First Reconciliation

First Confession went well yesterday with only one child not knowing their Act of Contrition possibly due to a learning disability but he can read.  I spoke to the priest beforehand.  He's our new young priest and assured me he would walk him through it.  I have no doubt it was a wonderful experience for both.  We have posted in the Confessionals their Act of Contrition, a version our pastor wants the children to learn.  I usually begin teaching it the very first day in August with sign language (I invented) when we start classes.  However, this year we got such a late start in January after the six Zoom classes online, that they really haven't had that much time.  However, I'm pleased with the progress.  My Thursday class, on the other hand, will be ready as everyone knows their prayers.  I did something different these last two years while also teaching the Level I (3 to 6 age group).  I gave them each a prayer book I made with the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Angel of God (before bed) and prayer before meals.  I told their parents if they learned any one of these prayers they would get a religious prize that they would select from a basket.  I have two baskets: one has holy cards, stickers, small notebooks, date books, magnets. The second basket contains religious necklaces, rosaries, scapulars, etc.  (Friends donate these religious items to me and I receive some in the mail.)  It really provided the incentive to learn and the parents actually appreciated it as well.  So this class tonight had been my Level I and they are certainly ready.  

I asked the children after their Confessions how they felt and what was it like for them?  One child said it was better than "one million stars in the sky!" It was so beautiful and poetic just the way he said it.  I wish I could have had a recording.

 I did the Last Supper and The Tomb with them after our First Confession.  We started a half hour early: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. so the children had lots of time to do their work.  I took a few photos of them working:

This boy is working with the Chasubles, Stoles, and Cinctures.  We've been working with the Stoles when we do Baptism and the Washing of the Hands.  They knew the Priest would be wearing a stole on for their First Confession, so this boy observed this today I'm sure and wanted to add it to the Priestly garments.

This boy is working with a model of our Church, St. Andrew the Apostle.  It was a model that was used before our new church was built. I had taken some of the materials and scripture books to our pastor when the program was new to the parish to show him how wonderful this Montessori program was for the children.  When our pastor gave it to me, I knew at once it was a positive gesture that he approved this program for our parish.  As I always do a tour of the church during our first class every year, I bring this material down off a tall cabinet where it's kept.  I made two little altars and small pews for the children to set up.  They always ask for it during the year as this boy did. 

Preparing for First Reconciliation:

     In the last three weeks I have been preparing the children for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation by using the large cards (shown above).  With pictures it shows the 5 steps to prepare ourselves for this sacrament and the meaning of each step.  I place the cards on the rug so they can see them as we can discuss any questions they might have.  The second time I present them, I will let them choose the topics that go with the drawings.  These are standard materials for the Catechesis of the

Good Shepherd program.

   This year due to Covid and our very late start in the year, we began with six sessions of Zoom, and since we were beginning Advent, we started with the Nativity Narratives and in doing so skipped the parable which is the cornerstone of our CGS program - The Good Shepherd and The Lost Sheep.  These parables are necessary before presenting Reconciliation.  So last week I presented these first, then the Steps.  Finally, we went to the church to practice Confession.  Tonight we will have our third and last practice as next week will be the children's First Reconciliation.