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to get back to basics of Catholic education

Thanks for the link ... looks like a wonderful resource!

Tomorrow night is the last time I will be with my confirmandi. The DRE, suggesting that we spend some time discussing the Sacrament of Reconciliation (they MUST go to confession on Tuesday), gave me a copy of the book they use with the 4th graders. So, I opened to the first page and begin to read .....

As you prepare for your child's First Confession it's important to look at these different images of Confession and also to look at the truth about the sacrament of Reconciliation.

You and your partner will have your own personal impressions ......

My jaw dropped when I read that sentence. I was planning to assigne two commandments to each group of 4 and have them examine their consciences against them. In perusing the church's book, I came across this paragraph on Examination of Conscience.

In the light of Christ's life we can then turn to our own life. It's not ver helpful to try to remember everything - some people spend hours before they go to confession trying to recall every fault and failing. Or sometimes we spend ages trying to think of the best was of expressing our sins so that we we don't appear worse than we really are. God isn't interested in how good a memory we have or how many failings we can discover in ourselves. He's interested only in restoring us, in being reconciled with us in love and healing.

Puhlease!!!! Padre Pio had the gift of reading men's souls and held nothing back. I hate this diocese!

Please help me through this week. It will be a painful once since my daughter won't be there amongst the candidates. Each time I think about it, I start crying. Not only is it patently absurd to postpone Confirmation to the age of 17, my pastor never even picked up the phone to give her a call after I apprised him of her decision. He saw how upset I was .... nada! I hate this diocese.

Please help me through this week. It will be a painful once since my daughter won't be there amongst the candidates. Each time I think about it, I start crying. Not only is it patently absurd to postpone Confirmation to the age of 17, my pastor never even picked up the phone to give her a call after I apprised him of her decision. He saw how upset I was .... nada! I hate this diocese.

Of course, you have my prayers, but I feel compelled to tell you that as one who made Confirmation at 17 (due to a series of moves), it was the best thing that I could have done. The 12 &13 year olds in the class were clueless. I am one who believes that since marriage is not allowed until 18, there is no reason to Confirm so young. And the fact that your daughter wants mote time to think about it is a good sign. This means she takes it seriously.

NYer. My rosary tonight will be for you and your daughter. Please know that I too rejected the Church at your daughter's age and never made my Confirmation until I was 26 - after I was married. You have done your best and surrounded her with all that she needs to know the Truth. You have done your job. The rest is up to Him.

Your diocese is appalling. I can't believe they still have those kids making their confession in 4th grade - I thought that had been stopped everywhere. And partners?!?! --- OMG. That is just bull bleep. But we don't want to offend, do we???

Wait a second, Penance in 4th? That's supposed to come before First Communion. And what is wrong with the list of sins in the Catechism and examining the conscience against it? Why make it more complicated than it needs to be?

BTW, I waited half an hour in line last night for Confession, and there was quite a line behind me. We also got a homily on Confession this morning.

Honestly, you all need new bishops. I'll keep you in my prayers.