St. Francis of Assisi Parish

The Diocese of Springfield has changed the time of Confirmation to 9th Grade.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish is rolling out this change over a two-year period.

2024 Confirmation will include students in 8th & 9th Grade

during the academic year of 2022-2023.

If you have a child in 7th-11th Grade, we encourage you to register for our Religious Education Program and ask that both students and parents attend an informational meeting on Friday, September 19, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Church.

For more information contact our Faith Formation Office at ReligiousEd.sfa@gmail.com.

Adults should contact the Parish Office at 413-323-6272 x1 for special arrangements.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is one of three “Sacraments of Initiation” - the others being Baptism and Eucharist. Confirmation perfects Baptismal grace. It is the sacrament which gives the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit - it roots us more deeply in the divine filiation which makes us cry “Abba! Father!”; it unites us more firmly to Christ, it increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit on us; it renders our bond with the Church more perfect; and it gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ, to confess the name of Christ boldly, and never to be ashamed of the Cross.

Preparation for Confirmation is aimed at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more, lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit – His actions, His gifts, and His biddings – in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life.

Like Baptism, Confirmation imprints a spiritual mark or indelible character on the Christian’s soul; for this reason, one can receive this sacrament only once in one’s life.

The essential rite of Confirmation is anointing the forehead of the baptized with sacred chrism, together with the laying on of the minister’s hand and the words: “Accipe signaculum doni Spiritus Sancti” (Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit). The connection to Baptism is expressed, among other ways, by the renewal of baptismal promises. The celebration of Confirmation during the Eucharist helps underline the unity of the sacraments of Christian initiation.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge,
Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness,
Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-control, and Chastity.

To read more Catechism of the Catholic Church (1285-1321)