Confirmation Preparation:
Information Meeting
Online Steps
Rite of Enrollment
Online Materials (Chosen Videos)
Confirmation Topical Sessions
Sponsor Information and Conversations
Confirmation Retreat
Choosing a Confirmation Name
Works of Mercy (Service)
Confirmation Prayer Partners
Additional Preparation Videos
What Should I Wear for Confirmation?
Confirmation Online Steps:
Step 1 – Information and questions to answer before having conversation with Tony (a link to sign up to meet with Tony appears at the end). Completing Step 1 is a candidate’s request to prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Step 2 – Sponsor Information, Confirmation name (if taking one), letter for the Bishop, and some additional information needed for our sacramental records. At the end will be the link to choose a date to receive Confirmation.
Confirmation Retreat
Different from the Teen Ministries retreats offered in April 2022, we plan offer a retreat experience for Confirmation candidates. These dates and locations have yet to be determined, though they will be day-long experiences only (and not overnight).
Works of Mercy (service)
We are focusing on experiences of works of mercy, and are no longer able to count service hours. Teens and families are encouraged to keep lists of all service-type experiences for themselves, as those lists may be useful for future scholarships and honor societies at school. We are no longer requiring a certain number of hours, nor do we have the resources to keep track of these hours.
Confirmation Prayer Partners:
A member of our parish community will be praying for each candidate through their Confirmation day, until the following Pentecost.
Members of our community who wish to pray for our Confirmation candidates may use the button above to sign up, and will be notified by the Confirmation Coordinator with the name and information of one or two candidates.
Resources for Choosing a Confirmation Name:
What Should I Wear for Confirmation?
Candidates for Confirmation and their families often ask about what clothing is appropriate for the ceremony. It is suggested that you think of what you would wear for Easter Mass, than be one step more dressy. Hair should be prepared to keep the forehead open, as the Bishop will be making a cross with oil on the forehead. Please do not wear a hat, as even dress hats often get in the way. There should be no gum or food in the church.
Guys’ Details:
Suits are fine, sport jacket is good, neither is necessary.
Nice pants, can be khakis, but no jeans.
Collared shirt, better if it’s a dress shirt.
Ties are fine (with appropriate content).
Dress shoes – no sneakers.
Girls’ Details:
Comfortable dress shoes, but with no big heels, as they are too easy to trip on.
Skirts and dresses are fine, but not required, and please be mindful of modesty.
Conservative makeup.
Flowers are fine.
Confirmation for Teens
is a component of Teen Ministries
Teens are eligible to prepare for Confirmation if they are participating in Teen Ministries or attending a Catholic High School.
Confirmation 2022 will be celebrated on:
Saturday, October 15, 10:00am
Friday, October 21, 7:00pm
Confirmation will take place in a liturgy outside of Mass.
Confirmation Preparation Process:
Confirmation Rite of Enrollment: Sunday, June 5, 4:00-5:00pm at the Parish Hall in Billerica Center. This is the deadline for a teen to request to become a candidate for Confirmation in the fall of 2022.
Confirmation Online Materials: We will resume using the Ascension Press Chosen materials online, lessons 12-24, which will be discussed at the Confirmation Topical Sessions (below). Viewing these videos, related to the topical sessions, may be completed anytime prior to the relevant topical sessions, beginning now.
Click here for Tony’s video explaining how to access the Chosen material online.
Confirmation Topical Sessions:
Sundays, 6:00-7:30pm – June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11
Make Up Sessions: September 25 and October 2
Held at Parish Hall in Billerica Center, behind St. Theresa Church
Food at Confirmation Topical Sessions:
Given the timing of our Confirmation topical sessions, we want to offer some light refreshments (not intending a full meal), and ask that each family help in some way – see the available slots on the sign up genius for what is needed.
Please note that this sign up is looking for food and helpers from 6:00-6:30pm, however, the Confirmation topical Sessions will run from 6:00-7:30pm (we don’t intend the food to be out the entire time).
Teens preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation in the fall of 2022 should complete the three online steps (buttons) as part of the preparation process.
Each teen should meet with Confirmation Coordinator Tony, or one of our Adult Leaders. These Confirmation Conversations are meant to discuss the life and faith of the candidate – it is not a test! Use the link to sign up for a Confirmation Conversation, or to meet with Tony about any number of items.
Tony Carbrello is the Coordinator of Teen Ministries, and Dustin Batista is the Assistant Coordinator of Teen Ministries.
We would be happy to answer any questions you have by calling us at 978-667-3733 x445 (Tony) or x448 (Dustin).
Information Meeting:
Below is the video of Tony’s informational meeting about the process to prepare for and receive the sacrament of Confirmation in 2022.
Tony’s video about how to access the material online, and what to look for:
Confirmation Sponsors:
How Do I Choose a Confirmation Sponsor? (by Tony):
The Code of Canon Law (Church Law) specifies the requirements for serving as a sponsor at Confirmation (Canon 893) are the same as those for godparents at Baptism (Canon 874): a sponsor may not be the parent of the person being confirmed, a sponsor must be at least 16 years old, a sponsor must be fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) in the Catholic church, a sponsor should live a life of active faith in the Catholic Church, and if married a sponsor needs to be in valid Catholic marriage.
It is preferred that a baptismal Godparent will be the Confirmation sponsor, although ultimately the choice of sponsor is that of the candidate, who may choose someone who meets the qualifications above.
While it is preferable that sponsors attend the Confirmation liturgy, it is possible to have a “proxy” stand in for the absentee sponsor. This has always been the case, but has been more common due to the pandemic.
If you have further questions, please contact Tony.
Sponsor Conversations:
Using the resource from Ascension Press, Chosen: Sponsor Guide, each candidate and sponsor should meet 3-4 times prior to the reception of Confirmation. These conversations should happen in person or virtually, speaking about faith and Confirmation. Sponsors should use the button below to notify us that a conversation has happened and provide any useful feedback.
Additional Preparation Videos:
Video from Syracuse, NY Diocese – Confirmation
Confirmation – Catholic Central:
It’s Not Graduation – ODB Films