Grade 2 Students Participate In First Penance Retreat

A release from the Lynnfield Catholic Collaborative:

LYNNFIELD - Our Lady of the Assumption Parish's Grade 2 Faith Formation students participated in a First Penance retreat on Sat., Nov. 10.

This brings about an oft-asked question: "What could a child at the tender age of 7 or 8 have done so wrong that they need to confess?"

And in that question lies the common misunderstanding of the Sacrament of Confession (also known as Penance or Reconciliation). It is not about presenting yourself for admonishment and punishment, but rather about building a positive relationship with God based on trust, kindness, and mercy.

At this retreat, the children learned about making good choices, they heard a story that demonstrates that God never tires of forgiving us, and to take all the jitters away, they even had a "practice" Confession with Deacon Mark Ruiz.

Photos by Marie Lagman; Addison Vadala shows how making certain choices makes her happy; Emma Esposito has a "practice Confession" with Deacon Mark Ruiz, a seminarian at Pope St. John Paul XXIII National Seminary in Weston; Michael D'Amelio participates in a "practice Confession" with Deacon Mark Ruiz.