Year 3 Reconciliation topic Choices Year 3 RECONCILIATION

Year 3 Reconciliation topic Choices

Year 3 RECONCILIATION – INTER-RELATING Background notes for parents Come and See for yourself EXPLORE Networks of friendships and relationships enable human beings to live together. When a child’s power to reach out, trust and make friends is diminished, they may suffer the effects for a lifetime. Both children and adults have to discover their ability to reach out and repair what has been damaged. If human beings are to live together in relationships, there is always need for reconciliation. Q Recall a time when you were reconciled to someone else. Q What or who made the reconciliation possible? Q How might that person have felt? Q How did you feel? REVEAL Christians believe that, in Jesus Christ, the world has been reconciled to God. Through and in Christ, every human being is offered the power to reach out in forgiveness and peace, to receive and to offer reconciliation.

Background notes for parents Word of God St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, wrote: “But now in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. ” Ephesians 2: 14 -15 Q How can the example of Christ bring people closer together? Q How does his example of making peace help you? Catechism of the Catholic Church “It is called the Sacrament of Reconciliation, because it imparts to the sinner the love of God who reconciles: ‘Be reconciled to God’. He who lives by God’s merciful love is ready to respond to the Lord’s call: ‘Go; first be reconciled to your brother’. . . Indeed the Sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true ‘spiritual resurrection’, restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God. ” CCC 1424, 1468

RESPOND Q Q Q Background notes for parents Are there any areas in the life of the school where you think it might be necessary to restore broken relationships? What opportunities are there in the classroom for restoring relationships when misunderstanding or hurt arise? How is reconciliation truly celebrated? Prayer and Reflection I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your ordinances before me. I cling to your decrees, O Lord; let me not be put to shame. I run the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my understanding. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end. Give me understanding that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Amen. (Psalm 119: 30 -34)

Background notes for parents EXPLORE Choices have consequences STANDARD INDICATOR Some children will be able to ask and respond to questions about their own and others’ experiences of making choices. Some children will be able to ask questions about what they and others wonder about how choices are made and realise that some of these questions are difficult to answer. Some children will begin to make links to show feelings and beliefs affect their and others’ decisions about choices and their consequences. Some children will begin to compare their own and other people’s ideas about questions of choices and their consequences and realise that these questions are difficult to answer. KEY WORDS choices, consequences

LEARNING INTENTION: Choices have consequences. What do the words choice and consequence mean? Let’s read a story about choices and consequences….

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TOTHINK ABOUT: What do the words choice and consequence mean? Q What choices can you find in the story? Q What two choices did Mum give Paul? Q What do you think Paul said to his Mum? Q How do you think Jane felt when she heard what Tom said, and what Andrew said? Q How do you think Paul felt? Q What were the consequences of Paul’s choice? What choices have you had to make recently? How did you choose and what were the consequences? Q

Show your learning… Write the headings on big sheets of paper and place them on the floor. Jump from each one saying a choice you made, whether it was good or wrong and what the consequence was. Choice Taking and eating some chocolate without permission. Good or Wrong Consequence

REVEAL Background notes for parents The importance of conscience in making choices CONTENT: – scripture – tradition – prayers STANDARD INDICATOR Some children will be able to retell the stories of the Two Sons and the Prodigal Son. Some children will be able to use religious words and phrases to describe saying sorry and asking forgiveness. Some children will be able to describe the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Some children will be able to describe a simple Examination of Conscience and to write or say a sorry prayer. Some children will be able to describe some ways in which followers of Jesus live. Some children will be able to begin to make links between religious stories and the belief in a loving and forgiving God. Some children will be able to use a developing religious vocabulary to begin to give reasons for what happens in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Some children will be able to begin to give reasons why particular Christians make good choices and follow Jesus. KEY WORDS Reconciliation, Confession, conscience, sorrow, grace, penance, sin, choice, consequences, repentance, penitent, absolution

LEARNING FOCUS 1: Two sons make choices. I can retell the stories of the Two Sons. Listen to John Burland’s Song Year 3 Choices. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Cq. Abh 2 YDG 54 When he was teaching the people, and trying to help them, Jesus told this story about two sons who made choices. Choices always have consequences.

