What if confirmation prep actually did what it was supposed to do?

Instead of being shaped by inherited structures and irrelevant requirements, what if preparing young people for Confirmation meant:

Focusing on discipleship
instead of requirements.

A clear, intentional approach to forming faith—one that prioritizes spiritual growth over checkboxes and gives leaders space to walk with teens instead of managing paperwork.

Equipping volunteers to accompany teens with clarity and confidence.

Faithful adults formed with a shared framework, clear expectations, and the confidence to mentor teens toward deeper relationship with Christ.

Designing structures that work within real parish constraints.

A model flexible enough to work within existing schedules, spaces, and diocesan expectations—without sacrificing depth or clarity of mission.

Partnering with parents and sponsors on a shared mission.

Parents and sponsors who understand their role, feel supported, and share ownership in a common spiritual mission—rather than simply fulfilling expectations.

Inviting teens into a faith that continues beyond the sacrament.

Young people who encounter faith as something to grow into—personal, lived, and connected—rather than something to complete and move past.

Building a clear pathway forward instead of short-term fixes.

Not another tweak or add-on, but a cohesive system that aligns vision, structure, and practice—giving leaders a way forward that actually changes outcomes.

It can, and it should.

Master Class

Four day, in-person session
at the ProjectYM Mission Base.

Taught by Michael Marchand,
founder of ProjectYM.

Practical, in-depth training
based on real world examples.

Small, discussion based course
with less than 15 people per session.

The content for this Masterclass has been developed by Michael Marchand and the ProjectYM team through years of working alongside parish leaders who oversee Confirmation preparation and faith formation in a wide range of parish contexts.

Over four days of instruction, collaboration, and guided planning, you’ll learn how to redesign Confirmation prep so it forms disciples, engages families, and works within the real constraints of parish life, including:

The purpose of Confirmation preparation within a discipleship framework.

How to clarify vision and expectations for teens, families, and sponsors.

Designing a formation-centered Confirmation pathway.

Integrating small groups without overhauling your entire parish structure.

Equipping volunteers to accompany teens with confidence.

Reimagining retreats, milestones, and sessions for deeper formation.

Building a Confirmation model that leads into ongoing discipleship.

Course materials include practical planning tools, printable resources, and digital templates to support implementation in your parish.

"We got pushback for not following things the old way, but the support and ideas from ProjectYM helped us stay the course. And we’ve seen changes we’ve never seen before in confirmation...

These teens are talking about what the sacrament actually means—not just checking off curriculum."

RACHEL GRANGER
Huntsville, AL

Cohort
Based

Get practical about what you've learned
through virtual group sessions post-Masterclass.

Accountability and strategic planning
with a community of other ministry leaders.

Focused on implementation
specific to your parish context.

During the Masterclass, you'll meet your cohort and learn alongside them. Together you'll get all the information, resources, and components needed to create your small group program. Your cohort becomes your support system afterwards – you'll work together to build a practical implementation plan for your parish.

This community based approach ensures that you've got the support you need to plan out a step-by-step strategy and the accountability to make sure you do the work to put that strategic plan into action.

By going through this with other leaders, you'll get ideas to help you think outside the box of your own parish, in ways you may not have considered on your own.

You'll also get help understanding and using the additional resources include from ProjectYM to make sure you're successful!

CERTIFICATION
ADD-ON ($350)

One-on-one strategic coaching
from a ProjectYM coach to apply what you’ve learned.

Realtime support
as you build your new program.

Additional resources
to help you refine your strategy and develop the additional skills needed to implement it.

Final assessment
to ensure you've gotten everything you need out the program.

Our Confirmation Specialist Certification isn’t a just a piece of paper you hang on the wall – it’s a powerful process that helps you internalize what you’ve learned, confidently implement it in your context, and grow as a ministry leader others can trust and look to.

Let’s be real: change is hard. Even with the best ideas and training, real transformation in your parish requires clarity, strategy, support, and follow-through. That’s exactly what the certification process provides.

You’ll get three personalized, one-on-one coaching sessions with a ProjectYM coach who’s been where you are. They’ll help you troubleshoot roadblocks, adapt the what you've learned to your unique situation, and stay accountable to the goals you set.

Between sessions, you’ll work through strategic plans and prep work that's not academic — it’s practical. You'll be working on the real-world solutions that will directly move your small group program forward.

At the end of the process, you’ll complete a final assessment to demonstrate your growth and earn the official title of "Certified Confirmation Specialist".

It might seem silly, but that title matters. Not just because it looks good on a resume or parish job application (though it does), but because it gives pastors, parents, and diocesan leaders confidence in your leadership and in the vision you’re casting for discipleship.

When you’re certified, you’re not just someone who attended the training. You’re someone who owned it, applied it, and is ready to lead others with credibility, insight, and purpose.

Get on the waitlist for our 2026 session.

$1200

Total Cost per Person

Three Payment Options:

Pay in full today and receive a 5% discount.

Make four monthly payments of $300 each.

Pay $100 deposit today, and we'll send you an invoice to pay the rest by check*.

*Check payments must be received within two weeks of registration.

SPECIAL PRICE FOR THE
ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA
ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE
DIOCESE OF GREEN BAY
DIOCESE OF DALLAS

$800

Normally $1,200 per Person

Three Payment Options:

Pay in full today and receive a 5% discount.

Make four monthly payments of $200 each.

Pay $100 deposit today, and we'll send you an invoice to pay the rest by check*.

*Check payments must be received within two weeks of registration.

INCLUDES:

Four Day Masterclass
Lodging, Materials, Breakfast, and Lunch

Four Month Cohort
Eight virtual implementation sessions led by your cohort coach.

Two Live Q&A Calls
Group video calls with Michael and the ProjectYM team to answer all your questions.

Leader Training Manual
Step by step guide for how to train and support your small group leaders.

Thrive Volunteers
Full access to our video training platform for all of your volunteer leaders for a year.

Small Group Content
24 week content plan to help your leaders focus on building community in their small groups.

Community Discussions
Access to a private space inside the Thrive Community exclusively for this program.

Archdiocese of Atlanta

Diocese of Baton Rouge

Diocese of Davenport

Archdiocese of Indianapolis

Diocese of
Jackson

Diocese of Knoxville

Archdiocese of Louisville

Diocese of Memphis

Archdiocese of New York

Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

Diocese of
Raleigh

Diocese of Sacramento

Diocese of San Bernardino

Diocese of Steubenville

NEWLY RESCHEDULE DATE!

FeBRUARY 9-12

in Chattanooga, TN

The cost is ONLY $195.
(A $700 DISCOUNT FROM THE NORMAL PRICE)