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PART 1: the blessings of confession
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WATCH BROTHER FRANCIS: Forgiven - The blessings of confession
Login to your Formed account, and search for "brother francis blessings of confession" to watch Forgiven: The Blessings of Confession.
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR YOU & YOUR CHILD
We have some discussion questions to go along with the video. Depending on your kid's attention span, you can break the discussion into two parts, or save it for the end.
After the first half (around the 12:00 minute mark), take a minute to chat together:- In what ways does God show us how he loves us?
- What does the word confession mean to you?
- What is a sin?
- What were those rules that Brother Francis was talking about? How many were there? (Parents: We will cover the 10 Commandments again after the video).
At the end of the video:- What did Brother Francis mean about “washing the windows of your heart”?
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PART 2: God's rules - The 10 commandments
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Read over the 10 Commandments (God’s Rules) below.
- How easy are these to do?
- Which ones are more difficult?
- Think of ways that you can follow these rules, or maybe some ways that you might break the rules.
1. You shall honour no other god but me.
Think about God every day, put him first in everything you do. Remember to say your prayers
2. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
God’s name is Holy. Use his name in giving thanks and giving praise.
3. Remember to keep the Sabbath day Holy.
Go to Mass in-person (or watch online during a pandemic!), and let God know how much you love Him and are thankful for all you have. Make this time with God special.
4. Honour your father and your mother.
Obey your parents. Help out at home, always use kind words when speaking to your parents and be thankful for all they do for you.
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5. You shall not kill.
Treat people with respect. Don’t gossip or tell stories about other people. Value all that God has given you. The people, the animals and everything God has created.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
(Parents: Here is the part where your kid asks what adultery is. The easiest way to answer is to say that adultery is a word adults use when two people who are married break their promises to each other. You can elaborate when they are older.)
Respect your family, remember, your family is Holy.
7. You shall not steal.
Don’t take things that belong to others. Return things you borrow and treat them with respect.
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
Don’t tell lies or make up stories about other people. Always say good things about people.
9. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife.
Don’t be jealous of other friendships. Each person is wonderful in their own way. Be glad that we can have many friends to share our love and friendship with.
10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods.
Don’t be jealous of what other people have. Be thankful for what God has given you.
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PART 3: accidents, Mistakes, or sin?
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Do you know what the difference is between an accident, mistake and a sin?
An accident is something that happens not on purpose but it might hurt others.
A mistake is when we do something thinking we are doing the right thing but find out after it wasn’t the right thing to do.
A sin is when we do something on purpose that we know we shouldn’t do or when we don’t do something on purpose that we know we should do.Read over the situations below and discuss:
Is this an accident, mistake, or sin? -
a) Failing a test
Olivia doesn’t like doing math because she doesn’t always understand the questions. One afternoon after lunch Olivia’s teacher surprises the class with a quiz. Olivia is very nervous that she won’t do well. She reads over the 10 questions and tries her best. When they are done they go over the answers. Olivia has 6 wrong. She is embarrassed because it seems that everyone else in the class has done better than her. She is afraid to tell her parents. She doesn’t want to disappoint them.
Did Olivia commit a sin when she got 6 answers wrong?
Do you think God would be disappointed with her?
Is this an accident, mistake or a sin? -
B) Milk
You are sitting at the dinner table and you go to reach for something and knock over your glass of milk.
Is this an accident, mistake or sin?
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C) Let's Share
Sam and Tony are best friends. They share video games, controllers and other things a lot. One day Tony was having his cousin over and needed another controller, he asked Sam if he could borrow one. Sam said yes. While Tony and his cousin are playing with the controllers, one of the buttons comes off. They try to put it back on but it is clearly broken. Tony feels really bad about this. Maybe if he glues it back on Sam won’t notice?
Did Tony commit a sin when the controller got broken?
Should Tony tell Sam about the broken button?
Is this an accident, mistake or sin?
What if Tony glued it back on but wasn't truthful with Sam? -
D) The park
You go to the park with your parents, you see some kids making fun of a boy who doesn’t know how to ride a bike.
Do you offer to go over and help him ride the bike?
Do you walk away and pretend you didn’t see this?
Do you join in and make fun of him, geez, riding a bike is easy!
Which one of these solutions is a sin? -
answer Key:
A) Failing a Test: Mistake
B) Milk: Accident
C) Let's Share: Accident, unless we lie and tell Tony nothing happened everything is fine. That would be a sin.
D) The Park: Obviously joining in and making fun of him is a sin, but walking away and pretending you didn't see this is also a sin of omission, because we didn't do the right thing.
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PART 4: EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE & ACT OF CONTRITION
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Examine your heart
Before you go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), it helps to think back and remember any times that you have chosen to sin, walked down a wrong path, make a poor choice, broken one of God’s commandments, not listened to your conscience, or simply not been the best person you could be.
Take time to think about the questions and you will be ready to speak to the Priest. It’s hard for us to remember all the times we have sinned; that is why an examination of conscience is helpful. Sitting in a quiet place and thinking through these questions will help you to remember times you were not the best person you could be.
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Questions to reflect on
These questions may help you examine your conscience:
- Have I been a good friend?
- Do I obey my parents?
- Have I taken things that belong to other people?
- Do I cheat in school or at sports?
- Have I told lies?
- Do I take time to pray each day?
- Have I used God’s name in ways that are not appropriate
- Am I grateful for the many gifts that God has blessed me with?
Your answers to these questions will help you to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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Act of contrition
Brother Francis mentioned making an Act of Contrition in his video. We do this at the end of the Sacrament when the priest asks us if we know an Act of Contrition.
Have your child pick their favourite of the two options below. We encourage you and your child to memorize it, but don't worry... the priest will be there to help. You can also bring a printed copy if that helps.
Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
Have mercy on me, a sinner.
OR
Dear God, I am sorry for doing wrong. Please forgive me all my sins. I know you love me very much. Help me to love you in return and care for others as you do. Amen.
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PRAYERS TO TRY & TO LEARN
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LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
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HAIL MARY
Hail Mary, full of grace
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed are you
among women,
And blessed is the fruit
of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
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PRAYER OF PRAISE
Glory to the Father
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
As it was in the beginning,
is now and will be forever.
Amen.
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ACT OF CONTRITION
Jesus Christ,
Son of the living God,
Have mercy on me, a sinner.
OR
Dear God,
I am sorry for doing wrong. Please forgive me all my sins. I know you love me very much. Help me to love you in return and care for others as you do.
Amen.
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YOU ARE ALL DONE STEP 3!
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