CELEBRATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS

THIS WEEK!
Tuesday, February 9
6:30 p.m. in the main church at STA

Wednesday, February 10  
6:30 p.m. in the church at SJ

These two identical services are for all children in the Sacramental Preparation Program and their families. This is a sacramental penance service that will mark the conclusion of the children’s study of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The short service, which will include Scripture, a brief Examination of Conscience and the Act of Contrition, will conclude with individual confessions for both children and their parents. Several priests will be available each night.

• At each service it will be possible to go to confession behind a screen or face to face.
• At each site, one priest will be hearing confessions apart from, but in sight of participants; this may benefit children who wish to stay in sight of their parents.
• Parents have asked if they may accompany their child into the confessional. If parents wish, they may take their child into the confessional and introduce him/her to the priest; however confessions themselves, to be valid, must be private.

We make this a very age-appropriate experience for the children. The service itself will last only ten or fifteen minutes. After each child’s confession is concluded, and penances have been done (if appropriate), children may light a vigil light at the foot of the Pascal candle, and the family may go home.

The theme of the celebration is “Child of the Light”. We want the children to realize that they were created to reflect the Light of Christ.