A Prayer for Family
Commitment
Introduction
The beginning of Pope John XXIII’s Second Vatican Council
heralded a new era in the spirit of Catholicism. Religious
Education in St. Theresa’s is no exception in its attempts to make
religion a part of our lives in this fast changing world.
The purpose of Religious Education is to “promote an
understanding of and love for the teachings and person of Jesus
Christ.”
In the document “To Teach as Jesus Did”, it stated that Religious
Education programs must “Strive to teach doctrine fully, foster
community, and prepare their students for Christian Service”.
In 2000, the New England Bishops wrote about the formation of
children as Disciples of Christ. This Parish Program invites each
child to actively participate in this discipleship, by attending
class, their Grade Level Penance Service, involvement in Service
Projects, as well as celebrating Weekly Worship.
D
ear God our Father, you have called all Christian families to be a sign
of your love to the world. Help us to be generous with the gifts of life and
love that you have showered on our family. May we share them so that our
homes become true signs of unitive and fruitful love.
Let us never forget to thank you each day for all that sustains us
and to look to Christ, who comes to us in the events of family
life, in the sacraments of the Church, and in service to the poor.
In all of this, our family becomes a living expression of your
Church, a hallowed home of life and love. By the power of the
Holy Spirit, may all of us—spouses, parents, and children—
share, as members of his Body, in Jesus’ mission to build a
civilization of love. Father, we ask this in Jesus’ name in union
with the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The purpose of this handbook is to inform you of the program at
each level.
Further details available from the Religious Ed Directors:
Paula Colpitts Grades 1-8
Email: pcolpitts@parishmail.com
Telephone: 978-664-2962 ext. 4
Nancy Cirone, Confirmation I & II,
Email: nance00@comcast.net
Telephone: 978-664-2962 ext. 5
We acknowledge that catechesis is an educational ministry, and is
undertaken largely through our ministers and volunteer teachers.
The whole parish is charged with supervising this ministry.
Parents are the first catechists and through them, the faith is
passed on. Parishioners who are called to be catechists support
and extend the parents’ role.
CONFIRMATION
Guidelines below summarize the basic requirements of
the Confirmation Program here at St. Theresa’s Parish. This
program is intended to focus on both the receipt of the Sacrament
of Confirmation and, as importantly, on living the faith that this
Sacrament represents.
Sacraments represent sacred signs instituted by Christ.
As such, the Church places great importance on the preparation
and receipt of a Sacrament. Candidates and parents are asked to
display the seriousness and reverence that the Sacrament of
Confirmation warrants by adhering to the following guidelines.
Candidate Responsibilities Candidates for Confirmation
are expected to display a level of effort and attitude that is
appropriate for the significance of this Sacrament. Anything less
signifies that a candidate may not be fully committed at this time.
The responsibilities of each candidate in the Confirmation
Program include:
Class Attendance is anticipated (no home schooling) and
all candidates are expected to prioritize this program on their
schedules given the importance that this Sacrament bears. If a
candidate is expected to be, absent for any reason, s/he should
contact Mrs. Cirone (978-664-2962 x5) prior to the scheduled
class and they should arrange for their homework to be turned in
during the next scheduled class if applicable.
Class Preparation & Participation is expected. Each
candidate comes to class prepared with their textbook, homework
assignment and actively participates in class discussion.
Candidates are expected to turn in their homework to their
catechist at the beginning of each class. Any candidate that does
not turn in their homework may not have put forth a reasonable
effort into completing their homework or does not bring their
book may not be fully prepared for the responsibility the
Sacrament commands.
Confirmation Retreat have been scheduled and each
Confirmation candidate (grade 10) is expected to attend on the
two spiritual retreats. All effort will be invested to accommodate
the candidates given our two scheduled retreat dates. If the
scheduled retreat is not attended then the candidate may attend a
retreat with other parishes at a date, time and location to be
determined.
Mass Attendance is expected weekly. The celebration of
Mass is our principal way of giving glory and praise to God by
remembering Christ’s death and resurrection. It is a fundamental
requirement of all members of the Church.
Behavior Candidates for Confirmation (grades 9 & 10)
are expected to be respectful, responsive, and just that anything
less will be considered unacceptable. Should any matter demand
attention a parental conference will be scheduled.
Apostolic Service is an element for Confirmation
Candidates in grade 10. It is expected all candidates will
complete a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of service to the parish
and those opportunities have been identified and handed out at
orientation. Requests for alternative apostolic service projects
require prior approval from Mrs. Cirone. Currently active altar
servers, choir members, etc. are exempt from this requirement
given their dedication and service to our faith community.
Proper documentation must be provided and available at
orientation. Apostolic Service is an opportunity for Confirmation
Candidates to work with and share in parish ministry, each event
supervisor will be a witness to Christ in their life and ministry
through service.
Presence to the Parish is for Confirmation Candidates
(grade 10) to be present to the Parish community during Masses
on their assigned Sunday. Every candidate will be present to the
parish, commit to their schedule and fulfill this expectation.
More details at orientation.
