sacraments Archives - Amazing Catechists

Examination of Conscience for Kids

Like us adults, in order for children to experience the freedom only found in Jesus Christ, they need the sacrament of Reconciliation. But they need our help to prepare for this precious, soul-cleansing meeting with their loving Lord.

I received this superb Examination of Conscience for kids from a colleague–educator and popular speaker Barbara Falk.

There are many excellent children’s resources available online, but I thought this one was particularly good for use with young children. Barbara holds the copyright–so please do not sell it–but she gave me permission to share it widely for everyone’s use.

Here it is!

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOR CHILDREN

1.    I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. YOU SHALL NOT HAVE OTHER GODS BESIDE ME.
–    Do I speak ( PRAY ) to God every day? : when I wake up, before meals, before going to sleep.
–    As soon as I wake up, do I give ( OFFER ) Him my school work and all my day?
–    Do I remember to THANK God for the good things I have done or received?
–    Do I put my trust in good luck charms, palm reading and superstitions, rather than God alone?

2.    YOU SHALL NOT USE GOD’S NAME IN VAIN.
–    Have I used the words “God” or “Jesus” in anger or with lack of respect?
–    Have I used ugly words or language?
–    Have I wished evil on another?

3.    REMEMBER TO KEEP GOD’S DAY HOLY.
–    Do I go to Mass on Sunday unless I had a good reason ? (lack of transportation, sickness)
–    Do I do all I can to make Sunday a day of rest and joy for my family?
–    Do I pay attention to Mass, or do I tease or distract others by talking or playing?
–    Do I arrive late at Mass or leave early?

4.    HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.
–    Do I respect and obey my parents?
–    Have I treated them badly by word or deed?
–    Am I willing to help round the house or must I be nagged a hundred times?
–    Do I try to get along with my brothers and sisters? Am I a tattletale or bully?
–    Do I try to give good example, especially to younger siblings?
–    Do I respect others in authority: baby-sitters, old people, teachers, priests, nuns?

5.    YOU SHALL NOT KILL.
–    Do I beat up others or hurt their bodies?
–    Do I say mean things, or make fun of others to hurt their feelings?
–    Am I willing to play with everyone? Have I stopped speaking to anyone?
–    Do I encourage others to do bad things?
–    Do I take care of my health such as eating the right food and taking care of the body God has given me?
–    Are there kids I will not play with or be mean to because they look different?

6.    YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.
–    Do I treat my body and other people’s bodies with respect and purity?
–    Do I look at television shows, movies, or pictures that are bad and hurt my soul and mind?
–    Am I modest in the clothes I wear and in my speech, remembering that I truly am a daughter/son of God?

7.    YOU SHALL NOT STEAL.
–    Have I taken things that were not mine from a store or another person?
–    Have I broken or misused another person’s property on purpose?
–    Do I return things that I borrow? In good condition?

8.    YOU SHALL NOT LIE (YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT FALSE WITNESS AGAINST YOUR NEIGHBOR).
–    Do I tell the truth? Do I say things about other people that are not true?
–    Did I cheat in class or in a game?
–    Do I tell lies to make myself look good?
–    Do I tell lies to protect myself from being punished?
–    Do I tell lies to make another person look bad or get them in trouble?
–    Am I a tattletale?

9.    YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S WIFE.
–    Do I get mad when I have to share my friends?
–    Am I jealous of my siblings and do I want my parent’s attention for myself constantly?
–    Am I willing to share my things and my time with others?

10.    YOU SHALL NOT COVET YOUR NEIGHBOR’S GOODS.
–    Am I thankful to God and my parents for what they have given me?
–    Do I share the things I have with my family, friends and poor people?
–    Am I jealous or envious of the things others have?
–    Am I jealous or envious of the abilities others have?

THE ACT OF CONTRITION
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you. I detest all my sins
because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God,
who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace,
to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Parent Meetings and Evangelization

By Deanna Bartalini

Can evangelization happen at a parent meeting?

Parent meetings are often looked at by DREs and parents as difficult and a waste of time. One year I decided to change my focus, shift my attitude and see what would happen.

