Just for Parents
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Welcome Parents!
Together you will be working with your child to help them understand what the Sacrament of Reconciliation is, and why we as Catholics return regularly to receive God's mercy in this special way. We know online learning can be a challenge, and we sure wish we could be together in person. We've broken this down into easy sections for you and your child to do together on your own time. With great videos, a few activities, and some discussion questions, we are praying this is a fun learning experience for everyone in your family!
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Step 1 - Sign up for formed
Throughout these 4 sessions, we will be using Formed, an online streaming service like Netflix. As a member of our community, you can access Catholic movies, shows, and books for free.
To register for your own account, click here. Enter your postal code with a space (i.e. N8N 5G8) and click on Good Shepherd Parish (our partner parish) at 462 Advance. (You need to type in the full "Good Shepherd Parish" for the address to come up.) Click Next and enter your full name and email and click Sign Up. That's it! You are in.
You can also watch by downloading the Formed app to your phone, or searching on Apple TV, Roku, or Chromecast. If you ever get signed out, head to Formed.org and click on Sign In. By default, there is no password, just an email verification if you use a new device. If you want to set a password, click here.
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Set up for success...
Here are a few tips to prepare for a great experience:
- Encourage your child to read the sections, if they are able.
- Have your child use your computer, tablet, or phone to navigate.
- Find a dedicated space free from distractions.
- All you'll need is scissors and glue. You have everything else in the kit you got from the church. (No kit? Contact Katherine.)
- Start each session with a Prayer.
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Forgiveness begins at home
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If you find these helpful, consider a few tips to reinforce reconciliation and forgiveness at home. When we forgive... we set healing in motion.
1. Sibling Arguments
All siblings bicker and fight. This provides the perfect training ground for giving and receiving grace. Kids need to learn reconciliation. Train them how to do it and be consistent in reinforcing the principles of forgiveness with even the smallest issues.
2. Unconditional Forgiveness
Teach your kids to forgive regardless of the other person’s response. What matters is that your child has feelings that need to be released. Unconditionally forgive even when it’s not reciprocated.
3. It’s Not About Being Right
When you forgive someone, it should never be about being right. It’s about the relationship being right. Teach your kids to care more about that.
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4. No Stipulations
By placing stipulations on our forgiveness, we are not truly forgiving. “If you make my bed for the next week, I will forgive you.” That’s extortion, not forgiveness. Forgiveness is given without expectations or conditions.
5. Give It Time
We can’t make our children forgive someone. If we pressure them to say something when they don’t mean it, nothing gets solved. Explain the importance and the benefits of forgiving, however, the actual act must come from their heart and not our demands. Give it time.
6. Teach Perspective
We tend to only see our side of an issue. We need to teach our kids to be able to see things from the other side. Our side is only part of the story. Forgiving is much easier when we know the whole story and not just half of it.
7. Don’t Be Held Back
What do you gain by holding a grudge? Feelings of resentment keep us from moving forward. We end up stuck in emotions from past experiences. Bitterness lurks below the surface ready to rear its ugly head. Forgiveness releases it and gives us a clean slate for new experiences and emotions.
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8. The Inside Eventually Comes Pouring Out
If you are filled bitterness, then that’s what you’ll give others. You can’t get clean water from a dirty source. Fill your heart and mind with peace and forgiveness, so you’ll be ready to pour that into others.
9. Teach Them To Serve
Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Go on a mission trip where they can learn to serve others. Giving forgiveness takes humility. Build a spirit of humility by being mindful of the needs of others.
10. The Golden Rule
“Treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves.” Ask your kids how they would want someone to respond when they did something wrong. They would want to be forgiven. Then tell them to do likewise.
Source: All Pro Dad
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