Parent Responsibilities for Confirmation (grades 9 & 10)
Parents accept the responsibility to bring their children up in the
practice of faith at Baptism. The active participation of parents is
central to the formation of their children’s faith. The specific
responsibilities of parents in the Confirmation Program include:
Good Example – Parents are the primary teachers of their
children. The best lessons taught are those that are observed
when parents hold themselves and others to their best effort.
Children cannot be expected to place a high value on any subject,
including religion and faith, unless they consistently witness the
importance of such first hand from their parents.
Mass Attendance – Parents are expected to attend Mass
each week with their families. The importance of community
worship and the connection between Mass and the Sacrament of
Confirmation cannot be overemphasized.
Service – One of the best ways to give good example to
children is through community and apostolic service. Parents are
expected to actively participate along with their children in the
life of St. Theresa’s Parish and in other community service
projects.
Parish Responsibilities The parish community is the
center of our worship to God. The specific responsibilities of St.
Theresa’s Parish, acting through its pastor, Confirmation
Director, and catechists, include:
Preparation Program – The Parish of St. Theresa’s is
expected to schedule and hold regular Confirmation classes,
arrange spiritual retreats, identify service opportunities, generally
assist student and candidates to prepare for receipt of the
Sacrament of Confirmation and support and encourage families
to place God at the center of their lives.
Good Example – The Parish of St. Theresa’s has an
obligation to practice, teach, and uphold the Catholic faith and to
always be of good example. Such good example includes
holding each other to our best.
Prayer – The Parish of St. Theresa’s is responsible for
placing God’s will before our own through individual and
community prayer.
Curriculum Guidelines
The Sacrament of Confirmation completes ones full
Christian initiation into the Church. As such, it signals ones
commitment to be a witness of God. We give witness to God
when we do our best to place him at the center of our lives.
Grade 9
One Faith, One Lord
The Study of Basic Catholic Belief including a reaffirmation of
the precepts of faith in the 1st year of a two-year journey
preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Grade 10
Confirming Faith
A faith development program for high school students preparing
to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with the support of
the entire faith community.
6:30 MASS
This Mass on Sunday evenings was put in place to accommodate
the Confirmation Program. Mass is the foundation to our faith
community and for the receipt of the Sacraments.
Confirmation: Grades 9 & 10: Sunday Eve


The Rectory side of the Parish Hall is the
EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY. There will be no pick
up or drop off at this door as that would create a
traffic jam and present a dangerous situation for
pedestrians.
Parents, please pull up to the entry door of the Parish Hall
(not rectory side) and drop off where all will be greeted.
Parents, for pick up please pull into the parking spaces on
the entry side and wait for your son/daughter to arrive
safely to you. If you park in front of the drop off, two
things happen, there’s a student safety issue with moving
vehicles in the foot path and door traffic backs up around
the Church and onto Winter Street – we must avoid this
safety issue so thank you for extending us the courtesy of
parking, waiting, and leaving with the flow of the parking
spaces.
o Cars must be parked in the proper manner and all
parking restrictions and traffic flows observed to
ensure the safety of all.
o Considerations are always reviewed case by case,
thank you.
can work together to ensure all children are given access to learn
about their faith in a manner consistent with their abilities.
Please communicate any special requirements or conditions
necessary with the Director of the Program.
Reconciliation and Confirmation
The invitation to experience Christ’s love through the
Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the major initiatives of
Cardinal Seán and the archdiocese. The Light is on For You
initiative highlights the importance of this sacrament in the life of
Catholics and increases its availability, hoping that every
Catholic will visit this source of God’s mercy and healing love
please visit the website at www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org
Time has been set aside on Wednesday evenings during
Advent & Lent; members of the Confirmation Program will be
invited to participate on assigned dates, schedule available at
orientation.
Confirmation is one of the sacraments of initiation, along
with Baptism and Eucharist. While Baptism is the sacrament of
rebirth to a new and supernatural life, Confirmation is the
sacrament of maturity and coming of age. The anointing of
Chrism oil and the laying on of hands by the Bishop confer it.
The Sacrament of Confirmation draws us into a greater
awareness of the Holy Spirit, which we received at Baptism.
Through this sacrament, we confirm the presence of the
baptismal gifts we have already received; we are sealed with the
undeserved and unearned gift of the Holy Spirit.
By a signing with the gift of the Spirit, confirmation enriches
the baptized with the Holy Spirit, binding them more perfectly to
the Church, and strengthening them in their witness to Christ by
word and deed and in their work to bring to its fullness the Body
of Christ.
Accommodations
We make every effort to include all children in our program. This
may require a discussion with the family to understand how we
Conclusion
The intent of this booklet has been to give a brief overview of
what direction religious education is taking at St. Theresa’s.
We welcome discussion at any time over any issue related to
religious education.
Please do not hesitate to speak to any of our Catechists, Grade
Level Coordinators or Religious Education Directors.
Faith is first experienced within the family. The parish
community nurtures and supports this faith formation.
Thank you for your continued support.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mrs. Paula Colpitts
Religious Education Director, Grades 1 – 8
978-664-2962 ext.4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mrs. Nancy Cirone
Religious Education Director, Confirmation
978-664-2962 ext. 5