The Sacrament of Reconciliation Parent Meeting Sept. 29 and 30, 2014 Good Shepherd Church Margie Meyers Director of Faith Formation

Prayer & Personal Reflection Think of a time when you were aware of God’s presence in your life in the past week. (the past month? Year?) Think of a time when you were aware of God’s presence in your life in the past week. (the past month? Year?) Please be ready to briefly share this experience with a small group – so pick an experience that you can be comfortable talking about.

Introductions(in small groups) Introduce yourself to at least two people that you don’t know well. Who are you? Where are you from? Who is your son or daughter? Who are you? Where are you from? Who is your son or daughter? What’s the best thing about raising a 2 nd grader in 2013? What’s the best thing about raising a 2 nd grader in 2013? What do you remember learning about Sin and confession when you were a child? What do you remember learning about Sin and confession when you were a child?

Parent Meeting Outline Prayer/Reflection/Sharing Prayer/Reflection/Sharing Sacramental Theology Sacramental Theology A brief history of the Sacrament of Penance; Rite of Reconciliation A brief history of the Sacrament of Penance; Rite of Reconciliation An Adult Understanding: Reconciliation, Penance, Confession and Forgiveness An Adult Understanding: Reconciliation, Penance, Confession and Forgiveness The Role of the Family The Role of the Family Guide and Materials for Home Preparation for First Reconciliation Guide and Materials for Home Preparation for First Reconciliation Overview of Dates and Expectations Overview of Dates and Expectations Questions & Comments; Evaluation Questions & Comments; Evaluation

Q What is a Sacrament? Baltimore Catechism; No. 3, Lesson 13

Q What is a Sacrament? A. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. Baltimore Catechism; No. 3, Lesson 13

A sacrament is an ordinary experience that becomes extra-ordinary because God is present with us in a special way in that experience. The moment or experience becomes Sacred. A Sacrament affects what it signifies. A Sacrament opens our eyes, strengthens the bond, deepens our Relationship with God and is an experience of God’s Grace.

God - the Trinity JesusChurch The Seven Sacraments

What’s in a name? The Sacrament of Reconciliation or The Sacrament of Penance or The Sacrament of Confession or The Sacrament of Forgiveness The Sacrament of Conversion “The Sacrament of Penance” The Rite of Reconciliation”

Confession in History

To understand the Sacrament we must understand Sin.

To Understand the Sacrament we must understand God’s Mercy and Unconditional Love

1. What do you remember about your own First Confession? Without sharing too many details (i.e. sins) how was that experience for you? 2. How has your understanding of the Sacrament of Confession changed since then ? (short film)

The Role of the Family

“ The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church.”* It is a community of faith, hope, and charity; it assumes singular importance in the Church as is evident in the New Testament. CCC #2204 * Familiaris Consortio (1981)

Family as Icon of Trinity Family is called to be a community of faith, hope and love Family is called to be a community of faith, hope and love When a family becomes a community of love – it begins to become an image of the loving communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When a family becomes a community of love – it begins to become an image of the loving communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Learning forgiveness is an important key to a healthy communion – community of love. Learning forgiveness is an important key to a healthy communion – community of love.

Readiness Does your child know… The Difference between right and wrong? The Difference between right and wrong? The difference between an accidental mistake and a sin? The difference between an accidental mistake and a sin? That we sin when we deliberately choose to do wrong? That we sin when we deliberately choose to do wrong? That God is loving and merciful and will ALWAYS forgive us? That God is loving and merciful and will ALWAYS forgive us? That we must be willing to forgive others, just as God forgives us. That we must be willing to forgive others, just as God forgives us. That the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of God’s forgiveness and gives us grace to live as God’s children. That the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of God’s forgiveness and gives us grace to live as God’s children.

Moral Development As we develop, we grow in understanding of right and wrong. Very young, can not distinguish between accidental wrongs and sins. Children often distinguish right or wrong based on the severity of punishment.

