Duc In Altum

Duc In Altum is a Latin phrase meaning "Put Out Into the Deep" — the words Christ spoke to Simon Peter in the Gospel of Luke (5:4). It is our joint middle school faith formation and Confirmation preparation ministry, offered in partnership by St. Bartholomew Parish and Holy Family Parish. The program is designed to form young disciples in the Catholic faith, drawing them into deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, community, and the sacraments.

Duc In Altum is co-developed and led by Fr. Patrick Schultz of St. Bartholomew Parish and Fr. David Stavarz of Holy Family Parish, along with dedicated adult volunteers and catechists from both parishes, under the leadership of Austin Ritts (From St. Bartholomew).

Duc In Altum is open to ALL students in grades 5 through 8 from St. Bartholomew Parish and Holy Family Parish. All middle schoolers are welcome, regardless of where they attend school.

Confirmation prep in the Diocese of Cleveland spans a two year process, a year of remote preparation (7th graders) and a year of immediate preparation (8th grade). During their 5th - 7th grade years, we're laying the foundation. Then in 8th grade, we make the turn and directly address the topic of Confirmation with the 8th graders in 8th grade-specific talks and breakouts.

5th & 6th Grade: We warmly encourage regular attendance! There are no formal requirements- simply an open invitation to come, have fun, and encounter the Lord and grow in the faith. Yes, even for our children already enrolled in our Catholic schools! Duc In Altum will take the learning in the theology classroom from the head into the heart! 

7th Grade: In the Diocese of Cleveland, Confirmation preparation spans two years. We are designating 7th grade as the year of remote preparation. We ask that 7th graders make a genuine effort to attend at least half of all sessions - ideally more. 

8th Grade: The 8th grade year serves as the year of immediate preparation for Confirmation. We want our 8th graders to be there, present, growing and having fun throughout the Fall semester of Duc In Altum. Then, beginning in January, 8th graders will participate in a separate Confirmation track - joining Fr. Patrick and or Fr. David for a dedicated Confirmation talk/teaching/formation session, followed by focused small group discussion with their 8th grade small group leaders - while 5th through 7th graders continue together in their own session. Because of this intentional structure during the Spring semester (January through April), we ask that 8th graders attend at least two-thirds of those Monday nights. 8th graders in the Spring semester will be dropped off in the same location as in the Fall. 

We want to be clear: we're hoping you won't approach this from a "bare minimum" perspective. We're inviting you to see this as an extraordinary opportunity to set your child up for a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. But we're also reasonable, and we genuinely want to work with you. If conflicts arise, come talk to us - we will help find a solution. 

Duc In Altum meets on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 PM in Saunders Hall at St. Bartholomew parish. For all dates, see the calendar that is in your parent packet you received in the mail. Students can be dropped off at either Door E or Door O.

All sessions are held at St. Bartholomew Parish, 14865 Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130 in Saunders' Hall.

Students can be dropped off at either Door E or Door O.

Please drop off your child at either Door E or Door O no earlier than 6:45 PM. 

Pick-up is promptly at 8:30 PM. 

5th and 6th graders will exit out of Door E; 

7th and 8th graders will exit out of Door O. And if you have more than one child in Duc In Altum, your children will go to the door of your eldest child (e.g., if you have a 5th and 7th grader in Duc In Altum, they will be going out of Door O).

For all students, 5th - 8th Grade, the program fee is $100.00. If you have two or more children participating in Duc In Altum, the additional cost per child is $50.00, with a family maximum at $150.00. 

These fees support snacks, materials, and the resources needed to offer your children the highest quality ministry we can.  We ask that all fees be submitted by August 30, 2026. When you register online, you have the ability to pay online. You may also drop off a check to the parish office, and in the memo line, please indicate "Duc In Altum fee." 

We never want cost to be a barrier to participation. If your family has financial need, please contact Fr. Patrick or Fr. David at their parish offices confidentially. We will work with you.

At the start of each Monday evening session, all students will be asked to surrender their cell phones. Phones will be collected and kept safely by our staff, then returned to students at the end of the night.

We want our students to be fully present - to one another, to their faith, and to the encounter God has prepared for them that evening. We have found that when phones are set aside, something beautiful happens: students listen more deeply, connect more genuinely, and open themselves more fully to what the Holy Spirit is doing. We are grateful for your partnership and support of this policy. 

We ask that students dress modestly and casually. Come as you are there is no formal dress requirement for regular sessions.

What should my child bring each week?

*   A Bible (if they have one)

*   A notebook or journal and pen

*   An open heart and a willingness to participate

Specific supply needs for individual sessions will be communicated in advance.

One of the most exciting new elements this year is a Confirmation retreat for our 8th graders at Damascus Catholic Mission Campus (September 11-13, 2026). Fr. David and Fr. Patrick have both worked with Damascus for over a decade, and we can say without hesitation: there is no retreat experience better suited to setting young hearts on fire for Christi Damascus is a thoroughly Catholic mission campus located in Centerburg, OH (about an hour and a half drive), staffed by dozens of college-aged missionaries who are thoroughly trained, rigorously vetted, and fully compliant with all Diocesan safe environment standards. Their retreats are exceptional - and they unequivocally change lives! The leadership of Damascus Catholic Mission Campus have collectively served in youth ministry for decades, and their methods and approach have proven themselves over and over again. St. Paul encountered the Lord Jesus in a life-changing way while on the road to Damascus 2000 years ago. Tens of thousands of young people from all over the country can now tell the same story because of attending a retreat at Damascus Catholic Mission Campus! 

We are excited to share that through the generosity of donors from both parishes, the retreat registration fee for the Damascus Confirmation retreat has been entirely covered! Normally it costs $165 .00 per student to attend; If those specific retreat dates present a conflict, we can explore other Damascus Confirmation retreat dates later in the year, or a local diocesan parish one-day retreat option. We will not let cost or scheduling be a barrier. 

More information about Damascus can be found by following the QR code at the end of this letter. Also, feel free to visit damascus.net, and/or go on YouTube.com and search "Damascus Camper Testimonial" and be ready with your box of tissues! 

In the parent packet sent to 8th grade parents, there is a separate form and link to register. You will be provided a code that zero's out the registration cost when you submit your registration. We will be organizing and providing bus transportation down to Damascus on Friday September 11th, departing the school parking lot at 4: 15 pm. However, parents are asked to pick up their child from Damascus on Sunday September 13th, arriving at 10:00 am for the closing remarks, camper testimonials, and closing Mass which covers your Sunday obligation. You must register for the Damascus Confirmation retreat by August 28, 2026. 

We hope this gives you everything you need to plan ahead for a great year - but for now, enjoy the summer! We look forward to journeying with your families this fall, and we remain always available for any questions you may have.