Confirmation Preparation and Discipleship with John Gaffney | Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen - 03/30/2026

Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jean Thill welcome John Gaffney, Director of Evangelization and Mission for the Diocese of Des Moines, for an important conversation about preparing young people for the Sacrament of Confirmation. John shares how a diocesan task force of pastors, parents, deacons, educators, and parish leaders prayerfully discerned the move toward sixth-grade Confirmation in Southwest Iowa. The discussion explores the cultural realities facing families today, the impact of the National Eucharistic Revival, and why earlier sacramental formation may better help young people encounter Jesus and remain connected to the Church. Listeners will also hear how parents and sponsors will play a deeper role in the new discipleship-focused process, what the transition timeline will look like, and how the Diocese hopes to strengthen lifelong faith formation beyond Confirmation. Plus, Bishop Joensen and Jean reflect on priest anniversaries, parish life, vocations, upcoming diocesan events, and the joy of Catholic community. Learn more about the Diocese of Des Moines: Diocese of Des Moines Listen to more local Catholic programming from Iowa Catholic Radio #MakingItPersonal #BishopWilliamJoensen #JeanThill #JohnGaffney #Confirmation #CatholicConfirmation #CatholicParenting #Discipleship #Evangelization #DioceseOfDesMoines #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #EucharisticRevival #CatholicFormation #Sacraments #CatholicFaith #CatholicChurch #YouthMinistry #CatholicFamilies #SouthwestIowa Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our StationsLINKSYou 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.