Dear Confirmation Families,

I believe, first and foremost, introductions are in order. My name is Fr. Matthew Collins (Fr. Matt is fine) and I am the new Parochial Vicar assigned to Most Holy Trinity and Our Lady of Fatima Parishes. I was ordained on June 26, 2021 and I am the youngest Priest in the Archdiocese of Hartford. I was born and raised in Bristol, CT in a vibrant Irish-Catholic Family. I am a product of Catholic School from Middle School to High School. I went to St. Charles Borromeo Seminary for studies in Philosophy, and then I was assigned to attend Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg Maryland for Theological studies.

Fr. Mendoza has asked me to oversee the Faith Formation and Confirmation Process at both Parishes. I look forward to this opportunity. This year the Sacrament of Confirmation Process will be a combined effort with both Most Holy Trinity and Our Lady of Fatima Parishes. The Sacrament of Confirmation, being one of the three Sacraments of Initiation, is a part of our lifelong process- as men and women- learning and growing as Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ. It was in the Sacrament of Baptism where we received the Holy Spirit, but it is in Confirmation where we are “sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit” and strengthened for the service of the Body of Christ. Below, you will find information regarding the Confirmation Process for the 2021-2022 Year.

First, classes for the 2021-2022 Confirmation Process will be on Sundays and Wednesdays, meeting the 1^st and the 3^rd week of each month. This year we are going to have a ‘menu’ option, meaning that you may choose to sign-up for either Sunday classes OR Wednesday classes. The dates are as follows:

October: Sunday 10/3 & 10/17 OR Wednesday 10/6 & 10/20

November: Sunday 11/7 & 11/21 OR Wednesday 11/10 & 11/24

December: Sunday 12/5 & 12/19 OR Wednesday 12/8 & 12/22

January: Sunday 1/9 & 1/23 OR Wednesday 1/12 & 1/26

February: Sunday 2/6 & 2/20 OR Wednesday 2/9 & 2/23

March: Sunday 3/6 & 3/20 OR Wednesday 3/9 & 3/23

April: Sunday 4/3 & 4/24 OR Wednesday 4/6 & 4/27

May: Retreat TBD

June: Mass on Sunday June 5th which is Pentecost Sunday (location TBD

The Sunday Classes will be at 9:00-10:15am, and the Wednesday Classes will be at 7:00-8:15pm. The location for the classes is going to be on the campus of Our Lady of Fatima. We ask that each Parent and Confirmation class student sign up and commit to either Sunday or Wednesday.

All parents (Grade 1-8 and Confirmation) are asked to attend an information session the first week of classes. You may choose which night is most convenient.

Oct 17^th- 9:30am Oct 18^th- 6:00pm and 7:30pm

Oct 20^th- 7:30pm Oct 21^st- 6:00pm- in Spanish

I look forward to meeting with both the students of Faith Formation and Confirmation, as well as the Parents. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Office at 203-269-8791.

Please be assured of my prayers for you and your families.

In Christ,

Fr. Matthew Collins

Confirmation 2020