There is usually one meeting at the beginning of the year where I go over the plans for the year, and the schedule and meet new families. And then there are the sacrament preparation meetings, one for Penance/Communion class and the other for the Confirmation class. I don’t like these meetings. I didn’t like attending them when I was a parent and I dislike holding them as the director of said programs. Why? Because the parents and I are at cross purposes before we even see each other. Their interest in the meeting is to get the facts about the sacraments: dates, times, dress, and photo information. And how long will the service be and do we have to come to the rehearsal? And in the case of Penance and Communion, well, do we really need to talk about Penance at all? That’s not a big deal like First Communion.

I, of course, spend weeks thinking and praying and searching for all the right things to include in this meeting. I look at it as a chance to share the faith, to give adults an update, to once and for all find the perfect blend of professing the truth with such love that everyone begins to go to Mass every Sunday and has a conversion experience. Is it any wonder I have trouble planning the meeting?

The meeting is important since, in many cases, it’s the first time I am meeting the parents and probably the last time we will be together for this long a period of time. But even more so, it’s an opportunity to reach out in love and invite people to take another look at their faith, at Jesus, and the Church. How do I engage the parents so that they desire more? First, I must stop thinking it is all up to me. It is God who will invite them into a deeper relationship. I need to allow him to use me. Only then will evangelization be possible.

Yes, there can be evangelization

I had decided ahead of time that my primary focus would be on presenting the sacrament of Penance and less on Holy Communion. In an ideal world, I would have two meetings, but I can’t.

I began by welcoming the group and telling them about myself. Then we began talking about the sacraments and why they are important. I brought out the point that in our relationships with our spouses, children, family, and friends, we verbalize it when we have done something wrong and apologize. If we didn’t, it would be difficult to stay in the relationship with a good attitude. I drew out from that analogy that it is the same with God. We cannot harm our relationship with Him and then act as if we did nothing wrong. We talked about venial and mortal sin, the difference between the two and why confessing even venial sins is important. I find that there is a huge disconnect on that point, even with clergy saying that only serious or mortal sins need to be confessed. While technically that is true, if you are constantly committing a certain sin, such as losing patience with your children, if it turns into constant yelling, your children cowering, and your husband not wanting to come at night, well, it has become serious.

Why go to Confession?

I showed a video, Confession Explained from the Diocese of Richmond. Parents took notes, wrote down the links mentioned in the video, and had questions. I also reminded them to approach Penance as something joyful, as an event for the family to participate in together. I gave examples from my own family life and let them know that it is a healing sacrament to receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace, not judgment or condemnation. I used this quote from Pope Francis, “Going to confession is not like going to the dry cleaners to have a stain removed. No! It is going to meet the Father …” (Pope Francis, during his Jan. 23 daily Mass at the Vatican) to help make my point of why we need confession.

We wrapped up Penance and discussed Communion. We finished up with all the logistics, and I gave out information about what we’d covered, including the prayers their children need to learn.

After the meeting, a few parents approached me by asking more questions or thanking me for the review since they’d forgotten most of it. This meeting was different, and as I thought about why I think it came down to two main reasons; I very consciously relaxed and let the Spirit fill and guide me, I approached it from the perspective that this might be threatening to some parents and so I stopped making them the “bad guys” and proceeded with the thought they are trying to do their best for their children.

Being “Little Marys”

By Maureen Smith

As I was driving with Jesus buckled into my lap in His pyx, on my way to preside over a Communion service this past Sunday, I was trying to prepare some thoughts for the reflection after the Gospel.

Although I had just gone to Mass that morning, the readings and homily seemed a vague memory, as it had been pre-second cup of coffee. What was it that the priest said? What was the Gospel again? Something about the Body of Christ, probably…

What do I say to residents on Corpus Christi Sunday, whose holiness and devotion far exceeds my own? Well, since I am no expert, I thought, I must consult the saints!

Of course Our Lady came to mind. But then, along with that thought, a much older and much more vivid memory than that morning’s homily popped into my head. I recalled how my mom told me that my name, Maureen, means “little Mary.”

Never did I find my name among the turnstiles of souvenir pens or plaques with it’s meaning and origin, which so often populate gift shops and craft fairs. I used to search fruitlessly among the Marissas, Megans, Michelles, but no Maureens. My mom, however, told me she named me Maureen for a few reasons, one of which was because it meant “little Mary.”

