First Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation

"The whole power of the Sacrament of Penance consists in restoring us to God's grace and joining us with him in an intimate friendship. Reconciliation with God is thus the purpose and effect of this sacrament. For those who receive the Sacrament of Penance with contrite heart and religious disposition, reconciliation is usually followed by peace and serenity of conscience with strong spiritual consolation. Indeed the Sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true "spiritual resurrection", restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God."  (CCC n.1468)

First Reconciliation is held in St. Thomas More Church. We ask that families arrive 15 minutes early in church attire and sit together. Nametags will be provided for your child to wear so the priest will be able to call your child by name. There will be stations set up around the church with the priest to meet with the children for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Ushers will come and collect your child from the pew and guide your child on where to go.  We will recite the Act of Contrition together as a whole community. We will practice this sacrament during the First Reconciliation Family Retreat and ask that you also practice at home so that your child feels confident in what they need to do and say.

There are four options for the preparation of children for First Reconciliation at St. Thomas More Parish:

1. Students enrolled at St. Thomas More School prepare in School during Second Grade.
2. Students enrolled in the Elementary Faith Development program prepare over two years in First and Second Grade. For catechesis students use the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies curriculum.
3. Students who are older than Second Grade enroll in the "Sacramental Preparation" class in Elementary Faith Development and use the Pflaum Gosepl Weeklies curriculum.
4. Students in Home Catechesis may prepare for Reconciliation with their parents after consultation with the Director of Elementary Faith Development, using these same materials.

The most helpful preparation for all students is the example and practice of their parents, to live a conscious Christian life at home, of prayer, reading the Scriptures, striving to follow God's law, expressing sorrow for sin and readily granting forgiveness, and regular celebration of the Sacrament of Reconcilation, both individually and at communal celebrations.
 

First Reconciliation Celebration 2021

St. Thomas More School
STM School second graders will celebrate their First Reconciliation on January 12th at 10:30am at the school with Fr. Scott. 


Elementary Faith Development
I am sure it comes as no surprise that we are going to modify how we do our EFD First Reconciliation Service on Saturday, January 9, 2021 to ensure everyone’s safety. We are grateful we are able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and are praying for these little ones as they prepare themselves for their very first one.

First Reconciliation will be conducted in this way:

5. Children receiving First Reconciliation will be divided into 3 groups: A, B, and C.

5. DELAYED 2 HOURS DUE TO WEATHER! New times below:
   Group A will meet in the church at 11:50am, Group B at 12:20pm, and
   Group C at 12:50am.

5. Groups B and C, please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled time and wait in the Friends and Family Hall. Someone will direct you to the church when it is time for your group to enter. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF THE GROUPS AND CHILDREN'S NAMES.

Notes about the First Reconciliation Service:

Please wear church attire for this special day. Your child’s First Reconciliation Certificate and preprinted nametag will be prepared for you to collect before entering the church. Please have your child put on their nametag so the priest will know your child’s name. There will be stations set up around the church with the priest to meet with the children for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and ushers to guide your child to where they need to go when it is their turn. They will all say the Act of Contrition together as a group. It is helpful for you to practice at home so that your child feels confident in what they need to do and say. Everything you need to practice for First Reconciliation is in the First Reconciliation Retreat Bag!

Instructions for Individual Reconciliation:

1. Make the sign of the cross and say, “Bless me father; this is my first celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”

2. Tell the priest your sins

3. Receive a penance from the priest

4. Receive absolution from the priest

5. Return to your seat and say your penance.

6. You are free to leave quietly when you have finished your penance.

Children only are invited to come forward for Reconciliation during the service. Unfortunately, we cannot invite parents or other family members to do so, because the service would be too long.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.
 

Estoy seguro de que no sorprende que vayamos a modificar la forma en que realizamos nuestro Servicio de Primera Reconciliación el 9 de enero para garantizar la seguridad de todos. Estamos agradecidos de poder recibir el Sacramento de la Reconciliación y estamos orando por estos pequeños mientras se preparan para el primero. La Primera Reconciliación se llevará a cabo de esta manera:

5. Las familias se dividirán en grupos A, B y C.

5. ¡RETRASO 2 HORAS DEBIDO AL TIEMPO! Nuevos tiempos a continuación:
   Grupo A se reunirá en la iglesia a las 11:50 am, Grupo B a las 12:20pm y Grupo C a las 12:50pm.

5. Grupos B y C, llegue 10 minutos antes de la hora programada y espere en el Salón de Amigos y Familia. Alguien lo dirigirá a la iglesia cuando sea el momento de que su grupo ingrese.

Notas sobre el Servicio de Primera Reconciliación

Por favor use ropa de iglesia para este día especial. Se preparará el Certificado de Primera Reconciliación de su hijo y la etiqueta con su nombre preimpresa para que los recoja. Por favor, pídale a su hijo que ponga su etiqueta con su nombre para que el sacerdote sepa el nombre de su hijo. Habrá estaciones alrededor de la iglesia con el sacerdote para reunirse con los niños para el Sacramento de la Reconciliación y ujieres para guiar a su hijo a donde debe ir cuando sea su turno. Todos dirán el Acto de contrición juntos como grupo. Es útil que practique en casa para que su hijo se sienta seguro de lo que necesita hacer y decir. ¡Todo lo que necesitas para practicar para la Primera Reconciliación está en la Bolsa de Retiro de la Primera Reconciliación!

Instrucciones para la Reconciliación Individual

1. Haz la señal de la cruz y di “Bendíceme padre; esta es mi primera celebración del Sacramento de la Reconciliación”

2. Dile al sacerdote tus pecados

3. Recibe una penitencia del sacerdote.

4. Recibe la absolución del sacerdote.

5. Regrese a su asiento y diga su penitencia.

6. Eres libre de irte tranquilamente cuando hayas terminado tu penitencia.

Solo se invita a los niños a presentarse para la Reconciliación durante el servicio. Desafortunadamente, no podemos invitar a los padres u otros miembros de la familia a hacerlo porque el servicio sería demasiado largo.
Por favor, no dude en contactarnos con cualquier pregunta que pueda tener.