Sunday School Update: Youth Confessions
Last year in Sunday School, we began teaching about the Mystery of Holy
Confession to all youth ages 2nd grade and up. We have books such as
Andrew’s First Confession and Making Things Right: The Sacrament of
Reconciliation Workbook as supplemental lessons. Included in each teacher’s
curriculum were times for each class to participate in this Mystery together.
The process of Youth Confessions is a simple one, the class stands on
the solea together, says the beginning prayers with Fr. Paul and then waits in
the back of the Cathedral with their class for their turn. The children
go up one by one, confess, the priest helps them along, and says the prayer of
forgiveness over the child.
Last year’s response was very positive. Unfortunately, some parents are
not familiar with the sacrament and have questions such as, “What does a
young child have to confess?”
I asked Micah Hirschy to help me address this valid concern:
“I am often asked what my thoughts are concerning young children and the mystery of Confession. Generally the question is accompanied with a comment about how a small child hasn't really
done anything yet to warrant the need for confession. I would, at least
in the case of the relatively young, agree that yes they have certainly not
done anything too "terrible". However, this approach to
confession is limiting. Confession is much more than sampling telling
ones sins. With this in mind I can think of three important reasons that
young children should go to confession.
1) For many of us
confession is something we see as a struggle, if in fact we give it any thought
at all. When a young person begins confessing at an early age they became
more comfortable with it. When they become adults it is not something
frightening or strange, but rather an integral element of their spiritual
journey.
2) Another important part of our life in Christ that is often neglected is our
relationship with a Spiritual Father. A Spiritual Father is not just someone who
hears confession, he is also a guide and support. A biological father teaches skills
we need to get along in life, the spiritual father also helps us grow and mature.
No one would dare to say that a father should not take an active role in a child's
development until they are at a certain age. Likewise, a Spiritual Father should
from an early age be seen as an important source of a child's growth and
development.
3) Finally, though it may be hard for some to understand, many
children, even the very young, struggle with painful realities of life such as
loss and fear. Even at a young age children despite inabilities to voice it, desire to
know how God can love and yet they hurt or suffer loss. Confession can be
important not just to find relief from the burden of sin, but also help us as we
encounter difficult existential questions about death, sickness, fear, anger, and
many other realities of life. "
I would encourage all youth and parents to take time to go to confession this year.
When God touches our lives with his words of forgiveness and love in the Sacrament
of Confession, it is a new beginning for us.
If you have any questions, please contact me or your Sunday School teacher.
Youth Confession Schedule is as follows –
Please pick up your child in the Cathedral around 12:30 p.m. on that day.
February 12th – 2nd Grade
February 26th – 3rd & 4th Grade
March 4th – 5th & 6th Grades
April 1st – 7th & 8th Grade
High School Confession times will be scheduled at a later date.
Thanks, Alexis Pappas
