Grace's First Reconciliation

Last night, Grace checked off a major item in her First Communion preparation by participating in her first reconciliation.  The kids met in the church where the Faith Formation (that's what they call it here) Director began with a prayer, a reading and a lesson.  The nervous kids listened intently hoping for some clue as to what lie ahead for them.  It was at that point that he illustrated to them what they will feel like after they confess their sins.  He pulled out a box wrapped in dingy, torn newspaper.  He told them this is what your heart looks like when you sin.  But through the act of reconciliation you cleanse your heart and it feels like a shiny gift from God.  It was at that point that he pulled out a box wrapped in silver, heart paper.  The kids were amazed and excited to know that they were going to feel shiny and new after they talked to the priest.

With that the children were dismissed to get in line with one of the four priests,  As expected, the line for Fr. Don, the priest who helps out with Faith Formation, was extremely long.  Of course that is who Grace wanted to see but I encouraged her to visit another priest, using the best tactic I had in my arsenal, because it would be faster!  So we went over to the line for our pastor, Fr. Vince.  After all of 20 minutes it was her turn.

We walked up to him where I introduced her and left her to do her thing.  I looked back at her a couple of times and she seemed to be fine.  She was nodding and listening.  And then I saw her do the sign of the cross so I knew it was over.  She came to me and told me she was done.  I asked what he penance was and she said "he didn't give me one".  Yeah right!  I told her to hit her knees and say a prayer.

After she was done, she got to put a bow on the shiny. box.  That was a little extra thing that the Faith Formation leaders told them to do after their penance as a thank you to God for cleansing them.  Now just 15 more weeks until First Communion.