September 26 & 27, Grades 3rd-8th will be attending a Reconciliation Service. The Lord IS PRESENT in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, working through His servant the priest. And we receive an actual gift of GRACE in this Sacrament when the priest extends his hand over our head. This is not just a symbol of forgiveness, Sacraments truly bring about, or "effect," what they represent. Jesus removes those sins from us so they may no longer burden our souls and distance us from Him. Help your child to know they will encounter Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation next week and that our Lord wants to show them that He loves them!
In this Sacrament, Jesus offers us the opportunity to repair any damage we have done to our relationship with Him by our sins. God never turns His back on us. When we sin, we shrink from Him, just as Adam and Eve did when they tried to hide from God out of shame. It is not God who needs our confessions; WE need to recognize our failings, admit them with a contrite heart, and receive HIS Grace and forgiveness. This is His gift so that we are able draw near again and accept God's love for us.
Steps of Reconciliation
1. Say and make the Sign of the Cross with the priest, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
2. “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been __ (how long) since my last confession.”
3. I confess my sins. I finish by saying, “I am sorry for these and for all of my sins.”
4. The priest gives me a penance to perform.
5. I receive absolution. The priest extends his hand over my head and says, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” I respond, “Amen.”
6. The priest dismisses me by saying, “Go in peace.” I respond, “Thanks be to God.”
7. I return to my pew, kneel, and pray any act of penance given to me.