Reconciliation is one of the most misunderstood sacraments in the Catholic Church. Because it is so confusing, we need to take some time and think about our own attitudes toward the sacrament. To think about:

• Is the sacrament of Reconciliation something I experience on a regular basis? Most practising Catholics celebrate this sacrament twice a year.
• How can I make this easier for my child? How can I make it easier for myself?
• What do I need to learn so that I may teach my child?

These questions are difficult to answer, and are perhaps not something we wish to share with our children. We do not want to frighten them, yet we are frightened ourselves. It is like wanting to make sure our children can swim when we are terrified of water! Here are a few important truths about the sacrament of Reconciliation (your grandparents called it going to confession):

• Sin is a fact. Sin is an act. Sin is basically a choice to act selfishly; to turn away from God and choose not to love.
• Sometimes, when we realise our selfish act and we have turned away from God deciding not to love, we feel sorry. It means that the call of Jesus has given us a change of heart - I want to become more loving and less selfish. I am sorry. God always forgives us. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a celebration of that forgiveness and restores us to the family of God.
• We share our sins with the priest in the sacrament and ask for forgiveness. The sacrament of Reconciliation celebrates in a special way, the love and forgiveness of God, brings us healing and peace, and reconciles us to God and to the Christian community.
• The prayer of absolution is the prayer of forgiveness prayed by the priest in the sacrament of Reconciliation. He tells us to go in the peace of Christ. We are once again at peace with ourselves, with God and with our world.
• Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, we, the faithful, acknowledge the sins we have committed, express our sorrow for them, and, intending to reform our ways, receive God's forgiveness and become reconciled with God and with the Church.

Stories from the Bible and some ideas to share with your children:

• We can respond to God's love for us by using well the gifts that God has given us. We use our gifts well when we use them to help others (Gospel of St. John - Chapter 15, verses 5 to 9).
• God calls us to choose what is good so that we can respond to the needs of others. God has given us thinking minds and loving hearts to help us make good choices (Sirach [also called Ecclesiasticus] Chapter 17, verses 1 to 11).
• We can answer Jesus' call to follow him by living the Beatitudes. If we live the Beatitudes and listen to Jesus' words, we will find joy (Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 3 to 11).
• Sometimes we need a change of heart because we become selfish and refuse to answer Jesus' call. Jesus will always forgive us when we ask. Jesus wants to change our hearts and make them new (Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 19, verses 1 to 10).
• To be reconciled means to forgive those who hurt us and to be united to them in friendship. Jesus asks us to forgive others as he has forgiven us (Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 18, verses 21 and 22).
• The sacrament of Reconciliation is a special way our Christian community asks forgiveness and celebrates God's healing and peace. In this sacrament, the priest forgives us in the name of Jesus and in the name of the Christian community (Gospel of St. Luke, Chapter 15, verses 11 to 24 and 32).
• When I celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation, Jesus promises us his forgiveness and healing. He gives us a new joy and peace. He reconciles us to God and to the Christian community.
• The sacrament of Reconciliation sends us out again to use our gifts for others and let others know how much God loves them. The Holy Spirit helps us use our gifts to make the world a better place for everyone.

Act of Contrition - a prayer to say I am sorry

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Saviour Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

Linda Labelle is the Diocesan Coordinator Faith Development + Evangelisation