to confer confirmation? A diocesan task force — including clergy and laity from rural, suburban, and urban communities — analyzed data, surveyed parents and candidates, and studied what other dioceses across the country are doing. Two recommendations emerged: restored order (baptism, confirmation, and first Eucharist together, as at the Easter Vigil) and moving confirmation to sixth grade. Bishop discerned that the diocese was not yet ready for restored order, but moved forward with the sixth grade transition after extended prayer and discernment. The Discipleship Pathway The new model is not simply an age change — it is a complete rethinking of confirmation preparation structured around three phases: Belonging and Identity — grounding candidates in their identity as beloved children of God before they encounter cultural pressures Encounter — meeting Jesus and the Holy Spirit through Sacred Scripture and a mid-process retreat Mission Readiness — launching sixth graders into active participation in the mission of the Church Parent and Sponsor Formation A parent formation component runs alongside the candidate process, acknowledging that parish faith formation time with young people is limited and that parents are the primary formators of faith. The Diocese is partnering with the Halo app, FORMED, and Our Sunday Visitor's Real + True program to provide aligned resources for parents to go deeper in their own faith. Dedicated sponsor resources are also being developed to equip confirmation sponsors for meaningful accompaniment. Timeline Resources are being assembled this summer, built on feedback from priests, deacons, faith formation leaders, and parents. Parish workshops will begin in the fall of 2026. Learn More: https://www.dmdiocese.org/ministries-and-faith-formation/youth-ministry/confirmation Also on the radar this weekend: join Catholic Des Moines police officers on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 1:30 PM at the Des Moines Police Department (25 East First Street, Des Moines) for a Rosary and Litany of the Sacred Heart for the State of Iowa. 🔗 Iowa Catholic Radio: IowaCatholicRadio.com 🔗 FORMED: FORMED.org 🔗 Halo App: HaloApp.com #CatholicConfirmation #DiscipleshipPathway #DiocesOfDesMoines #BishopJohnson #CatholicYouth #SacramentalPreparation #DomesticChurch #CatholicFaithFormation #FORMED #HaloApp #OurSundayVisitor #CatholicParenting #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicMorningShow #CatholicPodcast Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.