Lenten Observance: The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Two years ago when my son was in 2^nd grade, he and his friends were making preparations for First Communion and First Reconciliation.  In our 2^nd grade Small Church Community Family Faith Formation group, we did an exercise that made a great impression on the kids and I must admit, even brought a better understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for me.

 

 

First, I dipped my hand into a plate full of syrup.  Ewww!  It is sticky and gooey and messy; maybe this is the time I picked a fight with someone or lost my temper too quickly. 

 

Next, I dipped my syrup covered hand into a plate full of crushed crackers.  Since my hand was so sticky from the syrup, they really stuck!  Maybe this is the lazy feeling I gave in to, refusing to do what needed to be done, procrastinating or passing my work off onto others. 

 

 

Finally, I dipped my syrup, cracker covered hand into some dirt.  Really got it good and yucky!  Am I holding a grudge against someone, refusing to forgive? Have I neglected someone in need? Spoken harsh words and not apologized?

Wow, that’s a mess.  That can be what our souls look like when we sin.  And often one sin leads to another and can make it easier to sin again and again. Because, once you’re all messy, it doesn’t really matter as much to get even messier.

 

 

So, now I took my hand and put it into a pitcher of water.  Time to clean it off!  But, wait—when I do this by myself, I really can’t get my hand very clean.  I need help. 

 

 

So my friend brought some soap and helped me wash my hand.  Just like the Priest brings Penance and helps us cleanse our souls.  We cannot do everything on our own; we are dependent on God and He has given us the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, facilitated by the Priest, to bring us spiritual renewal!  Accept His gift this Lent! 

 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Saturday at 3:45pm and every Wednesday at 6:00pm.  Our Community Lenten Reconciliation Service will be held on Wednesday, March 20^th at 7:00pm. 

 Abbie is a “cradle Catholic” who is learning just as much as her kids (maybe more?!?) in the process of teaching them about our beautiful faith!

 

The basis for the idea came from this website, http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Gradeschool/Objects/1object24.php.
It was a great idea but we were able to tweak it a little bit to reflect the Sacrament even better and reveal the importance of the Priest’s role in Reconciliation. 

Reflections of a First-Year Catholic School Teacher

I remember the exact day I heard the calling from God to become a Catholic school teacher. It was February 15, 2012, and I had finally reached the end of my rope with my current public school. I cried the whole way to work that day, and then proceeded to cry to my best friend at the school until the first bell rang. I wasn’t happy there anymore. I needed a change. Something huge was missing from my work-life. That something was God. I applied that very week to Saint Andrew Catholic School in Fort Worth.

I remember the exact feeling I got the first time I stepped foot into the church with the 650 students that attend SAS. I was visiting the school to see if it was a good “fit” and if I should follow through with the interview process. I was overwhelmed with peace and love. It was as though God was right there with me saying, “Lauren, this is where you are supposed to be!” I cried again, but this time tears of joy! I had found my work-home! I followed through with the interview and got the job!!!

I remember the exact feeling I got the first day of school. It was August 13, 2012, and I was nervous, a little scared, but filled with joy to be teaching 6^th grade at Saint Andrew Catholic School. How amazing to be able to start every morning with Bible verses and prayers! How amazing to be able to teach a Religion class everyday and study the Bible with God-loving, beautiful children! How amazing to finally have found my calling!

Teaching at a Catholic school has been one of the best decisions my husband and I have made for me in my faith walk in a long time. I come to school everyday ready to worship. I am able to discuss the Bible and my prayer life with my students. For the first time in my adult life, I actually look forward to going to work everyday. I look forward to creating lessons that revolve around Christ and His teachings. I love listening to the children talk about their knowledge of God and all the plans He has for them. I feel so blessed and humbled to be a part of their faith walk.

Recently I was thinking about the role of a parent in his/her child’s life. As a parent, our number one goal is to get our children to Heaven. Every day, 70 students come in and out of my classroom. For the short time they have with me, my goal is to teach them what they need to become successful adults in society, in their jobs, and most importantly, in their churches and homes. For eight hours a day, I have the goal of getting these 70 students to Heaven, and quite honestly, I can’t think of a better job than that!

For years I didn’t listen to what God wanted for my life. I continued to work in a job where I was dragged down, unchallenged, and unhappy. I am so glad that I finally stopped to listen to His calling for me. I now know that I am supposed to work with children in a setting that allows me to talk about God, pray, and read the Bible with my students. God called me….and I am so glad that I was able to say yes!

-Lauren