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:

1. Take a file folder, open fully. Fold the two short ends into the center. 
2. Opening it up again, you'll have a left flap, center, right flap. [[]]
3. The ribbon for their name and its meaning goes on the outside left flap or the back side.
4. The Examination of Conscience goes in the inside left flap.
5. 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.
6. The Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Holy Spirit prayers are pasted onto the inside right flap.
7. 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.
8. 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

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!

What is a Catholic Confession?

To order Brother Francis's "Forgiven" visit BrotherFrancisOnline.com

Other Links
Homegrown Catholics: The Soul Diet: Keepsakes, Quiet in the Pew, Celebrating Sacraments, and more
The Catholic Toolbox: Sacrament of Reconciliation
That Resource Site: Meeting Our Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation booklet
Sunday School Network: Hard to see the light through a sinful heart

Our Lady of Guadalupe

  Dec 12th this year is 12-12-2012!  It is also the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Today I'm writing about some of the projects I hope to do with my children tomorrow between the chaos that is our life. Below is a picture of me outside the shrine that hosts the tilma worn by Juan Diego. That pilgrimage to Mexico was 27 years ago and I was just a little girl, but I remember it with much detail. Thanks to my parents for the many pilgrimages we've been on. I hope to share the photos and perhaps another trip with them someday soon!


10 Family-Friendly Projects to Celebrate!
1. OLG PENDANT: Trace OLG onto shrinydink paper, color and shrink for a necklace pendant.
2. OLG SHRINE: Buy a small, wood box w/ attached lid at craft store. Fit a OLG prayer card or image inside bottom. Decorate like a shrine with glitter, silk flowers, gems, etc inside and out. Display open like a frame/shrine.
3. OLG FINGERPUPPET: Cut out felt - 3" circle of gold, red dress, blue veil w/ embroidered stars, peach/tan face and hands, brown hair. Layer and attach with tacky glue. [Or buy one at Sanctus Stitches]
4. READ ABOUT OLG: Online TruthsoftheImage.org by KofC.
5. JUAN A SOMBRERO?: Make a sombrero! Directions by FirstPalette.com  OR Kaboose.com
6. ROSES FROM OLG: Hand out roses to people in the Adoration Chapel or anywhere in town. You might include a holy card.
7. OLG TILMAS: Print out an image of OLG and color it. Take a paper grocery bag, cut off the narrow sides, cut a hole in the bottom for your head, and glue on the image you colored. Extra: Curl up the bottom edge and glue on fake (or real) rose petals. [detailed directions link]
8. FELIZ NAVIDAD: Celebrate with Mexican Food, or visit CatholicCuisine.blogspot.com for OLG themed ideas like the tilma tortilla with ham roses, sombrero cookies, crescent cookies or croissants, etc. Shower of Roses also put together ideas for a Tea with OLG. We might simplify by making our favorite Taco Salad (Taco Ground Beef, Crushed Doritos, Western Dressing, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Green Onions, Olives, Shredded Cheese all mixed together).
9. JUAN A PINATA?: Want to get messy? Make your own piñata and stuff it with OLG's stars (star shaped candies), blue mantles (blue taffy), and roses (red foil wrapped chocolate kisses).
10. PRAY TO OLG: Take time to pray the Rosary, or head over to your church for Mass. Ours will be a Spanish Mass which would be an interesting experience for the children!



Homegrown Catholic's FAVORITE LINKS
Catholic Heritage Curricula's How to Draw Our Lady of Guadalupe
Loyola Press' OLG Coloring Sheet
Homeschool Goodies O+L+G Feast Day LinkUp 2010
Catholic Mom's OLG Lesson Plans
Catholic Icing's Juan Diego and OLG Feast Day Ideas
Joy Filled Family's OLG Resources
Yahoo Voices OLG Lesson Plans
Blossoming Joy's OLG Links & Activities
Modest Mommies Etsy Treasury: Mary, Mother of God has a few items for sale that are Our Lady of Guadalupe inspired. I will also be sewing lap blankets with Our Lady of Guadalupe fleece, for sale by request (limited number). I like the "Guada-Loopy" Blankee for little toddlers!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day

Some call him Santa Claus, which is Santa=Saint and Claus is short for Nicklaus. Today (Dec 6th) Saint Nicholas, a Bishop of Myra, visits families around the world with the spirit of giving. He fills your shoes or stockings with delightful goodies, which may include chocolate, oranges and coins. He comes today, because Christmas Day is reserved for celebrating Jesus' Birthday! He comes from up north, in the realms of Heaven! Bearing gifts for the children who believe in him so dearly and follow in his footsteps of kindness and charity.



