Cort's First Reconciliation - March 24, 2012

On March 24, 2012, Cort was ready for his First Reconciliation.  He had practiced in what order he was to say things, what Father would say and basically anything else he could think of.  I didn't ask him what he would say - I left that up to him.  He asked me what he should do if he forgot to tell Father something.  I told him if he honestly forgot, that it was okay - he could tell him next time.  But if he purposely didn't tell him something - that was not okay.  He said he understood.  Cort - being his father's son, volunteered to go first.  He was in the Confessional a little over five minutes.  I don't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.  But at eight years old, how much could you really have to confess to?  After Confession there was a Mass in which the twelve children were apart of.  Cort and the other boys brought up the gifts.  After the Mass there was a small celebration that the Church had put together for the Children.  We took Cort to dinner afterwards at his favorite restaurant.  It was a very special day.  We had decided early on to leave Elizabeth with one of our favorite babysitters so that the day was completely about Cort and the importance of the day.  In the end, it was a good decision.  At the end of the night, as I was putting the kids to bed Cort asked me if he should tell me what he told Father Ayers.  I told him no, that he didn't have to.  Whatever he said to our Priest was between him, Father Ayers, and God.  If he should ever want to confide in me I would be there to listen, and never judge, but he was never required to tell me what he said -

that was the wonderful thing about the tiny little room called a Confessional.  

 

Daddy assisting him with his first "real" tie

Still working on that tie

I am not quite sure what exactly is running through his head at this point.  However, he seems
a little .... thoughtful as to what is to come as he prepares for his First Reconciliation.

Part of the goodies that the Church had brought in for the celebration afterwards

Our get together beforehand

The Corporal Works of Mercy Banner the Children had Made

The Twelve Children who received their First Reconciliation, and their Teacher. 

More preparation and discussion

Some of the children in the back of the Church.  Notice the open door of the Confessional
to the right with the bright light shining through.  Father Ayers is waiting inside for the
Children to file in one by one for their First Confession.

Cort being lead into the Confessional for his First Reconciliation. 

Cort went inside, the door closed, and I watched, and waited, and waited......

Henry had a different approach to waiting.

The beautiful stained glass window to the left of us.

Forgiven (and a touch of relief, I think) - March 24, 2012