Homegrown Catholics: First Reconciliation Activities

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit while teaching my children (and a class) all about Reconciliation I have come up with some ideas to share! Please note I'm just a mom, not a theology major or religious education director. Please review materials before distributing. All of these ideas are free to print for home or school use. If you share these ideas, please remember to acknowledge me with a link to this page. Thank you!

2023 Update: I have created a brand new blog

all about First Reconciliation I'd love for you to see

which has these ideas and more. Visit

https://homegrowncatholics.blogspot.com/2023/01/first-reconciliation-lessons.html

Faith Folder

Creating a special folder full of spiritual information is SO helpful in the process. One child had a file folder lapbook, another a note book. Each is decorated by the child, with things pasted inside to help them remember prayers and other things related to Reconciliation. A notebook is a great idea, because it can be used as a journal. Encourage them to daily add 2 things they've done well and 2 things they did not. Before confessing, they can look back on the list.

Click to Print your lap-book pieces. It includes name label (for meaning of name, bible verse), important prayers, Ten Commandments, and more. Pages for one student, or pages for multiple students included in the file.

Note: The 10 Commandments for Kids in this lap-book was created by me for my children. You may decide to use the 10 Commandments verbatim in place of my version, which I do not have avail to print. Also some churches may teach a different Act of Contrition.

Here are the basics for assembly:

Take a file folder, open fully. Fold the two short ends into the center.
Opening it up again, you'll have a left flap, center, right flap. [[]]
The ribbon for their name and its meaning goes on the outside left flap or the back side.
The Examination of Conscience goes in the inside left flap.
The Center is for the Reconciliation, Ten Commandments for Kids, and Act of Contrition. Print and cut the prayer/words and glue them onto the inside center panel. Chose either the color image or outline image to color, then tape that on top of the matching prayer/words so they can "life the flap" to expose the prayer.
The Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Holy Spirit prayers are pasted onto the inside right flap.
The empty flap or backside is a good place to put stickers when they practice or memorize their prayers. The whole folder is great for taking home worksheets.
If you print out the Ten Commandment match-up cards included in the file, those can go in an envelope glued to the folder. (I had a hard time figuring out images for those, so use at your own discretion)

A Taste of Confession
I just love how this project turned out. I have children who process information through hands on and senses. Now they can associate a taste for each part of their reconciliation experience.

1. Examination of Conscience: Hot Seat Cinnamon
2. Reconciliation: A Sour Patch Sorry
3. Contrition: Prayer Pretzels
4. Penance: Refreshing Acts Mints
5. Forgiveness: Melt Away Our Sins Chocolates

Another food idea is to serve ALL WHITE FOOD or treats, as a symbol of purity. You can see my Sacramental Cakes at our Michalek Kitchen blog.

Wipe Board

Decorate a sheet using the words "God wipes away our sins." Then laminate it. Ask the kids to draw all over it and wipe it clean again and again.

Make a Faith Aid Kit

Decorate a canvas mini tote, then add the items listed below along with a copy of the description.

JESUS HEALS
The Bandage reminds us that Jesus heals the wounds of the heart.
The Cotton Balls remind us that Jesus blots away our sins.
The Tissue reminds us that Jesus wipes away our tears.
The Antiseptic Wipes remind us that Jesus cleanses our hearts.
The Lip Balm reminds us that Jesus softens our hard, dry hearts.
The Holy Water reminds us that Jesus blesses us.
*as seen on More Than Enough blog

Lord Have Mercy

While reviewing the parts of the Mass, I made this coloring sheet for the children to color and hang at home. Hoping they'd see the words and remember to participate at Mass more often. To make this, I typed up the text and added an image of Christ from an online coloring page. Here is a version I created using my own art for you to print.

Kneeler for Reflection

"When life gets too hard to stand.... kneel."

Whether you use this as a place for a Time Out, a place for prayer/rosary, or in teaching how to make a good confession - your child will enjoy this DIY kneeler. Dollar store garden pad and puffy paints is all it takes! (inspired by Catholic Icing's post)

Ten Commandments Match-up
I'll be honest, this is a work in progress and not my favorite. Feel free to use the idea as a starting point for your own cards. The 10 commandments mean such different things to children, it was hard to choose an image to convey it broadly.

Carve a Cross
Need: Soap bar, plastic knife and toothpick
Directions and picture on All Things Beautiful blog.

Ten Commandment Tablets
Ten Commandments Tablets craft

Directions on Crayola.com

Sin vs Virtue

Buckets of Grace

First Reconciliation Gift Ideas
*Rosary or Rosary Bracelet
*Crucifix for Room (or kit to make a cross rosary hanger)
*Bible
*Craft Kit: above activities or First Communion Banner kit
*Quiet in the Pew: Catholic Mass Seek and Find Cards

Arma Dei - Equipping Catholic Families has wonderful faith-learning products and freebies. My favorite is converting ordinary games to Catholic learning tools!