Let’s read the story:

There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the older one and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today. ’ ‘I don’t want to, ’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Now Jesus was in the Temple teaching when he told this story, so he said to the people who were listening, “What do you think? Which of the two sons did what his father wanted? ” And they all said, “The first. ” Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. ‘Yes, sir, ’ he answered, but he did not go. Which one of the two did what his father wanted? Based on Matthew 21: 28 -31 (Come and See)

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT The first son Q What was his first choice? Q Why do you think he chose as he did? Q How do you think he felt? Q Can you think of some of the consequences of his choice? Q Can you think of reasons why he changed his mind? How did he feel? Q Do you think that was easy? Give reasons. Q Have you ever done something like this? When? Why? The second son Q What did the second son choose? Q Why do you think he changed his mind? Q How do you think he felt? Q Have you ever done something like this? When? Why? Q Q The father How do you think the father felt about his two sons? Why did the father react like this?

Show your learning… Retell the story of the Two Sons using your toys as props or make some puppets.

LEARNING FOCUS 2: The meaning of sin and the examination of life (conscience). I can describe a simple Examination of Conscience and to write or say a sorry prayer. Christians try to live as Jesus lived. Explain that choosing wisely is important. There are some things that will help in making a good choice: to pray and ask for help. to get advice from someone you trust and know makes good choices. to think about the possible consequences of the choices. will it have a good effect on yourself and on others?

Many Christians pray every day for the help they need to make good choices. Every day, usually before going to sleep, many Christians ‘examine their life’ (‘conscience’). This means that they think about what has happened during the day and how they have tried to be the kind of person that God who loves them, wants them to be. They think about what they have done during the day – the good choices they have made for which they say thank you, and the bad choices for which they are sorry.

The wrong choices which are done on purpose are sins – that is something that spoils or breaks friendship with God and with other people. Sin is anything that breaks God’s law of love. It is always something that has been done on purpose, not accidentally, or it is something we should do and purposely do not do it. This is the process of examining your life, conscience.

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT Q Q Q When would be a good time to examine your life (conscience)? How do you think this helps you? How would you describe a sin? How would you know your action was good or wrong? How would you set about putting it right? Think of ways in which you can make amends for your wrong choices.

Show your learning… Read this prayer which asks for help and guidance: pray it with actions. Make up your own actions for each line. Holy Spirit, you are with us when we choose. For our good choices and the joy of making them, we thank you. For the joy they bring us and others, we thank you. For our wrong choices, we are sorry. For the hurt we have done to others, we are sorry. Help us to take time to think about the consequences of our choices. We ask you to help and guide us. Amen Ø Write a 5 questions for yourself which you could use as an examination of conscience.

Examples.

LEARNING FOCUS 3: God has forgiven you. I can begin to make links between religious stories and the belief in a loving and forgiving God. I wonder what this painting is about?

God is always loving and forgiving and here is a story that Jesus told that shows this. Read the story of the Prodigal son, Luke 15: 11 -32. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=W-FH 62 O_9 s. I 11 Jesus went on to say, “There was once a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the property now. ’ So the man divided his property between his two sons. 13 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. 14 He spent everything he had. Then a severe famine spread over that country, and he was left without a thing. 15 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. 16 He wished he could fill himself with the bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat.

17 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! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against God and against you. 19 I am no longer fit to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired workers. ”’ 20 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 around his son, and kissed him. 21 ‘Father, ’ the son said, ‘I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son. ’ 22 But the father called to 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. 23 Then go and get the prize calf and kill it, and let us celebrate with a feast! 24 For 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.

25 “In the meantime the older son was out in the field. On his way back, when he came close to the house, he heard the music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him, ‘What's going on? ’ 27 ‘Your brother has come back home, ’ the servant answered, ‘and your father has killed the prize calf, because he got him back safe and sound. ’ 28 The older brother was so angry that he would not go into the house; so his father came out and begged him to come in. 29 But he spoke back to his father, ‘Look, all these years I have worked for you like a slave, and I have never disobeyed your orders. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends! 30 But this son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home, you kill the prize calf for him!’ 31 ‘My son, ’ the father answered, ‘you are always here with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found. ’”

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT Q Q Q Q What did the younger son choose to do with his money? What were the consequences of his choices? What do you think it means in the story when it says: ‘he came to his senses’? What did he plan to say to his father? What words did he use that meant he had done wrong? What does the story tell us about the father? Who is the father like?

This painting is Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son What is happening in the picture and what do you think the characters might be thinking? God is full of mercy and compassion. God always loves you but does not like sin.

Show your learning…. Draw or paint your version of Rembrandt’s painting. Imagine it being put up in an art gallery. Imagine you are the son or the father OR and tell your story, Explain to people visiting the giving reasons for art gallery what the picture is your thoughts and about and what it means for us today. actions. Write it as diary Remember to use religious words! entry or a letter. Remember to write in 1 st person……. . I felt…. . My son…. . etc.

