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.  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.
Classes have been scheduled for Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Parish Center. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays, September 17 & 14, October 1, 8  22 and November 5.

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.  Candidates for this fall who did not complete a retreat last year, need to register for the November retreat; the deadline for registration is October 15th.  If candidates cannot attend this retreat, and did not attend one last year, arrangements will be made for their confirmation at another parish after the February retreat.

• 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 2019-20 year are
  • November 9 & 10, 2019
  • February 8 & 9, 2020

Bishop McManus has informed us that he will join us on Friday, November 15, 2019 to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in our parish at 7 PM.  A rehearsal for all candidates will be held on Thursday, November 14th from 6 to 8 PM in the upper church.  All candidates are expected to attend this rehearsal with their sponsor or a parent.