First Reconciliation Overview

Amanda Spriegel-Director of Liturgy

Sacrament of First Reconciliation

2nd Grade,

Saturday, February 9, 2008

9:00 a.m. in the New Church

Parent Meeting: Tuesday, November 6, 2007

7:00 p.m. in the Old Church

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

The sacrament of Reconciliation is a good way to take a closer look at your life and make a fresh start, at least once a year. Traditionally, and canonically, Catholics are expected to confess at least once a year before the celebration of Easter (Easter Duty). Many parishes offer communal Reconciliation Services during Advent and Lent. ‘Communal; means that there is a ‘group prayer service’ that precedes the individual confessions with a priest. St. Patrick’s offers these services at Advent and Lent. There are also services offered at other parishes within our area. Anyone is free to seek Reconciliation at any Roman Catholic Parish or Institution with a priest.

Reconciliation is available on Saturday afternoons from 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. in the New Church, every week. It is also available by calling the Rectory at 847.244.4161 and making an appointment with Fr. Pat or Fr. Ron. These two opportunities do not have a group prayer service as a part of receiving the Sacrament.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church spells out information concerning Sacraments of Healing, specifically the Sacrament of Reconciliation in paragraphs 1420 – 1498,

The Catholic Faith Handbook for youth covers the Sacraments of Healing from pages 183 – 192. These handbooks are available for purchase from the School of Religious Education, here at St. Patrick’s, for $17. We suggest that having a copy of this handbook in your home is a great way to be able to learn as your child is learning.

Before receiving the sacrament, it is helpful to spend some time in reflection about the time since your last confession. This is called an Examination of Conscience. This is a time where you ask God for help in remembering your sins, specific actions, and general patterns of behavior. Reflection on how these things have impacted your relationships at home and work; and how they have impacted your relationship with God is just as valuable as the actual confession. As Catholics we believe that a life that is examined and lived with grace-filled purpose is what we are called to do.

This page is largely taken from the Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth

The Day of First Reconciliation

for St. Patrick School

The service will take place on Saturday, February 9, 2008 and will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the New Church. As seats are assigned, families do not need to arrive any earlier than 8:45 a.m. Please be in your seat by 8:55 a.m. We will begin promptly.
Each family will have an assigned pew.
Families are asked to keep young children in the pew with them at all times.
The communal service will last about 30 minutes and individual confessions an additional 30-60 minutes. Total time for First Reconciliation will be 60-90 minutes. If you are bringing young children, please bring books and games to occupy them.
Boys and Girls making First Reconciliation are asked to dress in ‘Sunday Best’

Girls: skirts to the knee or dress slacks, no sleeveless tops.
Boys: slacks with a nice shirt or sweater.

Taking photos during First Reconciliation is not usually done. Please respect the privacy of all and refrain from taking photos of confessors and those making confession. Taking photos after the sacrament in the Narthex or outside the church is encouraged.
Families are encouraged to participate in the Sacrament as a family. That means that everyone for whom the Sacrament is available, is encouraged to go to individual confession on this day.
Families are encouraged to gather in the Narthex, as a family, and give a small prayer of thanksgiving to God for the new way in which they are together after the Sacrament.
Families are encouraged to have lunch together to celebrate this Sacrament and their unity as family. Christ exercised his ministry often at the table. It was a place for teaching and sharing wisdom.