Level 1 (Pre-Conventional) Level 1 (Pre-Conventional) 1. Obedience and punishment orientation 1. Obedience and punishment orientation (How can I avoid punishment?) (How can I avoid punishment?) 2. Self-interest orientation 2. Self-interest orientation (What's in it for me?) (What's in it for me?) Level 2 (Conventional) Level 2 (Conventional) 3. Interpersonal accord and conformity 3. Interpersonal accord and conformity (Social norms) (Social norms) (The good boy/good girl attitude) (The good boy/good girl attitude) 4. Authority and social-order maintaining orientation 4. Authority and social-order maintaining orientation (Law and order morality) (Law and order morality) Level 3 (Post-Conventional) Level 3 (Post-Conventional) 5. Social contract orientation 5. Social contract orientation 6. Universal ethical principles 6. Universal ethical principles (Principled conscience) (Principled conscience)

Sacramental Stoles – A Good Shepherd Tradition If your child was baptized here at Good Shepherd, you should already have a stole and you can begin to plan on adding symbols for Reconciliation in time for the Celebration in January. If your child was baptized here at Good Shepherd, you should already have a stole and you can begin to plan on adding symbols for Reconciliation in time for the Celebration in January. If your son or daughter was not baptized here, then please pick up the stoles before you leave this evening. If your son or daughter was not baptized here, then please pick up the stoles before you leave this evening. Handouts with instructions and some symbol suggestions are available in the handouts. Handouts with instructions and some symbol suggestions are available in the handouts.

Your Child’s Book 1. God’s Love 2. Loving God 3. Refusing to Love 4. Loving Choices 5. Returning to Love 6. Celebrating God’s Love 7. Showing Love 8. Living Reconciliation Catechism points, Prayers, Lyrics for songs

8 chapters – 9.5 weeks SuMTWThFSa OCT NOV 28 Ret DEC *5* DEC F.R. Retreat Saturday, Nov. 8 – 9:00 – Noon Group Celebration of Reconciliation Friday, December 5 7:00 p.m. Home Preparation, Prayer and Participation

SACRAMENTAL FEE $15 (Reconciliation) + $15 (Eucharist) = $30 Total Helps cover the cost of: Helps cover the cost of: Student Books (specifically for the Sacraments) Student Books (specifically for the Sacraments) Parent Guides Parent Guides Retreats Retreats Celebrations Celebrations Fee was included in the Faith Formation registration form so you probably already paid it if your child is registered for Parish Faith Formation (home based or group session) Fee was included in the Faith Formation registration form so you probably already paid it if your child is registered for Parish Faith Formation (home based or group session) As always… As always… Fee will be waived if the fee presents a burden to the family. A problem with any fee or cost should never prevent a family from participating in any program, event and will NEVER keep a family from the celebration of a Sacrament.

Dates to note – First Reconciliation Home Preparation, using book, begins now (or soon) Home Preparation, using book, begins now (or soon) Most of the Home Prep Should be completedmid- Nov. Most of the Home Prep Should be completedmid- Nov. First Reconciliation Retreat: First Reconciliation Retreat: Nov. 8 -9:00 – 12:00 p.m. Rehearsal: Dec. 2 (Tuesday) - 7pm Rehearsal: Dec. 2 (Tuesday) - 7pm Celebration of First Reconciliation: Celebration of First Reconciliation: Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:00 p.m. * Regular attendance at weekend liturgy and personal prayer are important, ongoing components of Sacramental preparation and all Faith Formation. * Regular attendance at weekend liturgy and personal prayer are important, ongoing components of Sacramental preparation and all Faith Formation.

First Reconciliation Retreat November 8 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Good Shepherd Parish Hall Parent Helpers Needed For Break Time: Parent Helpers Needed For Break Time: Last name begins with.. Please bring... Home BasedJuice (large bottle) Monday EveningGoGurt (8 pc box) Sunday a.m. A-MFruit (chunks, pieces) Sunday a.m. N-Z Mini Bagels or -muffins OLV Bagels or Mini-muffins

Dates to note: First Communion Parent Meeting: Parent Meeting: Tuesday, Jan 20 : 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 20 : 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. (Parish Hall) (Parish Hall) OR Monday, Jan. 26 : 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. OR Monday, Jan. 26 : 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Home Prep Home Prep (Late January through mid-April) (Late January through mid-April) First Communion Retreat: First Communion Retreat: March 28 (Saturday) – 9 – Noon p.m. March 28 (Saturday) – 9 – Noon p.m. First Communion Celebration: First Communion Celebration: For Everyone: April 25, Saturday, – 10 am For Everyone: April 25, Saturday, – 10 am Or Family-based/Parish Weekend Mass Option Or Family-based/Parish Weekend Mass Option

Comments?Questions? Please take a few moments to complete the evaluation survey. I take your input serious and it will affect meetings planned for the future. Call with questions! Sheperded.pbworks.com

Evaluation 1. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best) how helpful was this meeting? 2. What was most helpful for you in this session? 3. What would make the session better? What would you change?