Reconciliation Parent/Child Session - St. Anthony of Padua Catholic ...

Reconciliation Parent/Child Session
Makeup for missed sessions held Tues Oct 11, Wed Oct 12, 1-1/2 hours
1. Read this Bible Passage with your child: Luke 15:11-32, The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Discuss how even though the son left and squandered all of his inheritance, the father was so overjoyed at his
return that he welcomed him with open arms. This is how much our God, our Father, loves us.
Through baptism we became members of God’s family. How many of you remember your baptism or have been
to your little brother, sister, cousin, etc Baptism? God loves us SO much that he wants us to be close to Him and
free from the things that keep us from Him.
2. Discuss a memory of your child’s baptism with him/her.
3. What is sin?
Original Sin is the sin we are born with, given to us by the sin of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden when they
disobeyed God. On the day you were baptized you became free of Original Sin.
Mortal Sin is a grave sin, which is committed with full knowledge and deliberately. Example: breaking or
disobeying the 10 Commandments. Ask the children if they can give you some examples of Mortal Sin.
Venial Sin is a less serious sin. When we commit a venial sin we are not practicing kindness to others. Example:
Saying something untrue about another person, or not sharing, or not playing nicely with another child. Ask the
children to give you some examples of venial sin.
Sin is NOT a mistake (make sure they understand the difference between a sin and doing something wrong
accidentally. Let your child discuss and ask questions. – see attached worksheet that can be discussed)
You can be freed from Venial and Mortal Sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Rock Analogy – Have your child hold a large and small rock in his/her hands. Make sure your child keeps his/her
arms straight out and level. Tell them to hold it there and don’t lower their arm. Explain that the rock
symbolizes SIN. Tell your child we all are human and we sometimes make bad choices. We all have sins on our
souls. We carry sin around and it is a heavy burden that we carry. The longer we carry our sin around with us
the heavier it gets. Ask your child if it feels like the rocks are getting heavier the longer he/she holds them. In
the Sacrament of Reconciliation we confess our sins to a priest. We tell God we are sorry. We promise to try
not to sin again. We try to make up for our sins. (Tell your child to lower his/her arms and put the rock down)
Ask is he/she feel relieved and happy to not have to hold that weight. That is the happiness and relief you will
feel when you receive God’s forgiveness. It is such a wonderful feeling!
4. Discuss with your child ways he/she can show forgiveness. How does it feel when you are forgiven?
5. Examination of Conscience for Children (Read this to your child)
"He that has My Commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves Me." John 14:21
To examine means to look into, to seek after and to hunt for. For example, a boy was putting
together a puzzle. When he had put all of the pieces together, he found that he was missing one
piece. He thought perhaps it had fallen on the floor. He looked under the table. He looked in the
garbage can. He examined every inch of the carpet. He looked behind, around, and under the

couch. He looked and looked until he finally found that puzzle piece.
In the same way, you must look or examine your conscience. You must hunt for your sins and
find hidden faults. But how do you begin? You should always pray to the Holy Spirit and ask His
help. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know your sins. Ask for His light. If you were to drop a
quarter on the floor in your bedroom at night, it would take you a long time to find that quarter if
you never turned on your bedroom light. But as soon as you switch on your light, you quickly find
your quarter. This is what the Holy Spirit will do in our conscience if we ask for His help. He will
turn on the light so that sins may be found or remembered. But this is not all we must ask of the
Holy Spirit. We must also ask Him to help us be truly sorry for our sins and to help us not commit
them ever again. You must pray with all your heart and ask this; and then the Holy Spirit, the
Spirit of Love and Understanding, will most certainly help you. You cannot make a good
Confession without the help of the Holy Spirit.
Read the Examination of Conscience based on 10 Commandments with your child – attached
6. Walk-Through of Sacrament –Use the Reconciliation Guide (attached) and practice your child’s First
Reconciliation. It would be good to have any siblings who have already completed their First Reconciliation
participate and practice, too.
7. Visit the Church and kneel before the Tabernacle with your child. Spend some silent time in prayer.
8. Reminder about next session: The Parent/Child Retreat (attend either session):
Sunday, Oct 30, 1-4pm – Last Name A-M, meet in the GYM or
Saturday, Nov 5, 1-4pm – Last Name N-Z, meet in the Church
9. Answer the questions on the following page and return to the Faith Formation office at St Anthony of
Padua Catholic Church no later than November 3, 2011 to receive attendance for this session.

