Families,
After examination of the church calendar and consultation with Fr. Andrew and a couple of the families, Fr. Andrew and I have decided on the dates for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion.
1st Reconciliation will be Saturday, January 22nd after the 8:30am Mass before attending your Catechesis of the Good Shepherd class. Make sure your child has learned the Act of Contrition!
1st Communion will be May 15th at the 11am Mass.
5 Ways to Prepare your Child for 1st Reconciliation (from Catholicmom.com)
It's the time of year when many young children are preparing to soon receive their first Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a beautiful Sacrament, instituted by Christ as a way to offer us His Mercy and Grace. It is a very special time for our children and as parents, it's our primary responsibility to help prepare them for this soul-redeeming Sacrament. Here are five simple ways you can help your child prepare for their first reconciliation.
1. Talk about the Sacrament of Reconciliation Together
Before your child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it's important they understand what it is and why we do it. Spend time talking with your child about this great healing Sacrament.
Read together with your child about when Jesus instituted the Sacrament and gave his apostles the authority to forgive sins in His Name in the Gospel of John 20:19-23. The Healing of a Paralytic in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2:1-12, is also a good example of Jesus's authority to forgive sins and an example of faith and trust in His healing power.
Explain to your children that going to Confession is not about getting into trouble; it's about asking God for forgiveness and receiving God's Grace to do better. Listen to your child's questions and encourage them to learn more by asking more questions.
2. Examination of Conscience
Teach your child how to pray an Examination of Conscience each night before bed, or as often as time allows. Some families do this together as a family before bed, silently reflecting on their days while mom or dad read the Examination out loud.
There are many great examinations around. Try and find one that your child will understand. The USCCB offers an Examination of Conscience for Children
1. Talk about the Sacrament of Reconciliation Together
Before your child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it's important they understand what it is and why we do it. Spend time talking with your child about this great healing Sacrament.
Read together with your child about when Jesus instituted the Sacrament and gave his apostles the authority to forgive sins in His Name in the Gospel of John 20:19-23. The Healing of a Paralytic in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2:1-12, is also a good example of Jesus's authority to forgive sins and an example of faith and trust in His healing power.
Explain to your children that going to Confession is not about getting into trouble; it's about asking God for forgiveness and receiving God's Grace to do better. Listen to your child's questions and encourage them to learn more by asking more questions.
2. Examination of Conscience
Teach your child how to pray an Examination of Conscience each night before bed, or as often as time allows. Some families do this together as a family before bed, silently reflecting on their days while mom or dad read the Examination out loud.
There are many great examinations around. Try and find one that your child will understand. The USCCB offers an Examination of Conscience for Children
https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/penance/sacrament-reconciliation-children-examination-conscience
3. Practice
Practice, practice, practice! Like with any sport, musical instrument, or other skill -- continuous practice is essential. The same is true for preparation for all the Sacraments.
As your child's first reconciliation approaches, take time to role play with them what they will do in their real confessions. Except, you can tell them they don't have to really tell you their sins -- unless of course they really want to. Maybe you'll finally find out who really took that item you've been searching everywhere for.
4. Go to Confession as a Family
Aside from practicing how to go to confession with your child, practice actually going to confession as a family. As parents, we are the first educators for our children when it comes to our Faith. However, the best way to really teach our children about the Faith is to practice it by living it out in our every day life. Showing your child that you can take the time to go to confession makes a deeper and longer-lasting impression than all the hours you might spend talking or reading about it with them.
Maybe even make it a family tradition, say on the first Saturday of each month or another day that works for your family. If you cannot make it during the time of regularly scheduled confessions in your parish, try a different parish nearby or ask your pastor if you can schedule a regular family confession time. Add a little fun incentive and go out for ice cream or grab some pizza afterwards and make it a family date night.
5. Pray Together
Aside from all the talking, reading, and practicing, the most essential step in preparing your child - and yourself - for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is prayer. Through prayer, we join in an intimate conversation with God. We ask Him to open our hearts to Him, show Him our weaknesses, and ask for His infinitely merciful forgiveness. Pray with and for your child, asking God to prepare him or her for this great Sacrament.
Together, you can pray the Act of Contrition with your child and also the Prayer to Your Guardian Angel to help them make good choices and be ready to receive God's mercy.
3. Practice
Practice, practice, practice! Like with any sport, musical instrument, or other skill -- continuous practice is essential. The same is true for preparation for all the Sacraments.
As your child's first reconciliation approaches, take time to role play with them what they will do in their real confessions. Except, you can tell them they don't have to really tell you their sins -- unless of course they really want to. Maybe you'll finally find out who really took that item you've been searching everywhere for.
4. Go to Confession as a Family
Aside from practicing how to go to confession with your child, practice actually going to confession as a family. As parents, we are the first educators for our children when it comes to our Faith. However, the best way to really teach our children about the Faith is to practice it by living it out in our every day life. Showing your child that you can take the time to go to confession makes a deeper and longer-lasting impression than all the hours you might spend talking or reading about it with them.
Maybe even make it a family tradition, say on the first Saturday of each month or another day that works for your family. If you cannot make it during the time of regularly scheduled confessions in your parish, try a different parish nearby or ask your pastor if you can schedule a regular family confession time. Add a little fun incentive and go out for ice cream or grab some pizza afterwards and make it a family date night.
5. Pray Together
Aside from all the talking, reading, and practicing, the most essential step in preparing your child - and yourself - for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is prayer. Through prayer, we join in an intimate conversation with God. We ask Him to open our hearts to Him, show Him our weaknesses, and ask for His infinitely merciful forgiveness. Pray with and for your child, asking God to prepare him or her for this great Sacrament.
Together, you can pray the Act of Contrition with your child and also the Prayer to Your Guardian Angel to help them make good choices and be ready to receive God's mercy.
https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/01/19/5-ways-to-prepare-your-child-for-first-reconciliation
Another great article: 5 Ways to Make Your Kids "LOVE" Confession
Act of Contrition (traditional)
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.
Act of Contrition (alternate form)
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God's love commits me here,
Ever this day, be at my side,
To light and guard, Rule and guide.
To whom God's love commits me here,
Ever this day, be at my side,
To light and guard, Rule and guide.
Amen.