Submitted by
S. Daly

Age Group
8-12

Aim
To prepare for Easter by examining our consciences

Faith Group
Christian

Time of Year
Lent

Script
Celebrant: The peace and joy of God Our Father and the Lord Jesus be with you all.

All: And also with you.

Celebrant: God Our Father, we are your children. You watch over us with loving care. Even when we do wrong and turn our backs on you, you do not forget us but you go on loving us and we are glad. Watch over us every day and keep us safe from all evil.

All: Amen.

________

Reading from the Word of God
Introduction to the reading:
The prodigal son did not live in the way Jesus asks us to live, but his father went on loving him. God Our Father goes on loving us even when we forget to live as Jesus asks. He waits patiently and lovingly for us to return to his friendship again.

Child: Reading (Adaptation of the reading of the prodigal son - Luke 15:11)
Once, long ago, there lived a wealthy man
and he had land and riches of great worth.
He had two sons who were his pride and joy.
He loved them more than anything on earth.

One day the younger took his share of wealth
and left. The father watched his son depart.
He watched until he disappeared from view
and a great love was heavy in his heart.

The father was so sad each time he heard
the stories that his neighbours spread around.
Yet, still the father's love was deep and strong.
"Now he is lost," he said, "but he will be found

Each day he waited for his son's return
saying, "He will come back, of that I'm sure."
And then, one joyful day, he saw far off,
his son returning, dressed in rags and poor.

The father rushed to meet him eagerly.
He held him tightly, looked on him and smiled.
And everybody marvelled when they saw
the great love of the father for his child.

________

Examination of conscience
The prodigal son did not live as Jesus asked. Sometimes we also forget to live as Jesus asks. Let us search our hearts to discover when we have failed in this way at home, at school, with others.

Celebrant: Were you mean? (Silence)
Were you nasty to others? (Silence)
Did you tell lies? (Silence)
Did you steal? (Silence)
Did you damage things? (Silence)
Were you quarrelsome? (Silence)
Did you start rows? (Silence)
Were you disobedient? (Silence)
Did you try to forgive wrongs that were done to you? (Silence)
Did you try to bring peace at home? (Silence)
Did you try to be more patient? (Silence)
Did you try to control your temper (Silence)
Did you pay attention when you were saying your prayers? (Silence)
Did you try hard to pray at Mass? (Silence)

Let us all confess our sins in the words of the Confiteor.

All: I confess to almighty God,
and to you my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done,
and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin,
all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Celebrant: There were many times when we didn't live as Jesus asked.

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: If there were times when we were mean...

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: If there were times when we told lies...

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: If there were times when we stole...

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: If there were times when we damaged things...

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: If there were times when we were disobedient...

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: If there were times when we failed to bring peace at home...

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: If there were times when we lost our patience with others...

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: If there were times when we forgot to say our prayers, or were careless when we were praying...

All: We are sorry.

Celebrant: Together let us say "sorry" in the words of 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.

Celebrant: God Our Father, we love you. You are our Father. We are your children. We are sorry for not living as Jesus asked. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

All: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

________

Final blessing
The Lord Jesus wants us all to live in his way. He sends us the Holy Spirit to help us live in the way of love, forgiveness and peace.

Celebrant: Go in peace to love one another.

All: Amen

Celebrant: Go in peace to forgive one another.

All: Amen.

Celebrant: Go in peace to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

All: Amen.

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

All: Amen.

________

Hymn: The Spirit lives to set us free by D. Lundy (Hymns Old and New number 547)