Today I Made My First Reconciliation

Description

Today I Made My First Reconciliation is my highest recommended gift for a child making his or her first Sacrament of Reconciliation. This book includes a story, catechesis, and a memory book.

Best friends Maria and Riley accidentally break a window while playing ball. They fear they have done something wrong, anticipate the consequences, then decide to lie to their parents about it.

Coincidentally, they are just learning about sin and the commandments in their religion classes in preparation for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. After Ms. Kelly explains sin to the children, Maria and Riley know they are in big trouble but don’ t know quite what to do. Words like penance, reconciliation, and absolution are just too big and too confusing.

One day the children coax Father Mike and Sister Mary Rose to join them in an impromptu soccer game. Afterwards, Father questions them about their lessons and then provides examples of how children can commit sins that offend God.

As time passes, Maria and Riley grow more uncomfortable and feel alienated from their parents and each other. Events lead them to question: Can sin make me sick? If I did something bad, would you still love me?

Along the way, their parish priests, teachers, and parents use stories of the prodigal son, Adam and Eve, the temptation of Jesus in the desert, ‘hit and run’ accidents, and Jesus’ suffering on the cross to explain sin, repentance, forgiveness, and God’s grace.

Father Hugo, their pastor who loves to de-mystify the church for the children, takes the class on a visit to the reconciliation room and answers their questions and fears about going to confession.

Best friends Maria and Riley just seem to get deeper and deeper into trouble after they accidentally break a window then lie to their parents about it. Their guilt makes them shy away from their parents’ love and causes lots of discomfort. As they search for relief they learn from parish priests, teachers, and family members about sin, repentance, forgiveness, God’s grace, reconciliation, and absolution.

Through it all Maria and Riley begin to understand. However, it isn’t until they research the meaning of reconciliation, penance and absolution on their own, that they see the whole picture.

Full of confidence, Maria and Riley make their First Reconciliation and witness the peace and joy that is theirs through sacramental graces.

Today I Made My First Reconciliation is a storybook, a reference book, and a memory book.

The “Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation” contains information on confessionals, the Commandments, examination of conscience, prayers, how to go to confession, and includes scriptural references.

The “Memories of My First Reconciliation Day” section allows the first-time penitent and his or her family to personalize the book and create a lasting memory of this special day.