After several weeks of preparation, 57 children received the Sacrament of Reconciliation during a very special ceremony at St. John on Wednesday, January 22. Their catechists worked hard to make sure that they were all well prepared. The children were relieved when Fr. John assured them that the priests would be there to help them through their individual confessions. The children responded in relief and delight at the compassion of our priests, Fr. John, Fr. Len, Fr. Jim and Fr. Rourke. Fr. John even had the children dust off their sleeves and told them their sins were now all gone away.
The Children’s Choir, under the direction of Ellie and Tom, sang angelically, setting a peaceful tone for the evening. Kay and Andy Sanfelippo assisted in the candle-lighting part of the ceremony as the parents read a special baptism prayer to their children.
At the end of the evening, the children received a pretzel, which was hand made by their catechists. The pretzel was half dipped in chocolate – the undipped half representing our lives before reconciliation – bland and dry; the sweet side of the pretzel representing the sweetness of our life when we ask forgiveness of others. Each child also received a certificate to mark the celebration as well as a candle from the ceremony. The evening was one of great joy!
Here’s what some of the children had to say about their experience:
“I was happy after my First Reconciliation and all of my sins went away.” – Andrew G.
“At first it was scary, but after I saw Fr. Jim, I felt happy and it was easy.” – Julia B.
“It was just like church but on a Thursday night. I talked to Fr. Jim. He was fun and made me feel fantastic about confession because I was nervous.” – Carter B.
“I feel proud, like I made Jesus happy.” – Michael B.
“I thought I would be nervous, but the priest was really nice.” – Blaise W.
