Our reconciliation service will be a little different as we will be listening to the Scriptures and Praying an Examination of Conscience together as a large group. 

The first video below is fun way to show the kids what it is going to be like. The second is a funny video of what to do and not do during the celebration! 

Below the video is an outline of our service... practice with your kids... you be the priest and they can be themselves... then switch roles! Let them role play as the priest and you be the kids!

Pray the Act of Contrition together during the next couple of weeks. They can bring the prayer in with them, but it is better for them to not read from it and have it be the first time they've seen the prayer the day of!

Opening Song
Opening Prayer
Penitential Rite
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Homily
Examination of Conscience
The Lord's Prayer
Exchange of Peace
Proclamation of Praise
Blessing
Closing Prayer
Closing Song

After the Closing Song you will be invited to go to individual confession. There will be several priests, including  Fr. Rob that you can go to. Many times, people will stand in line to wait for the priest they would like to talk to. I will ask the adults to allow for the kids to receive first!
 
1. When you go in: Greet the Priest and let them know it is your First Reconciliation
 
2. Then you will have a conversation about what you did that you shouldn't have done or things that you didn’t do that you should have done. This is just a time to talk to them in a safe environment where you can be open and honest about what is heavy on your heart.
 
3. After your talk, the priest will give you a penance, something to do when you are done. This is a way to grow to be a better person!
 
4. Then you will say the ACT OF CONTRITION5. After the Act of Contrition, the priest will put his hands over your head and pray a prayer of ABSOLUTION. You will make the SIGN OF THE CROSS and thank the priest.

6. You will leave the room and find your parents and take a moment to do your PENANCE... after everyone in your family has gone to confession who wants to, then you are free to leave and celebrate the joys of your 1st Reconciliation.

Child: Hello Father, my name is (______). This is the first time I'm celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Priest: Welcome, Let's make the Sign of the Cross together

MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

Priest: May God, who has enlightened every heart, help you to know your sins and trust in his mercy. You may now share what you would like to confess

Child: I want to try to be more thoughtful and kind. It is hard for me to let others go first. It is hard for me to share OR I really like to watch TV, but my parents have a rule that I can't watch some shows. But when I'm at my friends house, I watch those shows anyway OR I fight with my brother/sister a lot at home. I'd like to try not to fight so much. I know the fighting bothers my parents and makes my brother/sister feel bad.

Priest: God understands that it is not always easy to be kind, especially if the other person is not nice to you. But God told us to love others and treat them just as we would like to be loved and treated. Pray three Hail Mary's and ask Mary, the Mother of God, to help you see the goodness of others OR Deep down I am sure that you know that your parents make rules to protect you. They don't wat you to see or hear things that might harm you. Next time you go to your friends house, bring some games with you to play those instead of watching TV. Or until you are strong enough to say no to the shows you shouldn't watch, invite your friend over to play at your house. OR It sounds like the fighting is causing some hard feelings between you and your brother/sister. This week, I'd like you to do an act of kindness for him/her. Maybe you could do the dishes or make his/her bed for him/her as a surprise. Choose one of these things and do it!

Child: Thank you Father, I will do that and I am going to try to do better.

Priest: When you leave, I'd like you to go back to your seat and take some time to thin about what you are doing for your penance and when you are doing it. Doing your penance is an important part of the Sacrament. It shows your willingness to change your way of acting. Now, you can pray the Act of Contrition. 

Child: 
Priest: (Laying hands over child's head say the Prayer of Absolution or something similar) 
God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. OR I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. God bless you and go in peace. 

**When the priest says "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" 
remember to make the sign of the cross and say AMEN