Through such an admission man looks squarely at the sins he is guilty of, takes responsibility for them, and thereby opens himself again to God and to the communion of the Church in order to make a new future possible.
– Catechism of the Catholic Church 1455
An Encounter with Mercy
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not a mundane ritual or an embarrassing exposition, but offers a special opportunity to encounter the love and mercy of God in a real, tangible, and personal way. In this sacrament, He shows how trustworthy He is, how there is nothing that can separate us from His love, and how He longs for us to draw closer to Him, flinging off the burden of sin that holds us back.
Using the workbook Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation and the videos below, parents can help their children get ready for this special Sacrament, so they can truly grow and encounter Jesus.
Once you have completed all chapters and activities, contact Samantha at the church (samantha@stalphonsus.net) to make arrangements for your child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.
Let’s get started
This process is done at your pace – no rush, no deadlines, no pressure. Simply work through the material at whatever pace works best for you; we recommend no more than 1 chapter a week for best retention of material and not overwhelming your child with too much information. Each chapter, with videos and activities, takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete, so make sure to carve out solid time to dedicate to completing the chapter. If you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to reach out!
In this 20 minute video, Fr. Craig and Michelle will introduce the preparation process, give a tour of the workbook answer a few common questions and get you started on making the book your own.
After your child has finished the activity on page 3, help your child turn to page 4 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 5 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 3, help your child turn to page 4 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 5 minutes long.
To begin, help your child turn to page 2 in the orange coloured First Reconciliation workbook, “Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation”, and watch the video below together. The video is about 9 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 3, help your child turn to page 4 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 5 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 5, help your child turn to page 6 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 5 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 7, help your child turn to page 8 in the workbook and then watch the video below. After the video, help your child through the final activity on page 9. The video is about 5 minutes long.
Help your child complete the activity on page 9.
Bonus: “Trinity Song”
Bonus: First Reconciliation Word Search
To begin, help your child turn to page 12 in the orange coloured First Reconciliation workbook, “Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation”, and watch the video below together. The video is about 9 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 13, help your child turn to page 14 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 4 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 15, help your child turn to page 16 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 2 minutes long. After your child has finished the activity on page 17, help your child turn to page 18 in the workbook and then watch the video below. After the video, help your child through the final activity on page 19. The video is about 4 minutes long. Help your child complete the activity on page 19.
Bonus: “Trinity Roll Up” Song
Bonus: “Trinity Roll Up” Song
To begin, help your child turn to page 22 in the orange coloured First Reconciliation workbook, “Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation”, and watch the video below together. The video is about 13 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 23, help your child turn to page 24 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 4 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 25, help your child turn to page 26 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 2 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 27, help your child turn to page 28 in the workbook and then watch the video below. After the video, help your child through the final activity on page 29. The video is about 4 minutes long.Help your child complete the activity on page 29.
Bonus: “This is My Commandment” SongBonus: Accident, Mistake or Sin
Bonus: “This is My Commandment” SongBonus: Accident, Mistake or Sin
To begin, help your child turn to page 32 in the orange coloured First Reconciliation workbook, “Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation”, and watch the video below together. The video is about 7 minutes long.After your child has finished the activity on page 33, help your child turn to page 34 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 4 minutes long.After your child has finished the activity on page 35, help your child turn to page 36 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 4 minutes long.After your child has finished the activity on page 37, help your child turn to page 38 in the workbook and then watch the video below. After the video, help your child through the final activity on page 39. The video is about 3 minutes long.Help your child complete the activity on page 39.
Bonus: “Baptism Primary Song 100”
Bonus: Write a Prayer
To begin, help your child turn to page 42 in the orange coloured First Reconciliation workbook, “Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation”, and watch the video below together. The video is about 6 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 43, help your child turn to page 44 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 2 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 45, help your child turn to page 46 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 3 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 47, help your child turn to page 48 in the workbook and then watch the video below. After the video, help your child through the final activity on page 49. The video is about 6 minutes long.
Bonus: “Come Along With Me to Jesus” by Carey Landry and Jean Kinghorn-Landry
Bonus: Stop, Look, Listen, Act
To begin, help your child turn to page 52 in the orange coloured First Reconciliation workbook, “Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation”, and watch the video below together. The video is about 9 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 53, help your child turn to page 54 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 5 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 55, help your child turn to page 56 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 3 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 57, help your child turn to page 58 in the workbook and then watch the video below. After the video, help your child through the final activity on page 59. The video is about 4 minutes long.
Help your child complete the activity on page 59.
Bonus: “Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man” Bonus: Examination of Conscience and Act of Contrition
Bonus: “Zacchaeus Was A Wee Little Man” Bonus: Examination of Conscience and Act of Contrition
To begin, help your child turn to page 62 in the orange coloured First Reconciliation workbook, “Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation”, and watch the video below together. The video is about 6 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 63, help your child turn to page 64 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 3 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 65, help your child turn to page 66 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 4 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 67, help your child turn to page 68 in the workbook and then watch the video below. After the video, help your child through the final activity on page 69. The video is about 2 minutes long.
Help your child complete the activity on page 69.
Bonus: “Tell me the story of Jesus”
Bonus: Sheep Activities
To begin, help your child turn to page 72 in the orange coloured First Reconciliation workbook, “Celebrate and Remember: Reconciliation”, and watch the video below together. The video is about 6 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 73, help your child turn to page 74 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 4 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 75, help your child turn to page 76 in the workbook and then watch the video below. The video is about 3 minutes long.
After your child has finished the activity on page 77, help your child turn to page 78 in the workbook and then watch the video below. After the video, help your child through the final activity on page 79. The video is about 5 minutes long.
Help your child complete the activity on page 79.
Bonus: “If I listen with my heart” Bonus: How to go to Confession for children in primary grades
Bonus: “If I listen with my heart” Bonus: How to go to Confession for children in primary grades
Congratulations on being ready to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Below, you’ll find a four minute video that demonstrates how to receive this Sacrament for the first time. Feel free to watch it as many times as you wish and use it to help prepare. Don’t worry if you forget anything though; the priest will help you every step of the way.
Bonus Material: Making your First Reconciliation
All set to receive the Sacrament?
Once you have completed all chapters and activities, contact Samantha at the church (samantha@stalphonsus.net) to make arrangements for your child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.