Session 3 and 4Reconciliation

and Discipleship

** you will need your Bible for these sessions

We Gather and Focus: (2 min) Welcome to the Take Home Version of Session 3 and 4. We ask you to open your booklets and turn to page 20 as we center ourselves for our Opening Prayer:

Organizer Chart:

You need to hand in: - All Documents Handed In - Recent Wallet sized picture handed in by Parent Session

- Students – Continue working on your volunteer hours - Work on your take home questions – complete by Rehearsal and bring it with you to go over

- Write your letter to Fr Mirek Kostarzewski – question 1 and 2 on your take home exam

- Write your letter to your Sponsor and give it to them before Confirmation- Parents write your letter to your child and give it to them before Confirmation- Sponsors write your letter to your student (Candidate) and give to them at Confirmation

- Bring Your Confirmation Booklet, a snack and something to drink for yourselves to every Session- Next Session:in April is for Parents and Sponsors – choose Mon April 20 or Wed April 22 @ 7:00pm- Retreat: Sat May 23: check calendar and website for details Confirmation Mass is Sun. May 31, 2020 – check calendar for the times

“Tell me a Story”

We would like the adults to share: 1) How as adults do you know what is right and wrong? Who taught you? What were you taught about sin? Is sin easy or difficult to think about? (reference page 21)

2) As a parent/adult, what are your hopes for your child/student for the future? (reference page 29)

Session 3: ReconciliationBuilding on What We Know

Knowing Right from Wrong:Turn to page 22 and read the story. When you’re done, answer the question:

1) What was this story about? (ask for answers) - John lying to his teacher, his parents and himself.

- Cheating and lying is actually breaking 1 or 2 of the 10 Commandments. Fr Catfish will tell us more about it when we watch the video a little bit later.

2) By making this choice, what relationships has John hurt or damaged?

Let’s share our answers with the people around us. We will give you a few minutes and then we will ask someone at your table to share. (ask each table) Don’t forget to write your answers in your book- the damage John has caused by not being honest with his parents- the damage John has caused by not being honest with his teacher- the breach of trust John has created- the damage John has caused in his relationship with God by lying

Although this seemed like a simple solution to John’s problem, it managed to damage relationships with everyone involved, including God. Most importantly, it raised the issue of trust. Lying and not following the Ten Commandments can damage our relationship with others and with God.

Here is a prayer that we can use; when we do something wrong and we want to make things better. Let’s say this prayer together.This is very similar to the Act of Contrition that you can make when you go to Confession and receive Reconciliation.God gives us guidance to live a healthy life both inside and out. The Ten Commandments are guidelines to how we should live our

lives. If each one of us followed the commandments given to us by God more often, the world would probably be a better place. God does not expect us to be perfect every day, but He does ask us to try and when we make mistakes, to be sincere and ask for forgiveness.

The Ten Commandments (Part of your Take Home Exam ( Question # 3) Fill in the blanks (Pg 23 of student booklet) 1) I am the Lord your God: You shall not have other gods before me.2) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.3) Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.4) Honor your father and your mother.5) You shall not kill.6) You shall not commit adultery.7) You shall not steal.8) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9) You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

10) You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.Watch Fr Catfish’s Ten Catholic School Commandments: - Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0llSKyraXr8

Breakdown of the Ten Commandments:

1) Only 1 true God – God should be at the top of your list along with yourself and your family.

2) Using God’s name in Vain – means not using God’s name in swearing eg: “O My God!” – unless you are actually praying

3) Keep Holy the Lord’s Day –– a day of rest and taking time off from your busy schedule and talk to God for a few minutes. We can go to church and listen to God’s Word also.

4) Honor your parents – love and respect your Mom and Dad and other people in your life; just as they love and respect you. Listen to your parents and teachers.

5) Not killing is not the only thing. Most of us don’t hurt with a weapon, but killing one’s spirit is it any different? Hurting someone with words and actions can be harmful also. Never hurt anyone through your actions or words. Talking behind someone’s back, saying mean things about them or treating them badly is also part of this commandment.

6) Not Commit adultery – cheating, but not just a husband and wife, it includes cheating on your friends, your significant other and even yourself. Example: wanting to spend time with 1 friend over another or pushing a friend away so that you can spend

time with someone else. Always be faithful and respectful to yourself, your family and your friends. You are worth it, don’t be so hard on yourself or others.

7) Not stealing – Don’t take anything that is not yours. Don’t cheat on your exams.- Not just stealing something that is against the law, but taking away the goodness in others and treating them poorly.8) Not to bear False witness – talking badly about someone else, making things up to make yourself look better. Always tell the truth and being honest with yourself and others.

9) Covet your neighbor’s wife – what if you aren’t married? Again wanting something that doesn’t belong to you. What if you have a group of friends, but you want this friend to be yours and not someone else’s? Is this not the same thing? Be happy with the relationships you have. Try not to be jealous of other people.

10) Covet your neighbor’s goods. Be happy with the belongings you have. Try not to wish for and want what others have, thinking that what you have in not good enough and that you want more. Recognizing that it is not just taking something that doesn’t belong to you, but wishing that you had what they had.