This happy thought called to mind an image of the Visitation, as I imagined how Mary carried Christ inside her body.

As I prayed with this image, the Lord reminded me that this phenomenon is not unique to Our Lady, since we do this whenever we receive Christ’s Body and Blood. We all become “little Marys,” bringing Jesus to all of the corners of the world.

This reality remained with me throughout the day, long after the Communion service.

What a privilege it is to be a Christ-bearer like Our Lady. And how blessed we are to have such a model and guide as we seek to reveal Him in our daily lives! It is easy to think that we must feel His Presence or seek Him and take Him in in order to become a Christ-bearer. But by nature of our Baptism, the light of Christ shines from within, not from without, and is amplified and fortified each time we receive the Sacraments.

I often wait for Christ to come to me, and wait to love or do ministry until I feel prepared by His Grace, thinking myself to be too weak. But it is precisely then, when we are empty, when we are least full of ourselves, that we are disposed to carry the One who can do all things.

May we all be like Mary, carrying Christ to all around us. Every human person suffers and we get to be healers of divine love. It is easy to forget that Christ’s presence dwells with us long after we have consumed the Eucharist. We may feel His throne is vacant within us at times, as Mary surely felt the pain of his absence during Christ’s apostolic years, and most certainly at the Cross. Yet, she and so many before us trusted and hoped in His fidelity.

Let us be strengthened by the witness of the Saints who recognized their own powerlessness and at the same time the power of the presence of Christ in our souls. From one Christ-bearer to another, I pray that God blesses you each time you receive His Sacred Body and Blood, and that you receive a special gift of His Grace this Friday on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart – the proof of His Love for you.

Can Graduality Lead to Injustice?

By Mary Lou Rosien

I love the concept of graduality. As a Catechist, it appeals to me to meet people where they are in the journey and help them move towards full communion with the teachings of the Catholic Church. A pastoral approach can encourage and help form the consciences of those we encounter.

We see this play out with our PreCana couples. Many couples these days cohabit prior to marriage. With guidance, love and proper catechesis, they move towards a better understanding of the sacrament of matrimony. The hope is that they will amend their situation prior to marriage and enter into the sacrament with not only a clearer vision, but an openness in embracing the Catholic teaching about all the sacraments which will help them secure a valid union. If they are only told their situation is unacceptable, we may alienate them rather than using the opportunity to help them grow in faith.

This idea of the “Law of Gradualism” can be misused if we view it separate from the clear teachings of the Church. “The pastoral “law of gradualness”, not to be confused with the “gradualness of the law” which would tend to diminish the demands it places on us, consists of requiring a decisive break with sin together with a progressive path towards total union with the will of God and with his loving demands.” [Vademecum for Confessors 3:9].
This means that there must be not just a future intent to break from sin (eventually), but a true conversion by movement away from sin.

With this in mind, there is a concern with the way we approach bringing someone along in Faith if they are in a situation opposed to Catholic teaching. We need to first educate a person in what the Church teaches and then see some evidence of conversion, before we allow them to fully participate in Catholic life. If this is not carried out consistently we create an environment of inequality for those in our parishes.

If a person enters the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program, but is currently in an irregular marriage, they are not permitted to become Catholic until their situation is resolved. This can take from months to years, depending on the circumstances. This individual is encouraged to look at this time as a time of sacrifice, preparation and increased desire of the sacraments (much like a bride looks forward to her wedding day). However, if we allow a couple living together without the benefit of marriage (and no plans to marry) to enter full communion with the Church, because we are trying to ‘meet them where they are’ are we creating an unequal and unjust situation? Are not both people living outside the teachings of the Church? What about a person actively supporting abortion or promoting homosexual marriage or any other lifestyle that goes against Church teaching? These are grave sins, but do the people in the pews understand that? Should they not show evidence of true conversion on these issues before full participation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) in the Church?

We should always meet people where they are, much like Christ met the woman at the well (who had been married five time and was living with a man who was not her husband), but then we should show them the “living water” (Jesus Christ) and invite them to walk with us toward him.

