Today, I decided we should discuss Reconciliation. It is a plan of our group to introduce the children to the introductory sacraments because it is something they have experienced or because they will soon be receiving it. I had discussed Reconciliation with the children last year during Lent. This year I really didn’t have my act together, so we ended up doing it at the end of May.
Reconciliation can be a difficult topic, especially with younger children. I didn’t want the focus to be on guilt. However, we can’t avoid the fact that sometimes we do bad things.
I found this website with its concept of the 3 C’s to be very helpful:
http://www.slideshare.net/unyieyanjeong/sacrament-of-penance
Reconciliation can be a difficult topic, especially with younger children. I didn’t want the focus to be on guilt. However, we can’t avoid the fact that sometimes we do bad things.
I found this website with its concept of the 3 C’s to be very helpful:
http://www.slideshare.net/unyieyanjeong/sacrament-of-penance
To prepare, I printed out the Prodigal Son from this website:
http://distantshores.org/resources/illustrations/sweet-publishing/luke where you can find free Bible illustrations.
http://distantshores.org/resources/illustrations/sweet-publishing/luke where you can find free Bible illustrations.
I also prepared a colouring page. I found an appropriate image (“Priest Confessing a Teen” on this website: http://theclipartwizard.com/sacraments-coloring-pages.htm) and added a title, a reminder to remember the 3 C’s and a quote from Pope Francis:
“There is no sin that God cannot pardon. All we need to do is ask for forgiveness.”
I also attempted to define what the word “reconcile” meant and how that relates to Reconciliation. I don’t know if the kids really understood that, but they did enjoy the story and colouring page.
My only complaint is that it didn’t quite use up enough time, so I would suggest we add more to it, but we have a good base to start with at least.
“There is no sin that God cannot pardon. All we need to do is ask for forgiveness.”
I also attempted to define what the word “reconcile” meant and how that relates to Reconciliation. I don’t know if the kids really understood that, but they did enjoy the story and colouring page.
My only complaint is that it didn’t quite use up enough time, so I would suggest we add more to it, but we have a good base to start with at least.
The 3 C’s are: Conversion, Confession, Celebration in that order. To illustrate this, they refer to the parable of the prodigal son. The prodigal son leads a wild life, which eventually catches up to him. Destitute, he comes to a realization that he should return to his father’s house and ask for forgiveness (the Conversion). He comes home and Confesses to his father. The father is so delighted by the return of his son that they Celebrate. I really liked this approach to Reconciliation.