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Session Three: At Home This Week

Session Review

 

This week we are learning a little more about how God communicates with us.  God speaks to us through the bible even though it is complete and finished… and even though it was written a long time ago!

God also speaks to us through the living Church!!  And through the leaders of the Church like Pope Francis, Bishop Dolan, and Father Page & Father Vincent!

Through these two sources (the Bible and the Church) we learn how to live as God wants us to!

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Rules of Love

  • God teaches us what is right and wrong through the Bible and the teachings of the Church

  • We are taught to love God, love others, and to be sorry for our sins.

  • In the Hebrew Scriptures, the Ten Commandments teach us how to live (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5).

  • Jesus taught us how to live using the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), stories, and the way he lived his own life.

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Rite of Reconciliation

  • We confess our sins after saying, "Bless me Father, I have tried hard to be good, but I have made some bad choices."

  • Be honest with the priest, who will keep what you tell him a secret.

  • The priest represents Jesus and the whole community of the Church, and speaks words of forgiveness on behalf of everyone.

  • The priest may ask questions or offer advice because he wants to help.

  • The priest will give you a penance, something to do or say to help "make up" for your sins.

"Don't be afraid to ask God for forgiveness.  He never tires of forgiving us.  God is pure mercy." - Pope Francis

Learning the Act of Contrition / Examination of Conscience

There are different versions of the Act of Contrition you can use to say you are sorry for what you've done wrong. Choose one of the three versions of the Act of Contrition below for your child to start memorizing.

Use the Examination of Conscience from the parent pages to practice looking over past actions and considering how we have sinned.

Just for Parents - watch this great video from Fr. Casey to learn more about the Examination of Conscience for your own participation in the Rite of Reconciliation!  This viewpoint takes us past just using the Ten Commandments as a vehicle for personal reflection prior to reconciliation, and going deeper into our examinations.  Definitely food for thought!  Check it out!

At Home This Week

You still have plenty of formation to do for your kiddos at home!

  • "God's Rules of Love" on page 5 of the workbook

  • "The Beatitudes" on page 11 of the workbook

  • Memorizing an Act of Contrition

  • Practicing performing an Examination of Conscience

A simple Act of Contrition

Dear God, 
I am very sorry for any ways that I failed to love and committed sins. 
I'm sorry because I know you love me very much.  
I promise to do better and I know you will help me.
Amen.

Act of Contrition from the Rite (1975)

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 Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.

The traditional Act of Contrition

O my God, 
I am heartily sorry for having offended thee and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend thee, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. 
Amen. 

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