Church Office 254-666-7722
Penance/Reconciliation
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The Sacrament of Reconciliation for Children
Make a way with Mend, a first Reconciliation experience for the entire family. Invite parents to reflect on their experience of Reconciliation and equip them to teach, share faith, and pray with their children. Families will encounter Jesus and experience the beauty of Reconciliation through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations. Watch families dive deeper into the incredible gift God gives us of Reconciliation, with Mend.During the second year of formation, families will participate in Mend. This program provides immediate preparation for receiving Holy Eucharist and includes:
To begin the journey, we welcome your family into community at St. Jerome through the Pathways Program. We invite you to sign up for a Visit with a Family Minister so that we can learn more about your family's faith journey. Families will engage in the SEEK and ROOT modules alongside other families during their first year of formation.- 3- At Church Sessions for parents and teens
- 7- At Home Family Meetings for families to complete together
- One at Church Mini Retreat
Please contact Betsy Wechter
[email protected]To Such Belongs the Kingdom
Jesus loved children. As a child himself, he was raised by Joseph and Mary in their home at Nazareth (cf. Mt 2:23). Growing up among relative and townspeople, Jesus experienced the concerns and problems common to all children, such as sickness and death among family members. Within this setting, Jesus “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him” (Lk 2:40).
Jesus’ affection for children is clearly affirmed in the Gospels. When his disciples attempted to halt people from bringing children to Jesus for his blessing, he insisted: “let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Mt 19:14).
Jesus also demonstrated his solicitude for children by healing them and raising them from death. He restored life to Jairus’ daughter (cf. Mk 5:21-43; Mt 9:18-25; Lk 8:41-56) and the son of the widow of Nain (cf. Lk 7:11-17). He healed an epileptic boy and the demon-possessed daughter of a Greek woman (cf. Mt 15:21-28, 17:14-18; Mk 7:24-30; Lk 9:37-43).
His fundamental concern was always for the spiritual development of children. The greatest gift which God the Father can give to anyone, including children, is faith in his only begotten Son. Jesus declared that the Father reveals his Son to children more readily than to the learned and clever (cf. Lk 10:21; Mt 11:25).
Recalling these examples of Jesus’ attention to children sets the proper context for helping children examine the conscience and preparing them for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
This sacrament allows Jesus to express his love for children today. Through it, he continues to influence their lives; he demonstrates his power to heal them, to free them from the bondage of sin, and raise them to new life. In turn, this sacrament allows children to come to know and love Jesus. For these reasons, Jesus still exhorts us: “Let the children come!”
How to Make a Good Confession
- Find a time and place to go to Confession. CLICK HERE for times/days.
Prior to going to Confession, examine your conscience. Reflect on your sins, both things you have done and said and things you have not done and said.
When you arrive, begin your Confession by saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been [length of time] since my last Confession. These are my sins….”
The priest will offer a suggestion, called a penance, for you to do (sometimes a prayer, sometimes a reading, sometimes something else).
You will then pray the Act of Contrition, out loud. This shows that you are sorry for your sins.
The priest will then pray the Prayer of Absolution to which you respond “Amen”.
The priest will offer some words of comfort and acknowledgment that God has forgiven your sins and then add a dismissal. You can respond “Thanks be to God” or in some other appropriate manner.
