The following are resources offered to parents whose children are preparing for First Reconciliation.
Materials from the Parent Meeting
held on January 14, 2014
- Welcome and Icebreaker: variety of parent discussion questions in English and Spanish
- Opening Prayer
- Leader: Lord, you are our light and our hope.
- All: Grant us your peace and your salvation.
- Parents: God our Father, we thank you for the love you have shown us. You are the source of our strength.
- Teachers: Christ our Light, we thank you for inspiring us to serve others. You show us the way to the Father.
- Leader: Spirit of love, we thank you for your unending mercy. You are the voice calling us to return to the Lord.
- All: We dedicate ourselves to the Lord’s work in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
- Four Pillars for the Religious Education of Children
- Instruction - "classroom time," learning the basics systematically from a teacher/catechist/parent
- Formation/Integration - application and experience of what has been learned: prayer, witness talks, retreats, Christian service, etc.
- Parental Involvement - parent formation, family discussions at home
- Ecclesial Connection - connection to church community, attendance at Sunday Mass, involvement in ministries and events
- Msgr. Jim Kaczorowski's reflection on Reconciliation
- Handouts for extending class lessons at home (resources from Loyola Press)
- Reconciliation flyer with information about dress code, arrival time, and potluck reception for 11:30 a.m. prayer service on Saturday, January 25
- Calendar of Upcoming Events for First Reconciliation & First Communion 2014 (corrected from version distributed at meeting)
- Closing Prayer
- As a parent, help me to give my children the best of everything – not of trappings or toys, but of myself, cherishing them on good days and bad, both theirs and mine.
- Teach me to accept them for who they are, not for what they do; to listen to what they say, if only so they will listen to me; to encourage their goals, not mine; and please let me laugh and be silly.
- Let me give them a home where respect is the cornerstone, integrity the foundation, and there is enough happiness to raise the roof.
- May I give them the courage to be true to themselves; the independence to take care of themselves and faith to believe in a power much greater than their own.
- Help me see that their responsibilities are real but not burdensome, that my expectations are high but not overwhelming, and that my thanks and praise are thoughtful and given when due.
- Above all let them know they have limitless love, no matter what they do. Amen.
Articles
Videos for Parents
Sacraments 101: Penance (why we confess) from BustedHalo
An overview of what Reconciliation is about and why it's important.
(Source: http://youtu.be/Wz5-vu6A58E)
Confession 101 - What is it & how it's done - part one from BustedHalo
What adults need to know and do before going to confession, especially if it's been a long time.
(Source: http://youtu.be/RjVck3euhWY)
Confession 101 - What is it & how it's done - part two from BustedHalo
A step-by-step guide to what to do in confession, covering the four steps of Confession, Penance, Contrition and Absolution. Please note that at First Reconciliation, we will already have prayed the Act of Contrition together, so a spontaneous expression of your own personal contrition would be most appropriate during step 3.
(Source: http://youtu.be/oJg29UG6028)
Prayers and Reflections