“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.”
Source: USCCB.org “Psalms, chapter 25:6-7”
For Parents to Teach to Their Children
This week we practice making gestures and learn how we show reverence during Mass, and at other times, in and outside of church. Kneeling, bowing, genuflecting, and blessing ourselves with The Sign of the Cross, are all part of our faith. Children in my class on Reconciliation are memorizing “An Act of Contrition” and will learn about the experience of receiving the Sacrament through practice at home and in class.
Parents can bless their children, using Holy Water from church, or simply by making the sign of the Cross on their heads and praying,”In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Your children will be interested in knowing that anyone can baptize a person, in cases of an emergency, by making the Sign of the Cross on their head with water, and again, stating out loud, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Our Art Gallery
John, chapter 20:23
USCCB.org
“[Jesus] said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you receive you retain are retained.'”
Practicing and Learning Our Prayers
Confiteor (I Confess)
“The Confiteor (named from Latin) or “I Confess” is part of the introductory prayers recited at every Mass. It is a general confession of one’s sins.” Source: “Catholic Prayers” lordcalls.com
“I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done
and in what I have failed to do,
[All strike their breast thrice]
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.”
Celebrate Through Music–“Sanctus”
“The Sanctus is the last part of the Preface in the Mass, sung in practically every rite by the people (or choir). It is one of the elements of the liturgy of which we have the earliest evidence. St. Clement of Rome (d. about 104) mentions it.”
Source: NewAdvent.org
“Holy, Holy, Holy”
“1 Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
2 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest,
hosanna in the highest.”
Source:Hymnary.org
Practicing the Parts of Reconciliation
Our Writing Project–“Gifts of Reconciliation”
This project helps a child preparing for First Reconciliation because it helps them think about the good and wonderful gifts of the Sacrament. It can be done in many different ways. This poster was done by a child in a Sunday School class, on brown paper bag, cutting rectangles from construction paper, using Sharpies, and stickers. Please click HERE for the ideas for making a “Reconciliation Riches” bag. The original idea comes from CatholicIcing.com.
Our Art Project–A Reconciliation “Thank You Note” to Jesus
This is an easy painting experience. Choose your colors and slightly blend together on a plate. Paint the base paper white, then with same brush, begin to add colors. The glue helps keep the paints separated and look great. Paint a heart “free-hand” and when dry, use a Sharpie pen to write the text. This project is intended to help the children envision thanking Jesus for their reconciliation. The idea and design for this art project comes from MagnifiKid!, October 13, 2019 Vol. 16 * Part II * Section 3 * Page 13:
“Our lives themselves are an expression of God’s goodness and love. For all these marvelous things, for even life itself, we thank the Lord.”
A Great Source of Information and Inspiration
Suggested Homework Activities–Week Five
Teach your child the definitions for the following words:
conscience, examination, Holy Scripture, penance, confession, contrition, penitent, confessor
Please read about “A Woman Who Was Sorry” from Luke 7:36-38, 44-48, 50 with your child from your family Bible, a Catholic children’s Bible or on-line at USCCB.org
Encourage your child to think about the gifts of Reconciliation and to write down a few of them.
