St. John of the Cross Catholic Cluster

NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL St. David St. Agatha St. Bruno - St. Remi St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel St. Luce St. Joseph (Hamlin) St. Thomas Aquinas St. Joseph (Sinclair) St. Michael (Summer Months)

NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL 309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103

Madawaska, ME 04756

Parish Office / Cluster 2 Business Office - 728-7531 notredamedumontcarmel@portlanddiocese.org

Faith Formation Office - 728-7135

OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY 379 Main St./PO Box 10, St. Agatha, ME 04772

Parish Office - 543-7447 ourladyofthevalley@portlanddiocese.org

Faith Formation Office - 543-6119

ST. PETER CHANEL 174 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785

Parish Office - 868-2718 StPeterChanelParish@portlanddiocese.org

July 4, 2021

Pastor

Fr. James Plourde

james.plourde@portlanddiocese.org

Deacons

Rev. Mr. Donald R. Clavette

Rev. Mr. Rodney Deschaine

Cluster 2 Business Coordinator

Greg Cyr

Cluster 2 Website

www.sjvcatholics.org

Cluster 2 Facebook Site

St John Valley Catholics

Sacramental & Pastoral Care

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call your parish office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturday before 4pm Mass or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Please call your parish office at least 6 months prior to date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call your parish office. FUNERALS Please contact the Cluster 2 business office.

New Parishioners

If you are new to the parish or have an address or phone number change, please contact your parish office.

14th Sunday in ordinary time July 4, 2021

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Mass Schedule

St. Peter Chanel Mass Schedule

Our Lady of the Valley Mass Schedule

Saturday, July 3 St. Thomas, Apostle 4:00pm ST: Leo Marquis (1st Anniv.) by Pauline & Family (LS) 6:00pm SG: Gabriel Sebastian by Theresa & Family

Sunday, July 4 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am ST: Fern & Dora Bosse by Jim & Rina Bosse 11:00am SD: Aline Corriveau by Rose & Don Michaud

Monday, July 5 St. Elizabeth of Portugal & St. Anthony Zaccaria

8:30am ST: NO MASS

Tuesday, July 6 St. Maria Goretti 6:00pm ST: Allen Dufour by Arnold & Pat (LS)

Wednesday, July 7 8:30am ST: Danny Madore by Rinette & Family (LS)

Thursday, July 8 NO MASS

Friday, July 9 St. Augustine Zhao Rong 10:00am ST: Funeral for Jesse Lyle Waltman

Saturday, July 10 10:00am SD: Funeral for Gilman & Rinette Cyr 4:00pm ST: Gilles Migneault by Family 6:00pm SG: Gerard & Simone Mathieu by Family

Sunday, July 11 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am ST: Norman Chasse by Rachel Chasse

11:00am SD: Gerard W. Soucy by Rena & Family

**(LS) Livestream **(SC) Sunday Celebration in Absence of a Priest

Saturday, July 3 St. Thomas, Apostle 10:00am SA: Funeral for Florine Michaud 6:00pm SL: Edith ‘Dee’ McQuarrie by Dad & Mom

Sunday, July 4 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30am SA: Shirley Boyle (1st anniv) by Mom & Maynard Martin 11:00am SM: Roland Morin by John & Tammy Cyr 4:00pm SJ: (SC)

Monday, July 5 St. Elizabeth of Portugal & St. Anthony Zaccaria

10:00am SL: Funeral for Aline Marquis 6:00pm SA: Ron Bosse by Jim & Rina Bosse

Tuesday, July 6 St. Maria Goretti 8:30am SJ: Deceased parents & siblings by Sinclair family

Wednesday, July 7 NO MASS

Thursday, July 8 6:00pm SL: Wilfred Dufour by Family

Friday, July 9 St. Augustine Zhao Rong NO MASS

Saturday, July 10 2:00pm SL: Wedding for Michael Sirois & Chantel Bernier 6:00pm SL: Jean Paul Ouellette by Odette & Family

Sunday, July 11 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30am SA: Robert Collin by Frances & Family 11:00am SM: John Beaupre by Marilyn & Family 4:00pm SJ: (SC)

**(SC) Sunday Celebration in Absence of a Priest

Saturday, July 3 St. Thomas, Apostle 4:00pm SB/SR: Roland Deschenes by Jeanne & His Children

Sunday, July 4 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am SJ: Peter & Jeannine Cyr by Rudy, Dinah & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Garner Lajoie by Ray & Judy Marquis

Monday, July 5 St. Elizabeth of Portugal & St. Anthony Zaccaria NO MASS

Tuesday, July 6 NO MASS / St. Maria Goretti

Wednesday, July 7 6:00pm SB/SJ: Janet McCoy by Rochelle & Daniel

Thursday, July 8 NO MASS

Friday, July 9 NO MASS / St. Augustine Zhao Rong

Saturday, July 10 4:00pm SB/SR: Carline Boucher (1st Anniv) by Don, Bobbie & Chris

Sunday, July 11 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am SJ: Guy Michaud by Rick & Helen 9:15am SB/SR: Aurele Cyr by his Family

NEW UPDATES FOR MASSES

Beginning on June 30th all things will return to how they were before the pandemic except: • No cups for Communion yet. • Communion stations will continue to have sanitizers available.