**This is something to think about. The Ten Commandments are not just for some “old guy” Moses who brought down these tablets for the people 1,000’s of years ago. They might look like old words, but they are still real today. Remember these word and actions are still the best path to follow because God gave them to us with His “Body, Mind and Spirit”!!

Teaching: Examination of Conscience (pg 24)What does it mean?

Examination: - to look closely or analyze

Conscience: - is what helps us to make decisions.

St Paul says it is “God’s law written on our hearts” (Romans 2:15)

So, this means that the Examination of Conscience is the process by which we consider and explore the choices that we have made and the consequences that result from our choices.Think about and consider the choices you have made in the last few days and reflect on these in light of what we have heard in the Ten Commandments.

Using the 10 Commandments as your guide, write three questions that explore the choices you have made in light of what God asks us to do in the commandments.

How does God want us to live our lives?Begin your questions with DO I or HAVE I?(create 3 questions on pg 24 of your booklet, like a mini Examination of Conscience)An example would be to write down --Do I only say “O God”… in prayer or at other times?” OR Have I been honest with my friends about how I feel and how do I take steps to do something about it?These are for you and you only, you do not need to share these with others. Remember that the 10 Commandments are not necessarily to be taken in the literal sense. We have already discussed the deeper understanding.As Pop Francis said, “How many things take the place of God in my life each day?”

The Story of the Prodigal Son (please read directly from the Bible)

We are now going to read the story of the Prodigal Son.Jesus tells the story of a man who has two sons and how each of them act and react to each other.The purpose of this reading is to emphasize the importance of reconciliation in our lives - of knowing

that God is always waiting for us to return when we wander away.(Luke 15: 11-32) – find it in your Bible

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke, Glory to you, O Lord,

at the end of the reading: The Gospel of the Lord. Response: Praise to you, Lord Jesus ChristHave a brief discussion about the reaction of the father towards his son.

- Reinforce that no matter how many times we have failed to live our lives as God would like us to, God is always there with open arms, waiting for us to return.

- How do we return to God? By saying sorry, accepting and forgiving and through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Why is Reconciliation such a important sacrament?- It restores our damaged relationship with God.- It gives us a clean slate on which to begin again.- It can be celebrated over and over again.

Page 25 – Simple Act of Contrition – to say together

We all want to hear our heavenly Father say, “Your sins are_______________________”. (pg25)

(Forgiven)

Why is this reading important for people who are thinking about Confirmation?Everyone will have an opportunity for forgiveness. At the retreat you will have an opportunity to receive Reconciliation with one of the priests. If you can’t make it to the retreat, please set up a time to go to Reconciliation so that your heart is ready to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

(see “Catholic Parent Know How” Brochure – Preparing for Confirmation – in your package)

Choose 1 video to explain Why Catholic Confess their Sins to a Priest?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfZkq7BABJM

Sacrament of Reconciliation Explained (Video Catechism) 6:06 min

OR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5-vu6A58E

Sacraments 101: Penance (why we confess) Busted Halo 5:09 min

Face 2 FACE: - Internet TECHtalk (pg 26)Remember the Techtalk tags from Session 1 and Session 2, well now you have 2 more to look at and explore on the internet.You as students can talk about these Keychains with your parents on your way home and check them out before we meet again.

My Thoughts Review

(page 26 in Student Booklet – please complete)1. How does knowing that God is always ready to forgive your sins

help you as you grow in faith?

2. How does knowing that God is always ready to forgive your sins make your feel?

We will give you a few moments to think about these answers and please take the time to write your thoughts down before the retreat.

(Break time to have a snack, go to the washroom and have a drink of water)

- The next session is Session 4

Session 4: DiscipleshipSession #4. Please look at page 27 on Discipleship.Have a look at the book. What do the pictures seem to mean?1) keep our environment clean2) Helping those in need3) going to church and listening to God’s word.

It’s about being part of a larger community and giving back to the community. Jesus calls all of us to be Disciples.We have already completed the Opening Prayer, the Organizer Chart and the Tell Me a Story so we move to page 30.

Building on What We Know: A Life Well Lived (page 30 of your Student Booklet)Let’s move into the future, maybe in a time machine.Imagine that you are celebrating your 80th birthday! All your family and friends are gathered together to help make this special occasion.Think-Pair- Share (think about your ideas, write them down, share with others)What 3 good things would you hope guests would say about your life?

Write them in the starbursts. (pg 30)

God Has a Plan!

The next 3 Scripture quotes appear on page 31 of your booklet. Learning to be disciples is how we learn to live the grace we receive in Confirmation. Together, let’s explore this quotes to see what plan God has for each one of us.Read each quote aloud and then discuss it. (pg 31)

Micah 6:8 How does God want us to live our lives? (reference pg 31)

- to do JUSTICE- to love KINDNESS- to walk HUMBLY with God

Jeremiah 29:11 What is God asking us to do in this verse? (reference pg 31)

- God says, “I have a plan for you.”- to TRUST in God’s plan- Recognize that this plan is for your FUTURE and your HAPPINESS

Psalm 139:13-14 How long has God had a plan for you?- from before you were born GOD KNEW YOU- God created us and we are WONDERFULLY made!

