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978-462-2724
Holy Redeemer and Immaculate Conception Catholic Parishes

Faith Formation

Director of Lifelong Faith Formation: Aaron Giard / 978-462-2724 x 405 / agiard@hriccatholic.org
Assistant to Lifelong Faith Formation: Melinda Burrell / 978-462-2724 x 420 / burrell@hriccatholic.org

All volunteers need to fill out a CORI Form before assisting with children. Download the 2025 form here.

 

Faith Formation 2024-2025

For Immaculate Conception Parish Faith Formation schedules, go HERE.

For Holy Redeemer Parish Faith Formation schedules, go HERE.

For Registration Forms for all K-10th Grade Faith Formation, go HERE.

 

 

Confirmation Changes to 8th Grade

Cardinal Sean recently announced that the normal age for Confirmation in the Archdiocese will be moved from 10th/11th Grade to 8th Grade. We have formed a plan for implementing this change in our parishes in the coming years. 

Confirmation Change FAQs

"Who will be eligible to receive Confirmation in 2024-2025?" 

  • As planned, this 2023-2024 school year's 10th Graders will be confirmed October 5th, 2024.
  • Incoming Fall 2024  10th graders will be able to receive the Sacrament in the Spring of 2025 after they finish their formation process this coming Fall-Spring.
  • Incoming 8th & 9th graders will be able to receive the Sacrament in the Winter of 2025, after a formation process beginning in September, provided that they have received faith formation in recent years (6th & 7th grade, at least). 
  • NOTE: The exact dates and times for Winter and Spring 2025 Confirmation Liturgies have not been given to us yet by the Archdiocese.

"What will preparation entail for Confirmation?" 

  1. There is a prerequisite of recent faith formation entering into the sacramental preparation year.
  2. Formal sacramental preparation will be 6-8 months long, down from 2 years in the past.
  3. A Parent-candidate session Thurs. September 5th at 6:15 PM kicks things off 
    1. NOTE: incoming 10th graders are exempt from this since they had this meeting last year when they began year 1 of prep
  4. A Sponsor-candidate session Sunday, September 22nd at 3:30 - 5:00 PM 
    1. NOTE: Begin discerning/asking for a Sponsor this summer. This person must be a practicing, confirmed Catholic in good standing. He/she cannot be a parent or guardian. He/she ought not be picked because of a close relationship with the candidate, but because this person inspires the candidate to be a better Catholic and grow in faith, hope and love.
  5. 8 catechesis sessions (see IC Parish schedule HERE and HR Parish schedule HERE)
  6. A day-retreat (Saturday or Sunday) for 5 hours, including Mass and Confession. This will take place a week or so before the Sacrament of Confirmation. TBD
  7. A service project.

"What if my son or daughter has not received Faith Formation at a parish or Catholic school recently?"

  • If your son or daughter has NOT received any faith formation for a couple of years, we will ask that he or she complete a year of Faith Formation before beginning formal sacramental preparation next year.

"What are our options/what's the plan, depending on my child's grade and experience?"

  • Incoming 6th-7th Graders: 
    • Enroll in Faith Formation classes for the upcoming school year.
    • Confirmation Prep will begin Fall of their 8th Grade year, Confirmation in Winter of that school year.
  • Incoming 8th Graders who HAVE received Faith Formation recently: 
    • Enroll in Confirmation Prep for upcoming Fall-Winter. 
    • Confirmation in Winter of 2025
  • Incoming 8th Graders who HAVE NOT received Faith Formation recently: 
    • Enroll in Faith Formation classes for the upcoming school year. 
      • Confirmation Prep will then begin Fall 2025 with Confirmation in Winter 2026
  • Incoming 9th Graders who HAVE received Faith Formation recently: 
    • Enroll in Confirmation Prep for upcoming Fall-Winter. 
    • Confirmation in Winter of 2025
  • Incoming 9th Graders who HAVE NOT received Faith Formation recently: 
    • Enroll in Faith Formation classes for the upcoming school year. 
    • Confirmation Prep will begin Fall 2025, Confirmation in Winter 2026
  • Incoming 10th Graders: 
    • Enroll in Confirmation Prep for upcoming Fall-Spring. 
    • Confirmation in Spring 2025

Call or email with any questions you may have. See the top of this webpage for contact information for Aaron Giard.