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 follow 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 8:00 PM.  A special registration fee for these six sessions is only $50.  Only one absence is permitted for these few classes immediately before the conferral of the sacrament by the bishop.

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 $140 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 3 & 4, 2018
  • February 9 & 10, 2019

The actual date of Confirmation is determined by Bishop McManus.  We can only request a date in mid-August.  We usually request a Friday night in November.  The rehearsal is usually held the evening before.   Once we receive notice of an official date it will be posted here along with the details for the rehearsal.