The practical things about participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation at any time

Go to the priest, also called a Confessor. Lines will be formed for the priests hearing confessions. Have a seat across from the priest. If you remember you can say the old formula of “Bless me Father, for I have sinned.” You will begin by making the sign of the cross. You do not have to tell him how long it has been since your last confession, but sometimes it helps to let them know that it’s been a long time. If you are nervous, let them know, they will help you through the process.
Confess your sins. This can be events or issues of life that have interrupted your relationships with family, co-workers, friends or God. The priest will probably discuss your sins briefly and provide some spiritual advice. If you have something that requires more depth than this event can provide, you are free to ask the priest if you could be in touch with him after the Service to make an appointment to talk in more depth. Remember that you have to make that appointment. A priest is not free to bring up your confession to you unless you initiate the discussion.
Receive a penance. The priest will talk to you about doing something as a sign of your desire to change. It may be saying some prayers or doing a loving act of kindness.
Tell God that you are sorry. You can use your own words or an act of contrition may be recited. You do not have to have memorized the Act of Contrition.
Receive Absolution. The priest proclaims the words of absolution and your sins are forgiven.
Conclude: The priest says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,” and you respond, “His mercy endures forever.” The priest will dismiss you, and you can respond, “Thank you” or “Amen.”
The most important thing: Relax. Even if you do not remember any part of the ‘formula’ for going to confession; you will still receive the sacrament. Priests are more than happy to walk you through the steps. They understand that you may be nervous and may have been away from the sacrament for many years. Your lack of experience should never keep you from Reconciliation. A kind and sincere heart with the desire to live a grace-filled life, in union with the love of God, is all that is required.

The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, St. Mary’s Press, Winona MN, www.smp.org

Act of Contrition

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.

(Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, page 250)

Order of Prayer Service for Communal Reconciliation

Opening Song
Greeting
Opening Prayer
First Reading
Psalm
Alleluia/Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Homily
Examination of Conscience
The Act of Contrition Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Sign of Peace
Blessing
Introduction of Confessors and information about Reconciliation
Individual Confessions

Examination of Conscience for adults

This is the Examination of Conscience that is used at the Advent/Lent Services

at St. Pat’s.

My relationship with God

Am I faithful to Daily Prayer?
Am I faithful to Mass?
Do I trust God’s loving care for me? How do I show this trust?
Do I make time to read Scripture; that may know and hear Jesus and the Father?
Am I angry with or afraid of God?

My relationship with those nearest to Me

Have I failed to respect any family member or friend?
Have I modeled reconciliation for my children?
Have I failed to accept anyone just as he or she is?
Have I been patient with another’s differences?
Have I been sensitive to another’s needs and weaknesses?

My Relationship with Everyone

Do I despise any group of people?
Do I discriminate against any group or individual because of race, religion, nationality, politics, age, profession, gender, or any other reason?
Do I consider any group or individual inferior to me?

My relationship with God’s other creatures

Have I spoiled any part of creation?
Have I abused animals?
Have I been wasteful?
Am I too fond of money?
Do I act as if everything is mine to do with as I like?
Am I open-handed and generous?
Do I drive responsibly and with consideration for others?
Do I make positive contributions to the community?

My relationship with myself

Do I feel angry often?
Do I expect everything and everyone to march to my beat?
Am I acting as though I were God?
Am I seeking to know God’s will so that I may consent and cooperate?
Am I unwilling or afraid to say “yes!” to God?
Do I cherish and care for my body as the gift of God?
Do I live by the pleasure principle, this is, “I want what I want when I want it”, in any area of my life?

Human Freedom

Am I the prisoner of fear, anxiety, worry, guilt, inferiority, or hatred of myself?
Do I hand over the past to God’s merciful love? Or do I allow it to trouble me still?
Do I plan prudently for future things that are within my choice and control and hand the rest over to our wise and loving God?
Do I fret with worry, anticipating what might happen?

A Prayer of Thanksgiving, for families to pray

post Sacrament

Dear Father,

Thank you for the gift of your love and forgiveness.

We are also grateful for the gift of each other.

Help us to try harder to respect and honor

All of your creation and creatures.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

Good Family Resources for prayer and study:

Daily Prayer 2008, Liturgy Training Publications, $12, www.ltp.org
The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Saint Mary's Press, $16.95, www.smp.org
God's Library: A Catholic Introduction to the World's Greatest Book, Joe Paprocki, Loyola Press, $13.95, www.loyolabooks.org