In their First Reconciliation, Catholics experience God’s love and forgiveness. They acknowledge how their sins affect their relationships with God, their family and friends and their community. They say they are sorry and make a clear decision to avoid those sins in the future.
Children typically prepare for First Reconciliation during second grade after having received a year of religious education through a Catholic school or Parish School of Religion. Children wishing to receive First Reconciliation must be attending weekend Masses in our parish and St. Clare Catholic School or the Parish School of Religion, as well as participate in the First Reconciliation preparation program during the fall. A pre-approved home-school program is an option for those who cannot attend St. Clare School or Parish School of Religion.
Our parish celebrates First Reconciliation each year during Advent with a special communal Reconciliation service for the students and their families. The Sacrament of Reconciliation includes examining our conscience, the act of confessing sins and asking for forgiveness, receiving absolution and doing penance.
Our parish offers communal penance services in the seasons of Advent and Lent. Many elements in these services are similar to when you go to individual confession. The prayers are simply recited as a community rather than individually. Please remember to have the children go to individual confession on a regular basis (monthly or seasonally) to remember what they have learned about God’s love and forgiveness.
Outline of service
• Opening hymn and prayer
• Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings and psalm)
• Homily
• Act of Contrition – prayed together
• Individual confession – 6-8 priests available
• Family prayer – done on your own
What to expect
1. Everyone will gather in church, with no assigned seating, just like on a Sunday. The first part of the service is jut like the first half of Mass with readings and a homily.
2. We will then kneel and pray the Act of Contrition together. It is the version the children have learned and will be printed in the program.
3. When it is time for individual confessions, the priests will sit in various places around the church. You are to come into an aisle as a family and stand in a line for a priest. When a priest is available, go up one by one for confession. Remember that you have already said the Act of Contrition, so the only thing needed is to name your sins, for which the priest will assign a penance. You can decide if you want to go up before your child as a model or let your child go first. Older siblings also may go to confession at this time.
4. Feel free to give your child a hug or word of congratulations and encouragement. Spouses also may want to show a sign of reconciliation with each other at this time.
5. Select a candle from the table near the Pascal Candle, light it with your child and return to your seat.
6. Say a prayer of thanksgiving together as a family. You are then free to leave when ready.
7. Think of creative ways to celebrate the day in your home or elsewhere. Be sure to acknowledge your child’s special sacrament in meal prayers and nighttime prayers throughout the week.