For more information of graduality

For more information on Divorced Catholics

The Three Things Divorced Catholics Need to Know
By Mary Lou Rosien

Book Review: “The Four Keys to Everlasting Love: How Your Catholic Marriage Can Bring You Joy for a Lifetime”

By Elizabeth Tichvon

Manuel and Karee Santos have written an honest, sensible and faithful guidebook that I’m confident will become a go-to comfort for Catholic couples seeking help in their marriage. An ideal gift of learning and support for the newly-engaged or married; a beautiful witness of how to help one another attain holiness within God’s gift of the marriage covenant. [Release Date: April 8, 2016]

Catechist Daily

Crafting with Arma Dei

By Deanna Bartalini

I am a big believer in occupying the hands of little ones as we instruct them. They enjoy doing things themselves and having a finished product to show parents and this way when asked “what did you do today?” they can show something. Of course, the hope is that parents look at it and then discuss it too!

Monica McConkey of Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families emailed me a kit that I choose for review, the “Journey with Jesus” scrapbook which includes the seven sacraments; explanations of sin, the domestic Church, and the Mas as well as definitions from the catechism and prayers. She breaks down the topics very well, asking questions with space for answers and helps lead the children to understanding by making the faith personal and relevant to their lives. The line drawings were done by Monica’s daughter, are well done and appealing. Plus, they are big enough to color if you want.

The logistics of the kit are fairly simple. You order on line at the Arma Dei website and the have the PDF download immediately. Be sure to print on only one side your paper. (my advice, so you can learn from my mistakes) Other supplies needed are scissors and glue, crayons if you’ll be coloring the pictures. If you want to make a cover, you’ll need card stock or construction paper. Instructions are included to make an accordion fold book or you can cut each page, glue it onto construction paper and make a larger book.

What I like about the craft is the flexibility, both of the content and finished product. Depending on your needs, each sacrament could be made separately, the prayer pages to make a prayer book, the Mass pages to make a Mass book or whatever suits you best. If I were to do it with a class, I’d probably make a scrapbook with construction paper, rather than an accordion book.

I am passing this on to the second grade catechist and will have the other catechists take a look on the website and see what they would like for their classes this year. I think this is an excellent product, practical yet engaging and most of all, very accurate in presenting the truths of our faith.

There are many other kits, games and resources on the website, both free and for a fee. Monica is also about to release a new series on Super Saints. Here is a video to learn more. You are sure to find something you can use for you family or class.

Another #Amazing #Giveaway! Newsletter Subscribers Entered to Win!

By Lisa Mladinich

To celebrate our new, mobile-friendly website, AmazingCatechists.com is having an AMAZING giveaway!!!

If you subscribed to our newsletter longer than a month ago or have never subscribed, we’d like to give you the opportunity to SIGN UP NOW at the sidebar on the home page to be entered to win one of MORE THAN A DOZEN beautiful crucifixes—and to receive our once-weekly posts!

I’ll be raffling off FOURTEEN stunning pieces by the Holy Mass Crucifix Apostolate, which has received the Apostolic Blessings of both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis! Once you have these extraordinarily beautiful crucifixes blessed by a priest, the Papal blessings will be imparted to them to bring the grace of God to those who use them.

The founder of the Holy Mass Crucifix Apostolate, Roger LeBlanc, frequently receives testimonials as to the power of those graces. Some say their loved ones have been brought back to the sacraments after receiving them! (Please consider supporting his holy apostolate with your Christmas shopping dollars.) He offers this collection to us in hopes of drawing many more souls back to the Holy Mass. What incredible generosity. This is the kind of selflessness that contributes powerfully to a culture of love and life.

As a result, we are GIVING AWAY TEN 5″ “First Communion: Holy Mass Standing Crucifixes,” TWO 3″ pendant crucifixes on black cord, and TWO 2″ pendant crucifixes on black cord. These are exquisite, heirloom-quality, enameled pieces that make great gifts for Christmas, First Communion, First Reconciliation, and Confirmation.

TO ENTER, visit the home page, here at AmazingCatechists.com and scroll down the right sidebar to find our easy sign-up form. Fill in your name and email address. It’s that simple!

I’ll be awarding these beautiful gifts by random drawing from our newsletter subscriber list, starting on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12th.

Our once-weekly newsletter, updating our subscribers on new posts and features at AmazingCatechists.com will begin in just a few days.

Feel free to contact me with any questions, suggestions, or catechetical tips you’d like to share, at the email address below!

