ALL: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Dear God, We thank you for sending Jesus to be our friend and teacher. We haven’t always done what was right, or listened to our parents or teachers. We want to do better. We want to do what Jesus would do. We want to know that you forgive us and help us to try and do better. Amen

Mark 1: 1-8

Examination of Conscience ●Did I take time to get to know God more personally though prayer? ● Do I take time to pray with and for other people in my family?

●Did I show my parents that I love and respect them? ● Did I do anything to hurt my brothers or sisters, or my parents? Examination of Conscience

●Did I hurt or disrespect anyone else, maybe a friend, or a classmate? Did I ask them for forgivenss? ● Did someone hurt or disrespect me? Did I forgive them? Examination of Conscience

●Did I go be with God on Sunday at Mass? ● Did I try and help someone that was in need? Examination of Conscience

●Have I given up on others who care for me: my friends, my family, God, my teachers? ●Have I given up on myself? Examination of Conscience

●How might I be called to change some of the things that I have done? To make it better? ●What can I do to make some things right? Examination of Conscience

ALL: Dear God I’m sorry for the times that I hurt others I’m sorry for the times that I did now forgive others I’m sorry for not loving as I should. Help me to do better. Help me have a heart that is open to your Son Jesus who will be born inside my heart again this year at Christmas

What to do when you go to visit the priest 1.You and the priest will share a friendly greeting. 2.You say, “Bless me Father, for I have sinned.” Then share how long it has been since you last been to Reconciliation 3.Tell the priest the things for which you are seeking God’s forgiveness. What are your sins? (think of the examination of conscience we just did) 4.Listen to what the priest has to say in return. 5.Say the Act of Contrition 6.To make things right, go and do what the priest suggests as your penance.

ACT OF CONTRITION GENTLE GOD, THANK YOU FOR LOVING ME. I AM SORRY FOR ALL MY SINS; FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE, AND FOR WHAT I HAVE FAILED TO DO. I WILL REALLY TRY TO DO BETTER HELP ME TO WALK IN YOUR LIGHT. Amen. The priest will have a copy of this at the Table when you go to meet with him.

If there is no cross in the manger, there is no Christmas. If the Babe doesn’t become the Adult, there is no Bethlehem star. If there is no commitment in us, there are no wise men searching. If we offer no cup of cold water, there is no gold, no frankincense, no myrrh. If there is no praising God’s name, there are no angels singing. If there is no spirit of alleluia, there are no shepherds watching. If there is no standing up, no speaking out, no risk, there is no Herod, no flight into Egypt. If there is no room in our inn, then “Merry Christmas” mocks the Christ Child, and the Holy Family is just a holiday card, and God will loathe our feasts and festivals. For if there is no reconciliation, we cannot call Christ “Prince of Peace”. If there is no goodwill towards others, it can all be packed away in boxes for another year. If there is no forgiveness in us, there is no cause for celebration. If we cannot go even now unto Golgotha, there is no Christmas in us. If Christmas is not now, if Christ is not born into the everyday present, then what is all the noise about? The Cross in the Manger by Ann Weems

Closing Prayer Dear Jesus, Thank you for being my friend. And thank you for helping me make right the things that I have done wrong. Help me to try better so I will choose to do good for others and for you. I look forward to Christmas, when I celebrate your birth in our world and in my heart Bless us in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen