This page updated September 24, 2009
 

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I.  The Schedule - Fall 2009
 

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II.   Details about the
Celebration of First Reconciliation

Programme: We are using First Penance by Francine M. O'Connor for younger children and We Discover God's Path's by Francine & Jean Paul Berubé for older children. We have a few copies of First Penance in Spanish for those who require this. These are both excellent publications which use a family-centred approach to sacramental preparation and provide activities for the children in each lesson.

Liturgy: Children will make their first Reconciliation during a Liturgy of the Word usually on the first or second Wednesday in December (see schedule above). We will need people to participate in the liturgical ministries of preparation, proclamation (reading) and leading music. If anyone is interested, please let me know.

Communication: Christine Way Skinner, the catechist, can be reached at the Parish Centre by phone 905 898-4137 ext. 231 or by e-mail.

Cost: Sacraments are free - a gift of Christ and our right as baptised Christians. However, to provide preparation programmes, costs money and we would appreciate if you could cover this cost of your child's preparation by a donation to the church at the time of registration.

Registration: We presume that if you are bringing your child to this sacrament that they have already been baptised, therefore, we will not be asking for baptismal certificates. We do ask, however, that if you are not registered in the parish, that you please register now by clicking here.

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III.   Is Your Child Ready for the
Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Readiness for the sacrament of reconciliation is not linked solely to age or grade. The church judges that it is not until about the age of seven years that a child is likely to possess the moral reasoning ability to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation with adequate comprehension. However, each child matures differently and some need more time than others. You as a parent are the best person to judge your child's readiness. The following questions may provide some guidance in making this judgement.

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IV.  Suggestions for Preparing Your Child
 to Celebrate First Reconciliation

Here are some additional things you can do at home to enrich the preparation process:

1. Read stories from the bible about forgiveness and reconciliation to your child. Bedtime is a good time to do this. You may want to purchase a children's bible (available in virtually any good bookstore) or read adaptations of bible stories (such as the Arch series) so that the language is more accessible for the children. The following are some particularly good stories/passages:
    

   The Story of Zacchaeus:	Luke 19:1-10
   The Prodigal Son:	Luke 15:11-32
   The Lost Sheep:	Luke 15:3-7 or Matthew 18:10-16
   The Lost Coin:	Luke 15:8-10
   The Great Commandment:	Mark 12:28-31

2. Develop strategies for "discipline" in your family that reflect an understanding that people grow through love and not punishment. Praise good behaviour more than you condemn bad behaviour. Challenge your children to be the best they can be. Give your children vision.

3. Explain the reason "why" something is wrong rather than simply telling children not to do it. Talk about the consequences of unloving acts.

4. Tell family stories of sinfulness, forgiveness and reconciliation. While difficult to admit to or to tell, it is these more than any others that can instruct us in all the realities of sin and forgiveness and its effects.

5. Say "sorry" to your children. The best (and probably most difficult) way to teach children about conversion and reconciliation is to model it in our own families.

6. Do a family examination of conscience together. Ask questions like: How does our family show love to one another? What does our family do to make a difference in the world? How do we give God an important place in our family life?

7. Do some community service together. Talk about how we are all responsible for the healing and reconciling work of building the Kingdom of God.

8. The most important thing you can do to help your child understand and appreciate his or her call to reconciliation is to deepen your own appreciation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If you have not been able to participate in this sacrament, or if you have not even been closely involved in the Christian community, for whatever reason, this is the perfect opportunity to re-establish your connection and to renew your own faith commitment. There is a communal celebration of Reconciliation twice a year (during Advent and Lent) and the priests are available every Saturday morning at 9:30 am and by appointment.

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