Year 7
Reconciliation
Liturgy
Introduction:
Today we come together to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation. We all come to receive Jesus’ peace and forgiveness. It is a special time for all of us. A time when we are helped by God to get back on the right track, so we can be closer to Jesus.
Our celebrant today is Fr Matt.
Opening song: “This is the time” (from ‘This is the time’: Michael Mangan)
Opening Prayer: Celebrant
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord God of forgiveness, we ask that you bless each of us as we come to celebrate the new hope you offer through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In your mercy and love, heal us and bring us to fullness of life in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
(Please be seated)
Reading:
A reading from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians (3:12-15)
You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. The peace that Christ give is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is the peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful.
This is the word of the Lord.
All:Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm:
Response:Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord
Lord you bless everyone who obeys your law and who follows your commands with all their hearts.(R)
You have told us to obey your teachings always. (R)
Treat us with kindness, Lord, so that we may live and do what you say. Open our minds and let us discover the wonders of your law.(R)
Point out your rules to us, and we won’t disobey even one of them. Help us to understand your law; We promise to obey it with all our hearts. (R)
(Please Stand)
Verse before the Gospel
April
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
All: Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
I will rise and go to my father and tell him
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
All:Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Celebrant: A reading from the gospel according to Luke (15:11-24)
Jesus went on to say, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to him, ‘Father, give me now my share of the property.’ So the man divided the property between his two sons. After a few days the younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money. He went to a country far away, where he wasted his money in reckless living. He spent everything he had. Then a severe famine spread over that country, and he was left without a thing. So he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him out to his farm to take care of the pigs. He wished he could fill himself with the bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat. At last he came to his senses and said, ‘All my father’s hired workers have more than they can eat, and here I am, about to starve! I will get up and go to my Father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired workers.’ So he got up and started back to his father.
He was still a long way from home when his father saw him; his heart was filled with pity and he ran, threw his arms round his son, and kissed him. ‘Father,’ the son said, ‘I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.’ But the father called his servants: ‘Hurry!’ he said. ‘Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Then go get the prize calf and kill it, and let us celebrate with a feast! Because this son of mine was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.’ And so the feasting began.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
All:Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
(Please be seated)
Homily:
(Please stand)
Examination of Conscience:
Now we have time to reflect on the times we have turned our backs on God. Let us offer our prayers to Jesus and ask his forgiveness.
For the times when we haven’t listened to our parents and teachers.
All: Lord we are sorry.
For the times when we have been teasing, fighting or swearing at others.
All: Lord we are sorry.
For the times when we have stolen or taken things from others.
All: Lord we are sorry
For sometimes forgetting that you love us all the time, no matter what we do.
All: Lord we are sorry.
Rite of Reconciliation
Celebrant
Act of Repentance:
God our Father, we ask your forgiveness for the times we have not lived as Jesus taught. We are sorry for the times we have turned away from your love and the love of others. Welcome us back and give us your peace and healing. We ask this through Jesus your Son.
All:Amen
Our Father
(Please be seated)
Individual Confession
(Students proceed to individual Confession. After they have received the Sacrament the students move back to their places to do their Penance).