St. Mary's Parish, Franklin MA  
Sacrament of Confirmation 2017 

October 10, 2017
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Dear Parents, Guardians and Confirmation Candidates -

I hope this bulletin finds you and your family well and enjoying an incredible New England autumn with your loved ones.  

Contained in this bulletin are the final preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation to be held the weekend of November 10 and 11. Please review the contents in its entirety to ensure your Confirmation Candidate, the Sponsor and the entire family is best prepared.
Sacrament of Confirmation Mass Schedule and Details
Sacrament of Confirmation is being held in three separate Masses on Friday, November 10, 2017 and Saturday, November 11, 2017 based on the last name of the Confirmation Candidate.  The schedule is as follows:
Friday, November 10, 2017 @ 6:00 p.m. for Last Names beginning A-E
Saturday, November 11, 2017 @ 10:00 a.m. for Last Names beginning F-Marzoratti
Saturday, November 11, 2017 @ 1:00 p.m. for Last Names beginning McCahill-Z

Changes: If you have changed your Confirmation time with the Religious Education Office, your child must attend the Mass and Practice (see below) for the Confirmation you are attending.   

Arrival Instructions: Candidates and their Sponsors are to be in the Lower Church Chapel one half hour before Confirmation begins to meet with Most Rev. Robert Reed, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston.  Punctuality is required of both the Candidates and their Sponsors. Candidates must arrive wearing their Confirmation Robe. 

Personal Presentation: All Candidates and Sponsors shall wear proper attire and footwear in reverence of the Holy Mass and Sacrament. No water, food or gum is to be brought. Phones will be powered off upon arrival and throughout the Mass.

Photography: Out of respect for the dignity and holiness of this Liturgy, no photography of any kind is allowed in the church.  Please respect the Parish's desire to celebrate this sacrament without any distraction and with everyone participating fully in prayer.  Please advise relatives and friends that no pictures or video are allowed during the Mass.  Bishop Reed will be available for pictures after the Liturgy. 
Confirmation Practice
A mandatory practice is scheduled for Confirmation Candidates and their Sponsors. The Candidates and Sponsors  must attend the correct Practice for their scheduled Confirmation date and time.  The practice will provide the Candidates and Sponsors with their individual seat assignment, with an understanding of what is required of them during the Mass and administering of the Sacrament, and provide a walk-through of the processional from the Lower Church to the Upper Church where the Mass will be held 

If the Sponsor is unable to attend this practice (due to distance or availability), a Parent may fill in for them.

Date: Monday, November 6, 2017
Where: Lower Church Chapel
Times (based on Scheduled Confirmation above):

For Mass on November 10, 2017 @ 6:00 p.m.: Practice scheduled for 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
For Mass on November 11, 2017 @ 10:00 a.m.: Practice scheduled for 6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
For Mass on November 11, 2017 @ 1:00 p.m.: Practice scheduled for 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Due to the size, seating and logistics of the Sacrament of Confirmation,  each Candidate and their Sponsor must attend the correct practice session for their scheduled Confirmation date and time . 
Do not show up at any other time as you will not be accommodated for.
Sign-Up for Confirmation Gift Bearers and Reader
The celebration of Mass for the Sacrament of Confirmation includes the Readings from Scripture and Presentation of the Gifts. You are invited to have your child take part in this special opportunity to be one of the three Readers OR one of the four required Gift Bearers (2 girls and 2 boys) for their scheduled Confirmation. If your child is interested, please select from one of the below Sign-Up links below. Please act quickly as there is a limit per Mass and opportunities will be provided on a first come basis.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Confirmation Candidate should receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before they make their Confirmation. Make this incredible gift of reconciliation and penance a special part of cleansing your heart and soul as you prepare for receiving the Holy Spirit.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is held every Saturday from 3:00 - 3:45 p.m., at St. Mary's, l ocated in the Upper Church at the confessional on the left-hand side as you walk down from the main church door. If you haven't done so, please set aside this time on Saturday, November 4. 
Important Confirmation Reminders

Confirmation Robes:  All Candidates will be wearing red robes for Confirmation.  The robes have arrived and been distributed. If you have yet to pickup your child's robe, please contact the Religious Education Office (508-528-1450) during the week to arrange a time.  

Requirements. The following requirements are required in order to satisfy the prerequisites for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Sponsor and Confirmation Name Selection: If you have yet to submit your Sponsor and Confirmation Name Selection Form, please submit it to the Confirmation Director at confirmation.director@stmarysfranklin.org.  The form can be found here.  

Works of Mercy and Service Log : If you have yet to submit your child's Work of Mercy Log, please submit it to the Confirmation Director at confirmation.director@stmarysfranklin.org.  The form can be found  here .
Thank You!!
Thank you Parents and Confirmation Candidates for a very successful year in our new Confirmation Preparation Program "Decision Point". We continue to pray for  you during your preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. You have received an incredible gift in this program and the "Decision Point" Workbook. Read it often during your moments of prayer and reflection in your silent classroom. It will help you to spiritually and consciously search for "the best way to live". We pray that God's grace and mercy are always with you in this life and into life eternal.

It has been such a gift and blessing to see your child grow-up physically and spiritually before our very eyes over these past 10 years. Thank you for your trust and support of our parish priests, our Religious Education staff, and all of the wonderful teachers that help us each year to deliver the teachings of Jesus Christ and our Catholic Faith to them. We will be honored to be a part of their special day in the Church and with the Holy Spirit as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.   
 
God Bless your Confirmation Candidate and entire family,