Reconciliation Parent/Child Session
Makeup for missed sessions held Tues Oct 11, Wed Oct 12, 1-1/2 hours
***Answer the questions on this page and return to the Faith Formation office at St Anthony of Padua
Catholic Church no later than November 3, 2011 to receive attendance for this session***
Child Name: _______________________________ Parent Name:__________________________________
Phone: ________________________ Parent Email:___________________________________
Parent
Initials
Child
Initials
Activity Completed
Read Luke 15:11-32, Parable of the Prodigal Son
Baptism Memory Discussion with child
What is Sin / Rock Analogy
Forgiveness Discussion with child
Examination of Conscience
Walk-Through of Sacrament
Visit Tabernacle / Prayer Time with child
Mark Calendar for Parent / Child Retreat
Four Questions below answered by the child
To the Child preparing for First Reconciliation: Please answer the following question in your own words:
1. What is sin?
2. What do you ask for and receive during Reconciliation?
3. Write a prayer to God asking Him to help you to live as a Christian example to others.
4. On the back of this paper, write the Act of Contrition
Office Use: Date Rec’d:__________ Rec’d by:______

An Examination of Conscience for Children Using the 10 Commandments
1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me.
Have I wanted more things, making things or money more important than God?
Have I made an idol of sports or entertainment figures?
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
Do I use God’s name carelessly?
Do I use God’s name in anger?
3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
Did I attend Mass on Sunday?
Did my behavior make it difficult or impossible for my parents to get to church on time?
Have I remembered to pray daily?
4. Honor your father and your mother.
Do I obey my parents?
Have I done my chores without complaining?
Do I do my chores without being reminded?
Have I been disrespectful to teachers, coaches or others in authority?
5. You shall not kill.
Do I keep my patience or do I lose my temper?
Do I hold grudges and try to get even with others?
Have I been unfair to others, especially those who are different than I am?
6. You shall not commit adultery.
Do I show respect for my body?
Do I respect the bodies of others?
Do I avoid harmful things like drugs, tobacco and alcohol?
7. You shall not steal.
Have I taken something that belongs to someone else?
Have I “forgotten” to return something that I borrowed?
Have I used money responsibly?
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Do I play fairly or do I ever cheat at school or games?
Have I been honest or have I lied?
Have I hurt someone by what I have said or done?
Have I copied someone else’s homework?
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
Have I been jealous of the friends that someone else has?
Have I tried to be kind to others?
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
Have I been jealous of the things that my friends have?
Have I nagged my parents into buying things because my friends have them?
Have I helped others when they needed help?

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Examine your conscience and review the 10 commandments. Then get in a line to enter the
Reconciliation Room.
In the Reconciliation Room you will see two chairs and a screen with a kneeler. Close the door and have a
seat either facing Father or kneeling behind the screen. It is your choice which way is more comfortable.
(If you participate in the Group First Reconciliation Service, there will be 3 chairs at each station
throughout the church. One chair will be facing Father and the other chair will be behind his chair.)
GREETING
Father may greet you and say, "Peace be with you."
Your response is: "And also with you."
Next, make the sign of the cross together:
"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Father will say: "May God who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in
His Mercy."
Your response is: "Amen."
READING THE WORD OF GOD
The priest may read a story of God’s love and forgiveness from the Bible.
CONFESSION OF SINS & ACCEPTANCE OF A PENANCE
You will say: "Bless me Father, for I have sinned. This is my First Confession ...
These are my sins:"
(Later, instead of saying “This is my First Confession,” you will say “It’s been [a week, a month, or
whatever] since my last confession.”)
Making a confession is simply telling Father what sins you have committed. After you have mentioned all
the sins you can recall, Father may talk to you a little bit and give you some advice. Then he will ask you
to do a "PENANCE". Your penance may be to say Prayers, or do a kind deed. Listen carefully to what
Father asks you to do for a penance and be sure to do it as soon as possible.
After this, Father will then say, "Now make a good act of contrition."
It is acceptable to express your sorrow and remorse for your sins in your own words, however, most
people use the ACT OF CONTRITION. You may carry a copy of these instructions and read the Act of
Contrition, which follows:
"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. Amen.

ABSOLUTION
Right after your Act of Contrition, Father will give his sacramental "ABSOLUTION" which means
forgiveness. Your sins will be forgiven. Father will extend his hands and say:
"God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son, has reconciled
the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through
the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from
your sins, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Your response is, "Amen."
PRAISE OF GOD AND DISMISSAL
Father continues: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good."
You respond, "His mercy endures forever."
Father may say, "Go in peace, and proclaim to the world the wonderful works of God who has
brought you salvation."
You may say, "Thanks be to God." or
"Thank you, Father."
When you leave, be sure to leave the door open for the next person (if you have used the Reconciliation
Room).
PENANCE
Be sure to do the penance Father has given you as soon as possible