REC Message
APRIL
30 Parish Trivia Night - Book a table or come on your own and join a table. This is a great way to support the Parish
MAY
29 Confirmation
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has frequently encouraged Catholics to receive God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance.
In his March 2021 prayer intention video, the pope said: “When I go to confession, it is in order to be healed, to heal my soul. To leave with greater spiritual health. To pass from misery to mercy.”
He emphasized that “the centre of confession is not the sins we declare, but the divine love we receive, of which we are always in need.”
Jesus, who waits for us, listens to us, and forgives us, is the center of confession, the pope said. “Remember this: in the heart of God, we come before our mistakes".
It’s the time of year when many students are preparing to soon receive their first Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is a beautiful Sacrament, instituted by Christ as a way to offer us His Mercy and Grace. It is a very special time for our children and our parents, who have had the primary responsibility to help prepare them for this soul-redeeming Sacrament. Here are five simple ways you can help your child prepare for their first reconciliation.
Reconciliation can be a bit intimidating. Whether it's your first, second or three hundredth seventy-second time, bowing your head asking for mercy and forgiveness, is not always easy. But like most everything we experience, the more we do it the more comfortable we are.
Ease your children into understanding the importance of this beautiful sacrament and help them prepare for their first reconciliation with these helpful exercises.
- Talk about the Sacrament of Reconciliation Together
Before your child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation, it’s important they understand what it is and why we do it. Spend time talking with your child about this great healing Sacrament.
Revise together with your child the work you have covered over the past four weeks.
Explain to your children that going to Confession is not about getting into trouble; it’s about asking God for forgiveness and receiving God’s Grace to do better. Listen to your child’s questions and encourage them to learn more by asking more questions.
- Examination of Conscience
Teach your child how to pray an Examination of Conscience each night before bed, or as often as time allows. Some families do this together as a family before bed, silently reflecting on their days while mum or dad read the Examination out loud.
There are many great examinations around. Try and find one that your child will understand.
- Practice
Practice, practice, practice! Like with any sport, musical instrument, or other skill – continuous practice is essential. The same is true for preparation for all the Sacraments.
As your child’s first reconciliation approaches, take time to role play with them what they will do in their real confessions. Except, you can tell them they don’t have to really tell you their sins – unless of course they really want to. Maybe you’ll finally find out who really took that item you’ve been searching everywhere for.
- Go to Confession as a Family
Aside from practicing how to go to confession with your child, practice actually going to confession as a family. As parents, you are the first educators for your children when it comes to our Faith. However, the best way to really teach our children about the Faith is to practice it by living it out in our every day life. Showing your child that you can take the time to go to confession makes a deeper and longer-lasting impression than all the hours you might spend talking or reading about it with them.
- Pray Together
Aside from all the talking, reading, and practicing, the most essential step in preparing your child – and yourself – for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is prayer. Through prayer, we join in an intimate conversation with God. We ask Him to open our hearts to Him, show Him our weaknesses, and ask for His infinitely merciful forgiveness. Pray with and for your child, asking God to prepare him or her for this great Sacrament.
As Oscar Romero’s reflection says
This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
Please donate to Project Compassion. Each classroom has a box available.
Thank you for you generosity.
You are warmly Invited to the Parish Trivia Night
Friday 30 April, 2021
Tickets $10.00 per head.
Tables of 10 or come as an individual.
Bookings available via the Parish office.
DON’T FORGET THIS IS THE NIGHT THE RAFFLE WILL BE DRAWN
First prize a Hyundai Venue valued at $24,000
Tickets on sale via
Parish Webpage https://www.ccsh.org.au
The Parish Office or on the night.