The week before Saint Nicholas comes, we write our PETITIONS to ST. NICK. (instead of letters to Santa). He can intercede for us with our prayers, because a saint is about our connection to God not fulfilling our material desires. This fulfills our handwriting and spelling for the week!

 And we love to visit Saint Nicholas, usually at our parish. It may be helpful to tell your St. Nick/Santa that you celebrate with stockings on Dec 6th, so when the kids say "Thanks for the gift" or "We're excited for you to come" that they're not asking for Christmas Day gifts.

St. Nick is let in our home with a SPECIAL KEY hung outside our door. He tiptoes where the stockings are hung and all are sleeping. He leaves us a candy treat, like St Nicholas Coins, candy cane and a small gift. Some families like to put their shoes outside instead, and that's okay too.





What can you do on Saint Nicholas Day?
* You might like my Mini Stocking Directions for activities, advent calendar, etc
* That morning, open your stockings and have a special brunch or breakfast. We change it up every year. [Catholic Cuisine ideas here]

  

*Blessing of the Candy Canes (Pinterest)

Saint Nicholas Day Blessing of Candy Canes

Gracious God,

In the spirit of Saint Nicholas we turn to you and ask for your blessing on these candy canes. May their flavor sweeten our hearts with compassion and kindness. May their shape remind us to be shepherds of grace and generosity. May their bright colors attune us to the delightful sights and sounds of this sacred season. Inspire us to be like Saint Nicholas, who brought comfort and jo to children and their families.  We ask this in the name of the Holy Child, Jesus, whose coming we await with anticipation and love.

Amen.

*Make St. Nicholas Crafts like this one with wood tongue depressers, or paint him on a wood peg doll!

[Directions for making Pocket Friends]

*Put up your Advent Calendar if you haven't already!

*Host a Jesse Tea Party

SEE MORE IDEAS ON MY HGC PINTEREST BOARD
https://www.pinterest.com/HGCatholics/advent-christmas/


* Read more online or in a book about St. Nicholas

* Watch Veggie Tales St. Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving


Read old posts about our traditions
* Homegrown Catholics: St. Nicholas Day Traditions
* Homegrown Catholics: Feast of St. Nicholas

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Dec 8th marks the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. This is not the conception of Jesus, it is the conception of Mary to St. Anne & Joachim. She was conceived without sin! This is a big deal, because this doctrine recognizes the fact that Mary was born pure, without original sin, a perfect vessel for the Christ Child. Here are some simple activities you can do with your family this weekend to celebrate!

Read this article on American Catholic about how this teaching came about. I find it interesting that it took some time for the faithful to agree upon her conception without sin, while it now seems so obvious to us now. This is a great example of how the Fathers of our Church have brought forth the teachings of the Catholic Faith with such care.

Embroider St. Anne and Mary on a dishcloth for your kitchen.

Print pattern and read more about Faith in Embroidery at Modest Mommies

BAKING COOKIES

Catholic Culture.org has an article about "Celebrating the Feast… in the home." It hints at making Gingerbread cookies to recall the sweet fragrance of Mary. I'd say this is a good day to do all the cookie baking! Visit Catholic Cuisine for the St. Nick Gingerbread Men (feast Dec 6th) and more Catholic kitchen ideas!
*Catholic Cuisine: Immaculate Conception
*Catholic Cuisine: Saint Nicholas

Make a paper Mary statue.

Directions and Free Printables here: Homegrown Catholics - Mary's Little Crowns

Read Immaculate Mary in your free Catholic ABCs book

Find this free printable and more at Homegrown Catholics - Quiet in the Pew

This is also a great opportunity to talk to your children about modesty, chastity and being pure.
> What Would Mary Wear (WWMW)??
Little girls would enjoy making a Modest Mandy (Directions @ Modest Mommies)

*For those who live near me, you can buy a "Pocket Friends" kit for $5. Makes 10 dolls. Great stocking stuffer!

>Recommended Books:
AGES 4-12
The Princess & The Kiss, The Squire & The Scroll books & guide by Jennie Bishop
His Little Princess, His Mighty Warrior books by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Tea & Cake with the Saints, Sewing with St. Anne, and Tin Cups & Tinder by Alice Cantrell
AGES 9-14
All Things Girl series & guide, or All Things Guy by Teresa Tomeo
Olivia's Gift by Nancy C Belanger
AGES 13-25
Theology of the Body by Evert OR West
Real Love by Mary Beth Bonacci
Extreme Makeover: Women Transformed by Christ, not Conformed to the World by Teresa Tomeo