And don’t forget to subscribe to our once-weekly newsletter to be entered to win!

Blessings of the Advent Season!

Lisa Mladinich
Founder, AmazingCatechists.com TM
lisa@mladinich.com
Author, “Be an Amazing Catechist: Inspire the Faith of Children” and
“Be an Amazing Catechist: Sacramental Preparation”
From Our Sunday Visitor in English and Spanish

The Sacrament of Baptism: Immersed in Grace

By Elizabeth Ficocelli

Inspired by Pope Francis’ recent attention to the seven sacraments — unique encounters with the Living Christ that should be made accessible to all Catholics — this monthly series will look at practical and creative ways the sacraments can come alive in our classrooms and in our homes.

Baptism is considered the gateway for all other sacraments. It marks the beginning of our Christian ministry as it frees us from original sin and makes us members in Christ and his Church. Baptism is most often conferred on infants and children too young to understand this important ritual. Therefore, our best option for evangelization is the parents.

Most parishes today offer a baptism class for parents wishing to baptize their children. This is our first opportunity to reach out and welcome these families. Preparing to have a child baptized can give parents an opportunity to reflect on their own relationship with God and the Church. We want to be able to answer their questions with charity and clarity to help them to understand the commitment they are about to make. Baptism in the Catholic Church requires parents to commit to raising that child in the faith–that is, to attend Mass regularly and see that the child is properly prepared for his/her sacraments. Through this sacrament, an individual joins our parish community in a special way and our parish is greatly enriched because of it. Baptism, therefore, is not a private family affair but a community celebration, which is why the sacrament is most often celebrated during or immediately following the Mass.

Here are a few suggestions to help enrich the baptism experience for the entire family:

Couple Prayer. Encouraging parents to pray together for the sake of the child they are about to baptize is an intimate and powerful experience that can truly unify a couple. Praying together for a tiny infant provides a great foundation and will segue easily and naturally to deeper prayer as the child grows and needs those prayers all the more.

Letter to Baby. Invite parents to write a letter to their child about the hopes they have for their son or daughter as he or she grows to follow God. This is an excellent opportunity for a parent to ponder their role in the spiritual life of their child. By putting their hopes and desires in writing, it deepens the commitment and can become a treasured keepsake.

Discernment of the Baptismal Name. The naming of a child has great significance and requires prayerful discernment. As Catholics, we have a wonderful tradition of naming our children after great saints. These holy individuals can provide our children with a strong and virtuous role model and a spiritual companion for life.

Choice of Godparents. Godparents are not figureheads in the Catholic Church but vital players in the spiritual life of the child being baptized. A carefully discerned Godparent will be convicted in their Catholic faith and committed to see that the child is raised as promised.

Easter Vigil. Easter Vigil is the Church’s grand celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism, with the blessing of the paschal candle and the entrance of all the catechumens and candidates into the Church. Yet many Catholics have never experienced it. Enthusiastically and personally invite families to attend!

Baptismal Anniversaries. Mark the anniversary dates of each family member on the calendar. Celebrate those special days by reminiscing over photos or lighting the baptismal candle. This is a wonderful opportunity for the family to recite together the baptismal vows.

On-Going Catechesis. Even though most children will have already been baptized by the time they begin to understand this sacrament, it doesn’t mean there can’t be on-going catechesis. Choose biblical “water stories” (i.e. Noah and the flood, the crossing of the Red Sea, Jesus’ baptism, etc.) as a teaching tool for explaining the sacrament, since each of these events pre-figure baptism in some way. If a baptism is going to take place during a Mass you are attending, give your children seats with a good view of all the action, while quietly pointing out symbols such as the chrism oil, the candle, and the white garment. And remember, when it’s time to renew the vows, do it loudly and proudly!

Sin Dims the Candle: An Object Lesson for Confession

By Sarah Reinhard

We were sitting in the church pews with no lights on. It was early evening in late January, and dark was coming quickly.

In the front, on the step leading up to the altar, there was a candle burning in front of a mirror.

Our First Communicants were gathered on the floor in front. They weren’t looking too nervous, considering that they were moments from their First Reconciliation.

“See the candle burning brightly?”

