1. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Introduction
to the
Sacrament of Reconciliation
for Parents/Carers
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

2. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
There are 9 Home Sessions
for Parents/Carers:
Your child will be learning about the family of the Church in Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
It would be helpful if you made a visit with your child to a Church and perhaps lit a candle and said a prayer together. The Our Father is a particularly good prayer as your child will be learning about forgiving others as well as accepting the forgiveness of God. Saying a night time prayer together is a good way of sharing this special time with your child.
Your child will also be finding out how priests in the Parish continue the healing and forgiving action of Jesus through the Sacraments of Healing: that is – The Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of the Sick.
You are the first educators of your children…
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

3. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
In Home Sessions 1-5 children are
helped to recognise that they are created
in love by God
and that they are full of goodness, as they
are made in the image and likeness of God.
Your child is learning that they are loved by God and that they are created in His Image. Through listening to Scripture they learn that God’s love and care for them will never come to an end.
God has given them a gift of choice as a sign of His love. This is called ‘free will’. You may well have experienced them ‘playing with free will’.! This is a natural part of growing up.
Through preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, your child will gradually realise that when we are kind, merciful, and compassionate we become more like Jesus.
We Pray to God to help us to make good choices.
Jesus and others forgive and your child is called to be forgiving – even when this is difficult.
How can you help your child to be forgiving with friends and family, and in their school relationships?
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

4. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 1:
Made in the image and likeness of God…
Over the coming weeks and months it will be helpful to your child if you’ notice ‘ when they are kind, helpful and forgiving.
Of course, it is important that you menion this and praise your child for this, especially if it takes a little bit of an effort.
It was you who created my inmost self, and put me together
in my mother’s womb, for all these mysteries,I thank you:
for the wonder of myself, for the wonder of your works Psalm 139
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

5. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 2:
Called by name…
Your child will be revisiting their Baptism which marked the beginning of their Faith journey. Perhaps you have photographs or even memories of this occasion. Ask other family members to talk to your child about their Baptismal Day when they were ‘Called by name’.
“Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you,
I have called you by your name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

6. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 3:
Friendship with God and one another.
Much of your time will be taken up with organising your child’s social life and at this stage of their development, friendship are very important to them. Positive experiences of friendship helps them to understand the call to friendship with Jesus.
Friendships can often demand patience and effort!
“A faithful friend is a sure shelter, whoever has found one
has found a rare treasure.” Ecclesiasticus 6:14
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

7. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 4:
Be humble like a little child…
As we listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew’s Gospel it is not just the fact of ‘being young’ that wins us a place in the Kingdom of Heaven.
It is an attitude of openness and trust that matters in relationship with God.
“Whoever becomes like a little child
is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
- Matthew 18:4
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

8. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 5:
Listening to God’s voice…
Your child will have lots of opportunities to listen to the Word of God in school. Make time to sit down together at home for sessions in the Parents’ workbook and enjoy beginning each session with a little bit of scripture and ending with a prayer. If you have a candle, light this at the beginning of each session to mark out this special time.
“The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,
I know them and they follow me.”
- John: 10:27
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

9. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
In Home Sessions 6,7 and 8 children are
helped to understand that whilst they
are full of goodness,
But, at times, because of the way they behave,
they do not show their goodness to others.
It is important both at home and in school that children are helped to see that they make mistakes in their relationships and ‘sin’.
With loving support, they can recognise the times when they have ‘fallen short’ of being their best selves and with God’s grace and the understanding of their family and friends, they can learn to try again o be their best selves.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

10. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
To help them think about and judge their behaviour,
the children hear the story of Zacchaeus.
( Luke’s Gospel Chapter 19 v 1-10)
Discuss the story with your child and encourage them to talk about the feelings of Zacchaeus ( before and after meeting Jesus) and the kindness and welcome of Jesus. The notes in the workbook will guide you through this.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

11. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 6:
God’s forgiveness…
Remember to include the prayer session with your child.
“Today God’s saving love has come to this house.”
- Luke:19:9
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

12. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 7:
Be friends with one another and kind.
“Never have grudges against one another,
or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anybody,
or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness.
Be friends with one another and kind, forgiving each other as readily
as God forgave you in Christ”
- Ephesians:4:32
Talk often with your child about their friendships and the call to friendship with God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

13. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 8:
Living a good life…
These sessions should give your child a sense of hope and gratitude for the good things in their lives. Rejoice with them.
“We are God’s work of art, created in Jesus Christ to live the good life
from the beginning as he has meant us to live it. ”
- Ephesians 2:10
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

14. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Home Session 9:
Your Child is almost ready to receive
the Sacrament of Reconciliation
for the first time.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a lifelong way of receiving God’s grace. As we get older and our responsibilities and worries increase, it is useful to have established a habit of reflecting on relationships and life choices and regularly handing our troubles to the Lord, knowing he will guide and support us in our choices.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

15. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
During this period of sacramental preparation
the children have learned:
God loves them so much that He wants them
to become as good as they can be.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is Good News!
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

16. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
During this period of sacramental preparation
the children have learned:
When we say sorry, God always forgives.
Children will learn to forgive others and be secure in the knowledge that they are loved and forgiven by God.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

17. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
When your child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation
for the first time, they will tell God that they are sorry fo the times when they have not shown their goodness,
and they will celebrate the love and forgiveness of God.
Make this day a family celebration – perhaps arranging a special meal or treat with your child.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

18. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, God’s love is like
Mum’s or Dad’s arms wrapped gently around them.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

19. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
In this last session you are invited to play a game
with your child.
Other family member could also join in.
This game can be a useful way of exploring the themes of forgiveness with your child.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow

20. For use at Parental meeting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Thank you for accompanying your child on this important part of their Faith Journey.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is ,after Baptism, the second sacrament on your Child’s Faith journey – but one that will bring them lifelong comfort and peace.
Close with the Our Father and thank Parents for their attendance and commitment to helping their children prepare for Reconciliation.
Mary L. O'Duffin RE Adviser(Primary)Archdiocese of Glasgow