Forgiveness & Reconciliation

We believe in the forgiveness of sins.... After the great commandments to love God and your neighbor as yourself, forgiveness is probably the next great hallmark of Christianity. Yet, just as love is easy to say but hard to do, so are forgiveness and reconciliation. We teach our children to say, "I'm sorry," but it's too easy for those to be hollow words – even for adults. Here we explore principles and challenges that address the holy concept of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Prayers & Rituals

Prayer & Forgiveness Table Prayer • Generations of Faith

Use this table prayer to remember and seek forgiveness from each other and God.

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Journal Article

Vatican II Ends Grudges

At Vatican II, for the first time in a thousand years, all the Christians of the world sat down together. These church leaders agreed to pray, talk, and forgive one another for the hatred and grudges that had existed for so long. • By Bill Huebsch

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Inter generational Session

The Living Community • FIRE

Blessed are the Merciful

Participants will experience the meaning and the need for mercy, and will understand the basic difference between mercy and justice. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

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Inter generational Session

The Responding Community • FIRE

The Fall Guy: The Stories of the Fall

Participants will have clearer insight into the stories of the origin of sin and a sense of sin's communal nature. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

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Inter generational Session

The Believing Community • FIRE

Forgiveness, Resurrection, & Life Everlasting

In this session participants will experience forgiveness as it was taught by Jesus. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

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Inter generational Session

Celebrating Community • FIRE

Reconciliation as Healing

This session has two options. In the first, participants will be given a clearer concept of sin and forgiveness and will demonstrate the examination of conscience and celebrate Reconciliation. In the second, participants will understand the sacrament of Reconciliation and the process of reconciliation as ways in which we become more beautiful people. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

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Inter generational Session

Celebrating Community • FIRE

Jesus Teaches Forgiveness

In this session participants will have the opportunity to experience and understand how Jesus treated sinners. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

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Home
Activity

Popular Gospel Stories: A Woman Washes Jesus' Feet • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on the woman who washes Jesus' feet from Luke 7:36-8:3.

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Home
Activity

Home Activities: Forgiveness • FamilyFaith@Home

Ideas for giving & receiving forgiveness at home.

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Inter generational Session

Giving & Receiving Forgiveness • FamilyFaith@Home

Participants will reflect on the need for forgiveness in their lives from the perspective of both accepting and giving forgiveness in their relationship with God and with others.

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Home
Activity

Popular Gospel Stories: The Prodigal Son • Generations of Faith

A family reflection based on Luke 15:1-32.

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Adult
Session

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

In this session participants will explore their, seek to understand the cause of hurtfulness and sin, explore reasons for seeking healing and reconciliation, and identify goals for living as a reconciler and peacemaker. • By Stacy Hennessy

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Inter generational Session

Forgiveness & Reconciliation • Generations of Faith

This all-ages session will examine the Christian call to forgive and reconcile within our families, and with the whole world. It will give participants the chance to learn and practice the art of forgiveness. • By Susan Vogt

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Prayers & Rituals

Gospel of Luke

Ritual of Forgiveness

A family ritual of forgiveness based on the stories from Luke's Gospel.

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Youth Session

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

This session explores the connection between the common experiences of hurt, forgiveness, and reconciling that we all experience and the theological/sacramental understanding of this topic as expressed by the Church. Participants will grow in their understanding of forgiveness and reconciliation as both necessary to maintain loving relationships and as a holy and sacred activity.

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Web Links

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Recommended Websites

Recommended websites on the topic of forgiveness and reconciliation.

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Individual / Wider Community

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Recommended Reading and Viewing

Recommendations for reading and viewing on the topic of forgiveness and reconciliation.

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Home
Activity

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Prayer

Gather around a table. Light a candle to remind the family of Christ's presence. If children are old enough, they can take turns lighting the candle while a parent says an opening prayer, like, "Forgiving God, we ask you to help us forgive when we have hurt each other and to be willing to make amends."

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Home
Activity

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Amends

The three parts of forgiving are: 1. Apologize (I am sorry.) 2. Ask forgiveness. 3. Make amends.

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Facilitator Background

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Facilitator Background

After the great commandments to love God and your neighbor as yourself, forgiveness is probably the next great hallmark of Christianity. Yet, just as love is easy to say but hard to do, so are forgiveness and reconciliation. We teach our children to say, "I'm sorry," but it's too easy for those to be hollow words - even for adults. Here we explore principles and challenges that address the holy concept of forgiveness and reconciliation.

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Child
Session

Forgiveness & Reconciliation

Learners will distinguish forgiveness as being a necessary part of the reconciliation process. Learners will identify and apply four steps in how to forgive.

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