Submitted by
S. Daly

Age Group
7-13

Aim
To celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as a preparation for Easter

Faith Group
Christian
Catholic

Resources
The Act of Sorrow and Lamb of God written large
Areas of the school where priests can speak to individual children towards the end of the service
A tape of children's hymns to play while children are waiting in the hall to speak to a priest
A sheet of Sorry Prayers (see Ideas section) for children to say while waiting to see a priest

Time of Year
Lent

Other Details
If several priests are present, the parts can be shared amongst them
This would be possible in a school which is fed by a number of parishes
This service can be adapted for Advent, by changing just a few words

Script
HYMN Give me joy (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 190)

PRIEST
Peace and joy to the friends of Jesus, who gather here to ask forgiveness for their sins. Peace be with you all.

ALL
And also with you.

PRIEST
Father, we come to you with confidence. We know you understand us and accept us. You will forgive us. We come to you with memories of selfishness and sin. Heal us so that we can be more loving and forgiving.
Your forgiveness will make us strong. Amen.

ALL
Amen.

PRIEST
In the hymn we sang, we asked God to give us joy.
One thing which makes people joyful is when they find something that has been lost. Later, we will hear a Bible story about this, called The Lost Sheep.
We are the lost sheep, but we sometimes call Jesus a sheep - the Lamb of God. The lamb is a symbol of gentleness and beauty. Poets have often written about them.

CHILD
Little lamb, who made you?
Do you know who made you?
Who gave you life and made you feed
By the stream and in the mead?
Who gave you clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright?
Who gave you such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little lamb, who made you?
Do you know who made you?

Little lamb, I'll tell you,
Little lamb, I'll tell you.
He is called by your name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek and He is mild.
He became a little child.
I a child and you a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little lamb, God bless you!
Little lamb, God bless you!

PRIEST
In England, we have lots of good grass in fields surrounded by walls or hedges. Looking after sheep is not too difficult a job here.
But - where Jesus lived, the weather is hot and the ground is rocky.
Grass is thin and grows in small patches. There are no walls or hedges.
Shepherds have to stay with their sheep, to protect them from thieves and wild animals - and to stop them getting lost. They have to find water, shelter and grass for their flock.
This is why we sometimes also call Jesus the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd is caring and watchful. Jesus cares for us and protects us, providing us with what we need, like a good shepherd.

CHILD
How sweet is the shepherd's sweet lot!
From morning to evening he strays.
He shall follow his sheep all the day,
And his tongue shall be filled with praise.

For he hears the lamb's innocent call,
And he hears the ewe's tender reply.
He is watchful while they are at peace,
For they know that their shepherd is by.

PRIEST
Everyone is sometimes weak and sins. Some people are not really aware of how weak they are. People, who were themselves sinners, used to complain that Jesus talked to sinners. So he told them this story.

CHILD
If a good shepherd, who had 100 sheep, lost one of them, he would leave the other 99 and go looking for the missing one.
Having found it, he would put it joyfully on his shoulders and carry it home. He would invite all his friends and neighbours to a celebration and say,
"Isn't it marvellous, I've found my sheep that was lost."
In the same way, there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over 99 good men who have little need of repentance.

PRIEST
Everyone needs repentance though. Everyone has something they need to say sorry for - something that spoils their relationship with God and with others.
In silence now, let us think how we have said no to God and hurt God and others....

Imagine you are in a place you like....
let God be there with you....
tell him what you want to say sorry for....
be as honest as you can....
tell him the mean things you do....
the people you hurt....
the selfish things you do....
the times you have said no to him....
hear him saying, "I do not condemn you."....

The response is "We are sorry."
There are many times when we say no to God... Response
If we have been mean... Response
If we have told lies... Response
If we have stolen something... Response
If we have damaged something on purpose... Response
If we have been disobedient... Response
If we have been impatient... Response
If we have caused trouble at school... Response
If we have started rows at home... Response
If we have judged people harshly... Response
If we have spread gossip... Response
If we have been careless about saying our prayers... Response
If we have done anything to harm God's family... Response

Together, let us say sorry, with the Act of Sorrow...

ALL
0 my God, I thank you for loving me.
I am sorry for all my sins,
For not loving others and not loving you.
Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again.

PRIEST
Let us now say the prayer we say during Mass...

ALL
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
grant us peace.

PRIEST
May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon you, now and forever. Amen.

HYMN (one of these)
Peace, perfect peace by Kevin Mayhew (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 597)
Peace is flowing like a river (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 595)
The Lord's my Shepherd (Celebration Hymnal for Everyone number 706)

********************CONFESSIONS/BLESSINGS**************************