WAYS YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD  PREPARE FOR FIRST PENANCE

Confession is an act of honesty and courage-
​an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God. 
 Saint John Paul II
Watch "Practice First Confession" 
​You began preparing your child for the Sacrament of Penance long ago. Every time your child has seen or experienced loving forgiveness in your home, he or she has understood a little more about God's forgiving love. As children grow, they become more independent in their actions and decisions. This growth will include making mistakes, but these mistakes create opportunities for learning within the family. Your response to your children's behavior at these times will shape their idea of forgiveness. Words such as "I'm sorry" or "That's OK, I understand" help children realize that you love them even when they make a mistake or use poor judgment. When children see that their parents are forgiving toward each other and toward them, they come to view forgiveness and reconciliation as a natural part of everyday life. Children gradually realize that selfish choices somehow separate them form those they love. They learn that to ask and grant forgiveness brings people back together. 
Ways You Can Help
  • ​Look forward to the day when your child will receive the Sacrament and plan with him or her how you as a family will celebrate this first meeting with Jesus. 
​
  • Tell your child how wonderful it is that God loves us even when we fail to love and about how God is always ready to forgive us. Share your own desire to express sorrow for your sins and take your child with you when you go to confession.
​
  • Guide your child in a short examination of conscience, the Bedtime Examen, before they go to bed at night and pray together an Act of Contrition. This will help your child become aware of where they need Jesus' healing and forgiveness. When you notice that your child has done something that offends God or hurts another, guide him or her in a gentle, loving way to reconciliation with God and that person. 
​
  • Before your child celebrates the Sacrament of Penance, encourage him or her to ask your forgiveness and the forgiveness of brothers, sisters, and friends. Encourage apologies of  "I'm sorry for...," or "I wish I hadn't..." and "I forgive you" within your family. Your child will learn how everyone falls short of being the person God made them to be.  ​     
​
  • Our classroom preparation will focus on how the Sacrament helps us grow in love of God and others, enabling us to become more like Christ. ***Every week you should review and complete with your child the textbook and reconciliation booklet pages for the chapter covered in class.*** You might end this "home session" by first praying silently with your child and then together. Both you and your child might thank God for the good things he has helped you do and express sorrow for any selfishness or unkindness. Remember to ask God to help you become more loving toward him and others.   
​
  • Seeing the reconciliation room will help your child to feel less nervous about the unknown. Our "First Penance Tour"  will provide an opportunity to see where the priest and penitent sit when the sacrament is celebrated. A brief review  of the steps of the Order of Penance will also be provided by the Religious Education Team. (See Religious Education Calendar for date and time)  
​​ ​​
  • Most of all lovingly reassure your child!
Questions for Reflection- How do you promote reconciliation in your home?
  • How do you express forgiveness to your child?
  • What do you feel is the most effective way to show forgiveness to a child?
  • How can you help your child show forgiveness to someone who has injured or hurt him or her?
  • How do you make the words "I'm sorry" part of your family life?
  • How can you help a child feel and express sorrow out of love and concern and not merely out of fear of punishment?
  • What are some ways you can help your child learn from their mistakes?
  • How do you use prayer as a means of encouraging reconciliation in your home?
  • What is an effective approach to prayer in your family? reading Scripture?  reading simple stories of everyday life to your child?   talking to your child about God and His love and concern for us? showing your child how to pray?
  • How do you get your child to talk about a story, a TV program, or a real-life experience involving a moral decision? Does your child respond well to discussion?
  • What are some ways you can help your child evaluate misbehavior?
  • How do you help your child become more responsible for his or her actions?
  • Does your child respond well to discussion?                   (Excerpt taken from "Christ Our Life" Catechist Guide)