Confirmation

At this present time in the Diocese of Worcester, Confirmation is usually celebrated during one's high school years.  There is no mandate that this must be done during this time of one's faith journey or development. 
Contrary to popular opinion, it does not make one an adult in the Church.  It does mean that one is fully initiated in the Church and therefore is eligible to sponsor another person in the Church.  Not being confirmed does not prohibit one from celebrating a marriage by the Church or from witnessing one as a best man or maid of honor. It does prohibit one from serving as a godparent or sponsor for another at baptism or confirmation.  The reason for this should be clear, a godparent steps up in good faith to take responsibility for the faith journey of another person.  If a person has not followed through on their own faith journey, how would they be responsible for someone else?

As it is for the other sacraments, one must have been enrolled in regular Religious Education classes or in a Catholic high school in order to be eligible to register for the Confirmation preparation sessions.  These classes should be completed a year before the fall of the intended enrollment for Confirmation.  Home study students need to complete an interview with the Pastor or Religious Education Director in order to ascertain the completion of this requirement to register.

The final and intentional preparation sessions for Confirmation are held from September to November.  Classes are held in the Parish Center on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.  A special registration fee for these six sessions is only $50.  Absence is not permitted for these few classes. If an emergency need arises please contact  Kathy Moran in the Religious Education Office.

The Limitless Youth Ministry in collaboration with Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Milford organizes a weekend retreat that is held at Betania II in Medway, MA. 

• The retreat begins on Saturday morning at 8:30 AM and concludes on Sunday with Mass at 3:30 PM.  
• Candidates are responsible for bed linens and towels for the weekend.
• Meals are included in the retreat.
• No cell phones, ipods or portable devices should be brought to the retreat.
• An emergency phone number will be provided for parents so that they do not interfere in the flow of the weekend, but in an emergency can be in contact.
• The cost of the weekend is $145 and is all inclusive.  If this expense is a hardship, please speak to a staff member for assistance, there is scholarship assistance available.
• The dates for the 2018-19 year are
  • November 10 & 11, 2018
  • January 12 & 13, 2019

Bishop McManus joined us on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 7 PM to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with the young people of our parish.  We are grateful for the presence of music ministers representing each of our cultural and linguistic communities.  The Women's Schola, under the direction of Tony Orifice led us in English, the choirs from both the Portuguese and Brazilian communities led us in music in Portuguese and Joan Orellana, accompanied by Jonathan Capece provided a musical offering in Spanish.  Bishop McManus commented he was particularly impressed by the strong answers our young people provided to the questions in the renewal of the baptismal promises.  A full church clearly was a sign of support and encouragement to the step these young people made.

Those still preparing for Confirmation will be confirmed in November of 2019 at a date to be determined by the bishop next September.