Confirmation is the sacrament that completes Baptism; in it the gift of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon us. Anyone who freely decides to live a life as God's child and asks for God's Spirit under the signs of the imposition of hands and anointing with chrism receives the strength to wtness to God's love and might in word and deed. They are now a full-fledged, responsible member of the Catholic Church. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285-1314).
The Confirmation program at Our Lady of Sorrows is a two-year program offered to young people typically beginning their freshman year of high school. (If older students would like to enroll, they are more than welcome.) The mission of the program is to help young people enter into loving relationship with God so they can change the world. Over the two-year period, Confirmation students are invited to grow in faith and prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation by attending monthly class sessions and learning outside the classroom through service, spiritual, and enrichment opportunities. Confirmation students also participate in a retreat each year of the program.
Confirmation I and II classes will be held in person during the 2023-24 faith formation year. As always, we will follow CDC and Archdiocesan guidelines regarding social distancing, masking, and other best practices in light of the current public health situation.
Confirmation I sessions will meet in O'Connell Hall from 7-8:30 p.m. one Thursday each month. Confirmation II sessions will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. one Sunday each month. See below for the full program schedule.
Volunteers are always needed! If you are available to serve as a facilitator, please contact Monica LaFond.
If you determine that our plans for faith formation sessions will not work well for your family and would like to explore homeschooling curriculum, feel free to contact Monica LaFond for resource recommendations.
Service opportunities provide students with a chance to live out their faith and participate in the Acts of Mercy to which Jesus calls us. Each student enrolled in the Confirmation program during 2023-24 is expected to participate in at least one service opportunity and complete a reflection form about their experience. Click here to learn more.
Spiritual Enrichment
At Our Lady of Sorrows, we believe that faith formation is a lifelong process meant to draw us into closer relationship with Christ and the Church. Faith formation is much broader than simply "instructing in the faith," and we strive to provide a variety of spiritually enriching activities and events in which parishioners of all ages can participate. Each student enrolled in the Confirmation program during 2023-24 is expected to participate in at least three spiritual enrichment opportunities and complete a reflection form about their experience. Click here to learn more.
The theme of Confirmation I is Faith in Our Lives: Revisiting, Reviewing and Applying the Basics of Our Faith to Everyday Life. The overall goals of the program are to create a space for thoughtful conversation, demonstrate the relevance of our faith to the lives of teens in today, and build community. Curriculum resources used for the development of our sessions include: Equipping the Saints, Education for Justice, Catholic Central, Busted Halo and the McGrath Institute for Church Life, as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible.
Schedule
Parent and Student Orientation: An orientation for Confirmation I students and their parents will be held on Thursday, September 28 from 7-8 pm in O'Connell Hall.
Monthly Classes: The Confirmation I students will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. in O'Connell Hall on the following Thursdays each month:
October 5
November 2
December 7
January 4
February 1
March 7
April 4
May 2
Snow Day Make-Up Class: Our Snow Day Make-Up Class will be on Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 7-8:30 pm and will be used to cover the topic of any class that is canceled due to inclement weather.
Confirmation I Retreat: A retreat for Confirmation I students will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2024 from 9 to 5 pm at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, MA. Transportation to and from OLOS will be provided.
The theme of the year is Catholic Social Teaching, and each class will explore one of the seven themes of CST, with the overall goals of creating a space for thoughtful conversation about peace and justice and translating faith themes to everyday life.
Primary resources used for the development of this year's curriculum are Catholic Relief Services and Education for Justice.
Schedule
Parent Orientation: Parents of registered Confirmation II students will receive orientation materials by email during the week preceding the first class.
Monthly Classes: The Confirmation II students will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. on the following Sundays each month:
October 1
November 5
December 3
February 4
March 3
April 7
Confirmation Mass & Reception: Friday, May 10, 7 p.m.
(contingent upon confirmation of the date from the Archdiocese)