Introducing our Faith Formation Staff
Contact us at (978) 256-2374 or email...
Heather Hannaway, MA, Director of Faith Formation, ext 226
Courtney Callanan, MA, Asst Director of Faith Formation, ext 227
Shaun Bradley, MA, Faith Formation Associate, ext 236
Elaine Kindler, Faith Formation Program Administrator, ext 216
Lynn Anne LaDuke, Faith Formation Coordinator, ext 240
Sacramental Preparation
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year process. Teens typically begin preperation their freshmen year of high school but are welcome to begin the process later if needed. In the Holy Rood Collaborative, St. Mary holds a spring Confirmation while St. John & St. Margaret hold a fall Confirmation. Participation in parish sacramental preperation is required of all teens including those who attend Catholic schools. Those who have not recieved faith formation either through parish faith formation or Catholic schooling in the years leading up to Confirmation may be asked to participate in supplementary instruction as part of their Confirmation preperation process.
Curriculum
Confirmation Prep uses Chosen: Your Journey to Confirmation by Ascension Press. Chosen brings together twelve of the most talented and inspiring presenters in the Church today, and is filmed at more than fifty locations, Chosen is designed to capture the attention of our youth and present the faith to them in new and unexpected ways. The program seeks to connect with the hearts and minds of our young people on an intellectual, emotional, and spiritual level. Each week, teens will be engaged, challenged, and inspired as they are guide toward a deepening relationship with Christ and a life of committed discipleship. Every other class is supplement with Confirmation Prayer Formation designed by the Faith Formation Staff to help teens grow in their prayer lives.
Components
Mass
As Catholics, we believe that the Holy Mass is the source and summit of our faith. Regular Mass attendance (i.e. at least every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation) is an expectation of our faith formation families. The Confirmation class timing is designed to be in conjunction with a Mass, taking place before the evening Mass at St. John's. However, families are welcome to attend any Mass that works for them and their schedule. Mass engagement is encouraged throughout the year through Mass Tickets and Mass Reflections.
Prayer
Prayer is an essential part of Christian life. It is also a difficult habit to aquire. Part of Confirmation preperation is focused on helping teens to grow in their prayer lives. This is done in two ways. First through exposing them to a variety of ways of praying, in hopes that each teen will discover a method or two of praying particularly well suited to him or her. Second through accountability; teens will set prayer goals each class and review their goals from the previous month with their tables to help them learn to recognize what helps them to pray best.
Class
Confirmation meets once or twice a month during the faith formation year for a total of 12 classes. Classes are held in the St. John Parish Hall. Youth are split into small groups that sit together at tables with adult facilitators. A lead teacher presents material to the large group which is reinforced and explored further in activities and discussion conducted in the small groups.
Parent Participation
Parent engagement is crucial when it comes to passing on the faith to the next generation. It is important that parents model faith practices their children. This is why our collaborative has a family-centered model for Faith Formation with parents praying, learning, and growing in their faiths along with their children. We also know that beginning to take on more responsibility for their faith lives is important for Confirmation Candidates. Therefore, we will not be asking parents to attend every Session, as we do for the younger grades. Instead, parents will be expected to attend 3 Sessions throughout the year. This will include the 1st Session of the year and 2 additional sessions of their choosing. Parents can attend whichever Session works best for their schedule or whose topic most piques their interest. Parents will be placed at Parent Tables together where they will be able to discuss the faith and raising kids in the faith with other Catholic parents. We ask that, if possible, parents please sign-up for the sessions they wish to attend ahead of time so we can make sure we have enough materials available.
Link to Sign-Up For Confirmation I Link to Sign-Up for Confirmation II
Deep Dives
A common component to all grade levels in family faith formation, Deep Dives are a chance for families to experience faith together through prayer, service, etc. A wide variety of Deep Dives will be offered throughout the year, allowing families to pick ones that fit with their schedules and interests. Confirmation Candidates are asked to complete AT LEAST 4 Deep Dives each year. 2 of these should be done with their families and 2 can be done on their own or with friends.
Make-Up Work
October 1Session Schedule
Make-Up Work
October 15Sacramental Paperwork
The below sacramental paperwork (Sacramental Records, Saint Name Form, Sponsor Form, and Letter to the Bishop) is all due by February 11, 2024. Saint and Sponsor forms should be filled out online and a hard copy of the Bishop Letter should be brought to the February 11th class.
Sacramental Records
Both Baptismal and First Eucharist records should be on file with the parish. Candidates who made their First Eucharist at one of our parishes can assume that we have these records unless informed otherwise.
Saint Name Form
Candidates may choose a Confirmation Saint name. Information on how to choose a saint name, as well as the Saint Name Form, is provided via the below link. This form should be filled out by the Confirmation candidate.
Saint Name Form
Sponsor Form
Candidates will need to choose a Sponsor for Confirmation. Being a Confirmation sponsor is a great honor, but also a responsibility that should only be given to someone who can serve as a model and mentor in our Catholic Faith. Sponsors MUST be a confirmed and practicing Catholic who is at least 16 years of age and NOT a parent of the confirmand. The Sponsor Form is provided via the below link, and should be completed by the Confirmation candidate.
Sponsor Form
Letter to the Bishop
Please refer to the directions on how to write a Letter to the Bishop via the below link. A hard copy of the letter should be turned in at class, or mailed to the collaborative offices. Please retain an electronic copy until after Confirmation.
Bishop Letter Directions
Additional Confirmation II Expectations
Sponsor & Candidate Evening
Candidates and their sponsors—or parent if their sponsor is not local—need to attend a Sponsor & Candidate Evening. These evenings are scheduled from 6:30-8:30 pm on the following dates and locations:
Candidates and sponsors can attend the evening that best fits their schedule, regardless of the parish in which they will be confirmed. Please register via the below link.
Sponsor/Candidate Registration
Interview with the Pastor
Fr. Brian has requested that all confirmation candidates complete a 15 minunte interview with a priest before receiving confirmation. This is not meant to be an intimidating event, but merely a chance for all teens to talk with a priest and for our priest to get to know the youth a little better. Interviews will be schedule for the month before each specific parish’s Confirmation ceremonies.
Retreat & Rehearsal
A retreat with rehearsal will be held the evening before the Confirmation ceremonies from 4:30-9:00pm at St. John's. The last hour of the retreat will be Mass and family and friends are welcome to join us for Mass. All Confirmandi are required to attend with their sponsor.
Confirmation Ceremony
The St. Mary’s Confirmation ceremony will take place in the Spring on Sunday, May 26 at 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm. The St. John’s and St. Margaret’s confirmation ceremony take place in the fall of 2024 at St. Margaret's. Exact dates/times will be provided as soon as we receieve them from the Bishop.