PARENTS † SCHOOL † CHURCH

What is the name of this sacrament?

It is called the sacrament of Penance, the sacrament of Reconciliation, the sacrament of Forgiveness, the sacrament of Confession and the sacrament of Conversion. Why is there a sacrament of Reconciliation after Baptism?

Since the new life of grace received in Baptism does not abolish the weakness of human nature nor the inclination to sin, Christ instituted this sacrament for the conversion of the baptised who have been separated from him by sin. When did He institute this sacrament?

The risen Lord instituted this sacrament on the evening of Easter when he showed himself to his apostles and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23) What forms does penance take in the Christian life?

Penance can be expressed in many and various ways but above all in fasting, prayer and almsgiving. These, and many other forms of penance, can be practiced in the daily life of a Christian, particularly during the time of Lent and on the penitential day of Friday. What are the essential elements of the sacrament of Reconciliation?

The essential elements are two:

the acts of the penitent who comes to repentance through the action of the Holy Spirit, and

the absolution of the priest who in the name of Christ grants forgiveness and determines the ways of making satisfaction.

Sacrament of Penance and Reconci l iat ion

“Through the Sacraments of Reconciliation, we receive new life in Christ.”

Pope Francis

Sacrament of Penance and Reconci l iat ion

“Among the Sacraments, it is that of Reconciliation that best shows the merciful face of God. We must never forget, either as penitents or as confessors: there is no sin that God cannot forgive.”

Pope Francis

“The Sacrament of Reconciliation calls us back to God, and embraces us with his infinite mercy and joy. May we allow his love to renew us as his children and to reconcile us with him, with ourselves, and with one another.”

Pope Francis What are the acts of the penitent?

They are:

a careful examination of conscience, which is perfect when it is motivated by love of God and imperfect if it rests on other motives,

the determination not to sin again; which consists of the telling of one‟s sins to the priest and

satisfaction or the carrying out of certain acts of penance which the priest imposes upon the penitent to repair the damage caused by sin.

Which sins must be confessed?

All sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?

Each of the faithful, who have reached the age of discretion, is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion, if missed. What are the effects of this sacrament?

The effects of the sacrament of Penance are: reconciliation with God and therefore the forgiveness of sins; peace, serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation and strength.

“The forgiveness we receive is not the result of our own efforts, but is the gift of the Holy Spirit reconciling us to God

and to each other.” Pope Francis

“In his mercy, he never tires of stretching out his hand to lift us up, to encourage us to continue our journey, to come back and tell him of our weakness, so that he can grant us his strength.”

Pope Francis

Teaching the Sacrament in St. Mark’s Primary School

Christian moral teaching positively affirms all human life as precious. Our Catholic faith recognises that all people are created in God‟s image and are loved in a unique way by God.

This is a very special year in the spiritual development of your child as they prepare to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation. The sacramental preparation will be shared by the home, school and parish. Home

In helping your child to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you will be fulfilling your role as the first and most important educators of your child in the ways of the faith. Since you know your child better than anyone else, you will have an active part to play as your child learns about this Sacrament.

School

In St Mark‟s Primary School, our staff are highly trained in delivering the appropriate teaching for your child to be fully prepared for the sacrament they will receive. The school will use the „This Is Our Faith‟ Religious Education Programme, alongside lessons from the „Alive-O 3‟ Religious Education Programme, to support your child in their preparation for this Sacrament.

Parish

Deatails of enrolment and other relevant informationation will be shared at Mass by Father Dominic Quinn, Parish Priest of St. Peters Church, Buchanan Cres, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire ML3 8LL, 01698 423016

The Family Workbook The Family Workbook has Home Sessions which compliment the teaching which takes place in the classroom. The sessions contain information for parents and activities which can be carried out by parents and children at home.

Prayertime

Each Home Session ends with a Prayertime. This is a very important part of the session. If you have your child‟s Baptismal Candle, you could light this during Prayertimes. If not, perhaps you could use another candle.

Completion and Return of Home Sessions

Each time that the Family Workbook is sent home, please look at Page 4. On this page, each week, your child‟s teacher will have written the numbers of the Home Sessions to be completed. Once Home Sessions are completed, please give the workbook back to your child to take back to school on Friday, ready for the following week. Please do not move ahead with Home Sessions until work has been covered in school.

Children home

school

parish

Week beginning

Lessons in school will include - Home Sessions

8th February

Theme One: Made in God‟s Image Home Session 1

Theme Two: Chosen in Baptism Home Session 2

15th February Theme Three: Jesus the Healer Home Session 3

22nd

February Theme Four: What was Lost is Found Home Session 4

29th February Theme Five: Come Down Zacchaeus Home Session 5

7th March Theme Six: Mending Relationships Home Session 6

14th March Theme Seven: The Rite of Reconciliation Home Session 7

21st March SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

After child has made

First Reconciliation

Prayer Time in School

PARENTS † SCHOOL † CHURCH

Meeting about the Sacraments in the School Hall

Third Thursday in February

7.00pm Reconciliation 7.30pm Communion 8.00pm Confirmation

A short meeting about learning and teaching of the sacrament.

Sacrament of Penance and Reconci l iat ion

First Reconciliation Retreat

The children who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation will participate in a retreat. The retreat will allow the children to experience and understand their spiritual journey in more depth as well as, complimenting the teaching and work completed within the classroom with class teachers.