Sacrament Of Reconciliation 2005

article from Issue No. 28/2007 for Sunday 15th July

As you may already know, for many years we have held a special course in Saint Margaret's Parish for nine year-olds on the Sacrament of Reconciliation or - as it is usual called - Confession.

These days many children "miss the net". Though the usual practice is for children to receive Reconciliation some little time before Holy Communion, not all actually do so. But more important still, I have become convinced that, at the age of sevem, children understand very little about Reconciliation. However, at nine years old, when their understanding is greater, but they have not yet aquired the sophistication (or problems!) of adolscense, it is valuable for them to repeat the instruction in a way specially geared for older children, and after it to make a sacramental confession, as if it were their First Confession all over again. The course is a short one which will last only four weeks.

Normally i prefer to hold it during Lent, a very appropriate time, I'm sure you would agree, when our thorughts are very much about Penance and the Passion of Our Blessed Lord. But as Easter was rather early this year, it has been difficult to fit in, so instead I am arranging it to start as soon as the schools go back in September. To ensure there is no delay - and since parents are also involved in this course and will naturally want to ask questions about it - I am announcing now (hopefully before you go away) the date of the meeting which will explain it in detail. This will be at 8.00 pm on Monday, 10th September, at 8.00 pm in the church.

The children's sessions will take place on the four Monday evenings: 17th, 24th September and 1st and 8th October at 5.30 pm. It is for all our parish nine year-olds, whether or not they have made their First Confessionn, and whether or not they attend St Mary's or one of our other Cathoic Junior Schools. Any older children who have not made their First Confession will also be welcome to come. The course will end with a Penitential Service, including Confession, on Saturday morning 15th October, so as to be fitted in completely before the children get too bogged down in their autumn schoolwork.