The kids nodded. And, in some cases, they leaned forward or jumped a little to show their enthusiasm.

“That candle is our soul, with Jesus making it burn. When we’re baptized, the candle is lit.”

It made me pause, that image of the baptismal candle. I remembered my own daughter’s baptism, holding the candle as I balanced her body in my arms.

“But sin is so easy sometimes.” Here the leader held up a glass mason jar. She started lowering it gently over the candle.

“It doesn’t seem to be making a big difference. See how the candle is still burning?”

And it was. The kids could see it and so could I. What’s the big deal about sin anyway?

“But we keep doing it. We keep stepping away from God. We slowly give in to sin again and again, in small ways, ways that seem invisible and unimportant.”

The candle was almost covered by the jar but still going. It was starting to flicker a bit, and as she ended her sentence, setting the jar down on top, it dimmed quite a bit.

“What’s happening?”

There was, of course, a budding scientist in the crowd. “There’s no oxygen!” he announced.

“That’s what sin does! It takes away our soul’s oxygen!” She pulled the jar off just before the flame went completely out. “And that’s what Reconciliation does! It lets the flame glow strongly and brightly!”

There was a stampede of kids to the confessional, and it made me want to go, too. I used the same lesson a few days later with my fifth-grade class, with the lights out. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a way for them to go to confession, though I did find out later that at least one of them did go to confession.

What object lessons do you use to teach about confession?

An Object Lesson for Teaching Sacraments

By Sarah Reinhard

Last night, I introduced a lesson on the sacraments to my class of rowdy 5th graders using an object lesson, and I thought I’d share it here

Credit and thanks for this idea goes to Rick Paolini from the Divine Mercy Podcast (found on iTunes). I heard him talk about this in episode 18 and will be using this with the Confirmation Boot Camp group this summer as well. In fact, I will pretty much be using it whenever I can.

You’ll need:

2 strong magnets (or even a bunch of smaller ones, which I sort of used in one presentation)
A pencil
A long nail (preferably as long as the pencil)
A bowl of small metal items that will be attracted to the magnets (i.e., brads or small nails) — These need to be much smaller than the large nail
If you can swing it (I didn’t think of it until too late this time around), a dirt-covered nail the same size as the large nail

Hold two strong (large-ish is preferable) magnets close to each other.

Note how they attract and repel each other.

We can see both magnets. We can prove they’re there.

But what about that force? Is it still there? We can’t see it: are we SURE it’s there?

The magnets and the force between them represent the Trinity. The magnets are the Father and the Son, and the invisible force they make together is the Holy Spirit.

–> Just because you can’t see the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean he’s not there. He is, and he makes a big impact.

Hold a pencil by the magnets.

What happens? How do the magnets affect the pencil?

What if we dipped the pencil in metal? Hold up a long nail.

How does this change things?

–> This is what happens to us in baptism. The waters of baptism make us attracted to God just as the metal of the nail is attracted to the magnets. The field between the magnets is the grace that is all around us, that we are able to tap into, thanks to the sacrament of baptism.

Pretend we were to chip pieces off the magnet, but as we did it, it was able to replace the lost pieces so that it never gets any larger or smaller. The chipped pieces, though, are attracted to the nail. (I had some small, round magnets in a large clump and I used some of those to make this even more visual.)

What would happen to the nail? How would it change?

–> Just as the nail gets magnetized by the small chips off the magnet, so we are magnetized and pulled closer to the Trinity when we receive the Eucharist.

Put the two magnets in a bowl of small brads or nails and pull them out.

What happens?

The brads are hanging down in a long string, holding on to each other.

–> That’s what happens at Confirmation. In our role within the Body of Christ, we become part of the work of evangelization. We hold onto God and stretch down to someone else.

Imagine that the nail was covered in dirt.

Would it be attracted to the magnets in the same way? What would happen?

When we sin–especially mortal sin–we become less magnetized, less attracted to God. The sin comes between us and God.

–> Reconciliation recharges us, cleans us off so that we are attracted to the magnet again.

The sacraments strengthen us, and we must never forget how essential they are to our faith life. It’s all too easy to blow off the importance of them, to make excuses for letting ourselves turn into the equivalent of a dirty nail.

Have ideas for adding to this lesson? I’d love to hear your input in the comments!

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