LEARNING FOCUS 4: The Sacrament of Reconciliation LEARNING FOCUS 5: What happens at the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I can describe the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I can use a developing religious vocabulary to begin to give reasons for what happens in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Remember how the father showed total forgiveness and love for his son? One of the more formal ways of saying sorry to God is through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is sometimes called Confession or Penance. It is in this Sacrament that Christians celebrate God’s love and mercy. It helps them to think about their lives and how they are following Jesus and it gives them the opportunity to make a new start.

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The word penitent means the person who is saying sorry. The word absolution means forgiveness. There are three steps to a making new start: 1. To recognise and admit purposeful wrongdoing. 2. To say sorry and ask forgiveness for the wrongdoing and really mean it. 3. To make up in some way for the hurt and harm caused.

Sacrament Of Reconciliation

The This penitent means toconfessing think about his/her the ways sins, they takes have timenot to examine followed Jesus’ their conscience. way of love and kindness.

The priest welcomes the penitent, and they both make the Sign of the Cross.

The penitent confesses/tells the priest his/her sins.

The priest talks kindly to them, encourages them and asks them to do or say something to make up. This is called a penance.

The person then prays an act of sorrow, which includes the promise to try not to do the same again.

The priest says the words of forgiveness and absolution.

The person leaves the priest and prays and thanks God forgiving them, and completes the penance the priest has asked them to do.

Stages of Reconciliation 1. The penitent (person confessing his/her sins), takes time to examine their conscience (life). This means to think about the times they have not followed Jesus’ way of love and kindness. 2. The priest welcomes the penitent, and they both make the Sign of the Cross. 3. The penitent confesses (tells the priest his/her sins). 4. The priest talks kindly to them and encourages them to do or say something to make up for what they have done wrong. This is called a penance. 5. The person then prays an act of sorrow, which includes the promise to try not to do the same again. 6. The priest says the words of forgiveness and absolution. 7. The person leaves the priest and prays and thanks God forgiving them and completes the penance the priest has asked them to do.

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT: Q Q How does the Sacrament of Reconciliation help people? How would you prepare to celebrate this Sacrament? How do you think you could make up for any hurt and harm caused? What difference might this Sacrament make to the one who receives it?

Show your l earn ing…

LEARNING FOCUS 6: Thanksgiving for God’s love. I can describe some ways in which followers of Jesus live. I can begin to give reasons why particular Christians make good choices and follow Jesus. St. Paul wrote to his friends in Thessalonica to encourage and reassure them. He told them that God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion are all gifts for them. We thank God for the gifts he gives us just as we thank friends for the gifts they give us. God gives us all the gifts we need to help us to live good lives.

Dear Friends, Help everyone who works hard for you. Love and respect them for what they do. Make sure you and your friends don’t try to get your own back. Always do what is best for you and for everyone else. Get on well with one another. Most of all be happy. Pray every day. Encourage others to work hard. Make sure you say thank you to God for all the good things God gives to you. Help people who are afraid. Take care of those who are not very strong. Be patient with everyone. This is what God wants for you. Based on 1 Thessalonians 5: 12 -18 (God’s Story 3)

SOME KEY QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT: Q Q Q What do you think is the most important thing Paul tells the people to be? What does he tell them to do? What special gifts has God given you out of love to share with your friends? How can we thank God for the gifts he gives us? What gifts would you like to pray for?

Show your learning… Research the life of Maximilian Kolbe as an example of the kind of person Paul is speaking about. Create an information poster about how he lived out the words of St Paul making links to the scripture. You can choose another Saint if you prefer.

RESPOND Remembering, celebrating and responding to choices have consequences and the importance of conscience in making choices Remember Start the session with a moment of quiet reflection. Light a candle and make the sign of the cross. Ask your child if there is anything they wonder and ask questions about: How to make a choice. How all choices have consequences. How God is always forgiving. Provide the opportunity for your child to remember The importance of making good choices. What helps in making good choices. Consequences of choices. What it means to examine your conscience. What sin is. What happens in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, of confessing and saying sorry for sins, receiving God’s forgiveness, making up for the harm done. Thanking God for the gifts he has given to others and to me. The Prodigal Son and/or the story of the Two Sons.

Rejoice Say a prayer and sing a hymn. Apply their learning Next time I have difficult choices to make I will… Some suggested ideas After a time of quiet reflection and prayer, invite the children to: Write out a three-point guide to making good choices.