God has created us in his own image and wants us to continually strive to be more like him in all we do and say. God wants us to be his DISCIPLES. He wants us to see him in everyone and everything.

God’s Work! Our Hands!We are so fortunate that we have been

given this gift.

The LORD’S PRAYER: The Lord’s Prayer is perhaps one of the best known of all Christian prayers. This is to help deepen our understanding of what this prayer is really asking us to do. Jesus gave us this prayer not only to teach us how to pray, but to teach us how to love our lives.

We are now going to watch a YouTube video on a young man’s conversation with God when he goes to say his prayers. This video is from Skit Guys. They have lots of free video’s that you can watch, just like Busted Halo. Try a few of them out at home. While we are watching this video, have a look at page 32 of your booklet.Video: The Lord’s Prayer – Skit Guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g0vKqR2dik

The Teaching: The Lord’s Prayer (reference pg 32/33) (pg 74 leaders book)

As a large group we are going to discuss the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) and look at a deeper meaning and not just the words we speak. Remember what the video talked about.

Our Father: Not just Jesus’ father, but the Father of each and everyone of us.

Who art in heaven: God is in Heaven, but He is also with us each day of our lives

Hallowed be thy name: Hallowed means to make Holy. We honor and respect God and his Holy name.

“Holy is Your name”

Thy Kingdom come: We pray for and work towards the kingdom here on earth, even as we wait for the joy of our heavenly kingdom.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven: This is where we ask God to help us carry out His will through Body/Mind/Spirit“I am prepared to listen for God’s voice in prayer”

“I want to live my life the way God asks me to do”

This one is to be filled in on page 33 of your booklet

Give us this day our daily bread:God can give us all we need – both material and spiritual blessings. Remember these are our needs and not necessarily our wants. Again in all aspects of God – Body/Mind/Spirit“God will provide me with the strength to live my life”

This one is to be filled in on page 33 of your booklet also.

And forgive us our trespasses: We know that we will mess up again and again – and we ask for God’s forgiveness, just like we ask for forgiveness from others.

“God does forgive us for the things we have done wrong”

As we forgive those who trespass against us: Just as God forgives us for the things we have done wrong, we need to forgive those who have hurt us or done things wrong.

And lead us not into temptation:God, please help us to stay on the right path – guide us away from wrongdoing“God helps me to make the right decisions”“God helps me avoid things that will harm me or others”

This one is the 3rd text box to be filled in on page 33 of your booklet

But deliver us from evil: keep us from falling into bad ways. We want to follow you God.

Amen: Yes, I believe!

Face2Face and My Thoughts: (reference pg 34)Many reference is Scripture, including the Lord’s Prayer, show us how God wants us to live our lives. Think of one area where your family is an example of good discipleship and one area where you could do better.

Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer not only to teach us how to pray, but teach us how to live.You can always talk to a family member or friend about these conversations. You can even text or skype your Sponsor and ask these questions.

Face 2 FACEHow can you better live your lives as disciples of Christ?Example: “I can try and be more patient with people in my live who I find difficult to deal with”

My Thoughts (reference pg 34)How is prayer a model for how we are to live

as disciples of Jesus? Example: I can try to follow the model of forgiveness that Jesus teaches in the Lord’s Prayer.

Discussion Questions (attached to e-mail)They are labeled “Continuing Your Faith Journey Session 3 and 4”

-please take the time complete any of your booklet that you haven’t had an opportunity to complete.- please share with your family and Godparent/Sponsor the “Continuing Your Faith” sheet.- please use your FAC2Face and TECHtalk tags in the next few weeks.

- Remember the next Group session is not until the Retreat Date: May 23- Parents and Sponsors you have a session to attend either April 20 or 22.

Before our Closing Prayer we have a few thoughts to Share with You!

Evangelizing Thoughts:We know that God is always ready to forgive us.What a GIFT this is.

I want to be more like Jesus in all I say and do.

Think about it:How will you live a good life?

Please join us in the Closing Prayer.

We begin in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

See you at the Retreat!

Continuing Your Faith Journey Session #3 and 4

Make Lasting Impressions with Great Conversations

Activity to be shared with your Sponsor, Parents, and other family members at home.

It doesn’t always need to be a long discussion; a short, quick “What do you think?’

is sometimes very thought-provoking and memorable.

Most importantly, take turns sharing thoughts, memories, past experiences and future hopes together, and have some fun getting to know this side of each other better.

Sharing Items: (feel free to add your own)

1. How does knowing that God is ALWAYS ready to forgive your sins make you feel?

2. Many reference in Scripture, including the Lord’s Prayer, show us how God wants us to live. Think of one area where your family is an example of good discipleship and one area what you could improve upon. How can you better live your life as a disciple of Christ?

3. How is the Lord’s Prayer a model for how we are to live as disciples of Jesus?