Welcome to Session 5 for First Reconciliation!
Please go through the lesson together with your child. It is due Dec 19. You will need the Blessed First Reconciliation book and a pencil.
Don't forget turn in this session by having your child complete the short Google Form at the end of the lesson (scroll down).
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross, and pray the prayer on page 137 together.
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The Garden of Your Heart
- Look at the picture on pgs 140-141 together.
- Ask your child to notice anything that stands out in the picture of the beautiful garden. Is there anything that seems out of place? (thornbush)
- Now read the story together. Continue reading on pgs. 142-143.
- Ask your child "who is the gardener of your heart?" (Jesus!)
Preparation Matters
- Why do we prepare for all of life's great moments? Discuss together.
- Watch the next two videos together (or read pgs 144-145):
The Five Steps
- Read the 5 steps of making a great Reconciliation together (pgs. 146-147).
- Watch Episode 4 together (or read pgs. 148-149).
- Read pgs. 150-161 together, which go over the 5 steps in greater detail. (Note: It may be better to spread this reading out over a few sessions with your child.)
- Have your child practice either version of the Act of Contrition on pg. 158. Fr. Peter and Fr. Joe use a different version, and usually pray it with the children ahead of time as a group, but it is good for them to be familiar with this prayer. (Copies are usually available in confessionals, it is not necessary to memorize it.)
"The examination of conscience never induces despair, always hope... because examination of conscience is done in light of God's love."
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
From the Bible: The Prodigal Son
- The Prodigal Son in one of the most famous stories in the Bible, about how God always rejoices when we return home to Him.
- Watch the next video together:
- Read pages 162-165 together.
- Ask your child how they think the son felt when his father welcomed him home. (Grateful, relieved, happy, excited, etc.)
- Remind your child (and yourself!) that God will always love them, he will always call them back home to himself, and his love is always bigger than any sin!
First, but Not Last
- Ask your child if they think this will be the first and only time they go to reconciliation. (Hopefully not!)
- Watch the next video together:
Your Best Friend
- Ask your child, "who is the best friend you will ever have?"
- Read the story on pg.168.
- If you would like, go through some of the questions on pgs. 170-171, and then have your child journal (pg. 173).
Closing Prayer
- Read page 174 together or watch Episode 7 below.
- Ask your child: “What are some of the most important things you learned in this lesson?” (Possible answers: My first reconciliation is going to be a great moment in my life, preparation is essential for a great experience, God will rejoice every time I come to reconciliation, reconciliation is a lifelong blessing, etc.)
End Session 3 by praying the Glory Be together (pg. 174).
Welcome to Session 4 for First Reconciliation!
Please go through the lesson together with your child. It is due Dec 1. You will need the Blessed First Reconciliation book and a pencil.
Don't forget turn in this session by having your child complete the short Google Form at the end of the lesson
(scroll down).
- Begin with the Sign of the Cross, and pray the prayer on page 105 together.
God Loves Healthy Relationships
- Watch the video together:
- God wants to have a relationship with each of us. He also wants us to have good relationships with each other.
- Two of the most important lessons in life are how to forgive and how to be forgiven. Why is forgiveness so important?
Forgiveness
- Watch the next video together:
- Read pgs 108-109 together.
- Ask your child: Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong? How did it make you feel?
- Share an experience of your own with your child.
What is a Sacrament?
- Watch the next video together (or you can read pgs 114-115 together):
- Ask you child: What is a sacrament? (see pgs 114-115 if you need help)
What is Reconciliation?
- Watch Episode 4 together:
How does reconciliation help us? How does it help us grow closer to God?
From the Bible: Our Father
- Watch the next video together:
- Read pages 118-119 together.
- Remind your child that he or she is the son or daughter of a great King!
- Pray the Our Father together (pg. 119).
You Are Blessed
- Watch the next video together:
- Read pg. 121 together and then say this together:
"I am blessed. I am the daughter/son of a great King. He is my Father and my God. The world may praise me or criticize me. It matters not. He is with me, always at my side, guiding me and protecting me. I do not fear because I am his."
The Good Shepherd
- Read the story of the Good Shepherd together (pgs. 122-124).
God Will Always Love You
- Read pg. 126 together.
- Talk with your child about what you have read.
- Ask your child, "Will God always love you?"
- If your child would like to journal, there is space on pg. 131. (This is a great opportunity to teach them a way to communicate with God.)
Closing Prayer
- Read page 132-134 about King David together, or watch Episode 7 below.
- Ask your child: “What are some of the most important things you learned in this lesson?” (Possible answers: God loves healthy relationships, forgiveness is essential to healthy relationships, reconciliation cleans up my soul, I am God's son/daughter, Jesus wants to lead me to Heaven.)
End Session 3 by praying Psalm 23 together (pg. 134).
Welcome to Session 3 for First Reconciliation!
(if you still need to complete any previous sessions please scroll down)
Please go through the lesson together with your child. It is due November 14. You will need the Blessed First Reconciliation book and a pencil. Don't forget turn in this session by having your child complete the short Google Form at the end of the lesson (scroll down).
Show your child how to make the Sign of the Cross, and pray the prayer on page 69 together.
The Mess
- Watch the video together:
Ask: “Jesus is Savior of the world. What does that mean?”
- Being Savior of the world means that Jesus saved every person who has ever lived, and who will ever live, from our sins so that we can be happy on earth and happy with God in heaven.
- If your child needs help finding the answer, point them to the text on page 71.
We All Need Saving
- Read pages 72 and 73 together.
- If you have a story of a time when you were saved, share that story with your child.
Jesus is Your Savior
- Read pages 74 and 75 together.
- Remind your child: “When Jesus was on the cross, he thought of you!”
- Ask them: “How does this make you feel?” (Possible answers might be - grateful, happy, blessed).
Jesus' Birth and Childhood
- Watch the next video together:
The Quiet Years
Read pages 78 and 79 together.
Have your child think of a time when they lost something important to them. How did they feel when they lost it? Did they find it? If so, how did they feel when they found it?
Ask your child: “How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when they found Jesus?”
Jesus' Ministry
- Watch the next video together:
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The Cross, Resurrection and Ascension
- Watch the next video together:
- Read pages 90 and 91 together.
- Ask your child: “Do you want to go to heaven?” We can never spend too much time encouraging and helping our young people to think about heaven and the joy that awaits us.
From the Bible: Pentecost
- Watch the next video together:
You and the Church
- Watch the next video together:
- Read pages 96 and 97 together.
- Ask your child: “If you could be anyone in the Jesus story, who would you be?” (If they need help, make suggestions: one of the disciples, Mary, Lazarus, Zacchaeus, the woman at the well, the Good Shepherd, etc.)
Closing Prayer
Read page 102 (up to the prayer to the Holy Spirit) together.
Ask your child: “What are some of the most important things you learned in this lesson?” (Possible answers: I am a part of Jesus’ story, Jesus has a special mission just for me, God loves me enough to give His life for me, Jesus wants me to share His love with others)
End Session 3 by praying the Holy Spirit prayer together.
Please turn in the Google Form by clicking here
