1st Reconciliation Services | St. Barbara Church
Wednesday, January 18, 2023 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Sample Video to Watch With Your Child
What is Reconciliation
Reconciliation offers grace and the remission of sin to whoever receives it, and at whatever age. However, each person's approach to Reconciliation is very different, depending on age, stage of life, and development as a person. In fact, people adapt Reconciliation to a particular milestone or stage of life rather than adapting themselves to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Important Dates:
| 9/29/2022 | Reconciliation/Communion Parent Meeting | 6PM | Via Zoom (pick one) |
| 10/08/2022 | Reconciliation/Communion Parent Meeting | 10AM | Via Zoom (pick one) |
| 12/31/2022 | Baptism Verification Form Due |
| 1/18/2023 | First Reconciliation Services | 6:00 PM | Church |
The children and their parents will meet in the Church and will have a communal celebration. This will include a welcoming and a reading from the bible. We will do an Examination of Conscience and say the Act of Contrition as a group. The Communicants will then go to the priest for individual confession of their sins and receive absolution. After you child has received their First Reconciliation, each family member is encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation to be an example of their faith for their child. Each child will then receive their crucifix and certificate of Reconciliation. We will say a final prayer before dismissal.
Practice the Sacrament of Reconciliation with Your Child
- Explain to your child that Reconciliation is a Sacrament of healing in which our sins are forgiven and in which we are reconciled with God and the Church.
- Teach your child that God is a loving merciful Father who is waiting for us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Explain that Jesus granted the apostles and their successors (priests) the authority to forgive and retain sins.
- Teach your child how to make an examination of conscience and have them make it at the end of the day as part of their nightly prayers.
- Make sure your child learns and memorizes the Act of Contrition and that they understand Reconciliation as a way of preparing their soul to receive Jesus in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist.
- Emphasize that the priest will never tell anyone their sins.
The Act of Contrition
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 sufferance and died for us.
In His Name, my God, have mercy.
Amen.