Mary Wethern tried to convey to her second-grade Queen of Angels School students that reconciliation is a celebration.
Second grade is an exciting year in the life of a Catholic child.
Receiving both the sacrament of penance and the Eucharist for the first time, the children take an important step in their faith. This is an opportunity that many of them do not take lightly. Geoffrey Crisanti, a member of St. Peter Chanel Mission of the Church of St. Ann, Marietta, said that he listened to his teachers when they explained the sacrament of penance. Ellen Howe, coordinator of religious education at Queen of Angels School, said that she hopes that after the children make their first confession, they will realize it is not something to be feared, but something to rejoice in. They are also afraid they'll forget something, but we tell them that as long as they come to the Lord with honesty, their sins will be forgiven.