The theme for the 2025–2026 Confirmation retreats, inspired by Acts 4:31, centers on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit: “When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” Just as fire illuminates, refines, and transforms, this retreat invites candidates to kindle the fire of the Holy Spirit within. Through prayer, teaching, and encounter, they will learn how to build a relationship with the Holy Spirit, receive a deeper outpouring of grace, and discover how to recognize and use their spiritual gifts and charisms to boldly live and proclaim the Gospel.

Each year, these retreats welcome around 600 teenagers from across the diocese. They are powerful days filled with prayer, learning, reflection, community, and, most importantly, encounters with the Lord. This year, each retreat will be held at a different parish across the state!
 
Why Parish Retreats?
After prayerful discernment, we believe holding retreats in parishes—rather than at the Rejoice in Hope Center—will bear greater spiritual fruit. Church settings offer a more sacred space for Adoration, especially for teens encountering Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time, and visiting different parishes fosters a deeper connection to the wider Church community.

Cost for Retreats
The cost for this year's retreats are $35.00 per candidate, which helps cover materials, meals, and other retreat expenses. Chaperones are welcome at no cost. To streamline processing, we kindly ask that individual checks not be submitted. Instead, please provide a single parish check made payable to "CYO" for the total number of candidates attending.