Catholics are once again obligated to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish Corner St. David, St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel/Grand Isle, St. Thomas Aquinas/Madawaska

LAMP FOR THE UNBORN BURNS FOR: St. David - for the Unborn by a Parishioner St. Gerard - for Matthew by Leona Roy

Worship & Spirituality Finance & Administration

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Financial Update

Offertory: July 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021

Budget:$338,365 Actual:$316,991 Under Anticipated:-$21,374

Amount given Weekly goal St. David $1,547 $1,739 St. Gerard $1,268 $1,045 St. Thomas Aquinas $3,351 $3,851 Weekly Totals $6,166 $6,635

WeShare Online Giving: $639.00 Catholic Communications Campaign: $1,362.00

PRAY FOR OUR SICK Rosanne Chasse, Gene Lavoie, Bernice Martin, Odette Pelletier, James Lavoie, Michael Rossignol, Danny G. Cyr, Gordon Soucy, Patsy Madore, Jane Carter, Verna Dionne, Herman Fortin, Noella Michaud, Donna Neill, Cecile Tardif, Connie Doucette, Quinn Soucy, Harold Bouchard, Rita Bouchard, Dot Roy, Claudette Tardif and Louise Gendreau. FMI please call 728-7135.

ST. GERARD SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN JULY FOR: Addia, Norma, & John Beaupre

ST. DAVID SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN JULY FOR: Gerard Soucy by wife Rena

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN JULY FOR: In thanksgiving to St. Jude by GD

Community Events

Parish Life

2021 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $36,350: Total pledges to date: $18,465(51% of goal) with 90 households participating.

UPCOMING FUNERALS

Friday, July 9 / Funeral for Jesse Lyle Waltman at 10:00am at St. Thomas Saturday, July 10 / Funeral for Gilman & Rinette Cyr at 10:00am at St. David

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA PRAYER LINE: If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, the Daughters of Isabella can

help through the Prayer Line. Many persons who have been placed on the prayer line have found great comfort in the power of prayer and some have witnessed miracles. This is open to anyone – not only for members. To add a name to the prayer line, Lucy Cyr at 436-9673.

ST. DAVID LADIES OF ST. ANNE MEETING: Monday, July 19 at 6:30pm in the St. David Church Hall. Notice the Change of time.

CAMPAIGN/PARISH REPAIR FUND 21-24

Letters sent: 1,200 Donors to date: 193

Cash on hand: $104,551.16 Cash pledged: $61,233

Fr. Jim Plourde’s Retirement Celebration

All are invited to join the Madawaska Daughters of Isabella

and the St. David/Madawaska Ladies of St. Anne

for a buffet on

Wednesday, July 28th 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

St. David Church Hall

For more information, you may contact Raymonde Corriveau at 728-7024 or

Rose Marie Sullivan at 728-6388.

MUSIC IN THE PARK: Thursday, July 8, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Bicentennial Park on 11th Ave. Music by Guilty Pleasure. Bring your chairs!! GRAND ISLE SUNDAY EVENING MUSIC: Sunday, July 12 from 5:30 –7:30 at the Grand Isle Community Center. Rain or Shine! It will be indoors if it rains. Bring your chairs! Music by: dynamics. FMI call Claudette at 895-3358. Food vender on site with a variety of food to satisfy your taste buds.

††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:

† Adhemar “Boy” Cyr, 88, who passed away on June 15th in Southington Ct. He is the brother of Lucielle Dionne of St. Gerard.

With grateful hearts

we extend our best wishes to

Jackie Albert & Rolande Gervais

for their many years of service to our community

as funeral buffet coordinators

PRAYER LINE CONTACTS St. Joseph: Cecile Ouellette 543-6073

Worship & Spirituality Finance & Administration

Our Lady Of The Valley Parish Corner St. Agatha, St. Joseph/Sinclair, St. Luce/Frenchville, St. Michael Chapel

Our Lady of the Valley Financial Updates

Offertory: July 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021

Budget:$180,462 Actual:$166,003 Under Anticipated:- $14,459

Amount Given Weekly Goal Weekly Totals $ 4,111 $4,135

This Year Last Year

Average Collections $ 3,255 $3,352

WeShare Online Giving: $195.00 Catholic Communications Campaign: $546.00

WEDDING BANNS

Michael Sirois & Chantel Bernier III

Community Events

FRENCHVILLE SENIOR LUNCH Monday, July 5 at 11:30a.m. at the Community Center

We will be serving Pork Loin.

CHICKEN BBQ Sunday, July 18th, 10:30 a.m. until we run out

St. Joseph's Church -Sinclair $10.00 for Half -Chicken Plate Dine in or Take Out Available

ST. JOSEPH FOOD PANTRY IN SINCLAIR Serving St. Agatha, Sinclair and Cross Lake If you are in need of food in these difficult times,

we are here for you. If you are a senior you may qualify for a senior box and food box every month.

Food is given every first Tuesday of every month also senior box and this is a drive thru pick up, just open trunk and

we will load the box of food for you. Pick up time is 1-3pm. Please wear a mask!

FMI call Cecile Ouellette @ 543-6073 or 543-5057 Monday thru Friday from 1-4pm

Application will be completed over the phone due to COVID-19

2021 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $18,695: Total pledges to date: $5,989(32% of goal) with 38 households participating.

SANCTUARY LAMP: Burns for:

St. Agatha: Patricia Lavoie by Ronald Lavoie St. Luce: Ronald “Bee” Guerrette

St. Joseph: Wayne Dionne by Lucie Boucher

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH

Isla Juliet Guerrette Daughter of Dustin & Sarah Guerrette

Mateo Ezekiel Cyr

Son of Curtis & Lana Cyr

††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:

† Sr Therese Boucher, 91, who passed away on June 4 at the Mother House of the Servants of Notre-Dame after 66 years of religious life.

SACRAMENTS Retirement Celebration

for Fr. James Plourde Sunday, July 11th

after the 10:30am Mass St. Agatha Parish Hall

RSVP by June 27th

Kate Hebert 543-6319 Donna Chamberland 543-6405

Judy Paradis 543-7773 or Denise Sinclair 543-6053

Mass at

St. Michael’s Chapel

Every Sunday at 11:00am until Labor Day

St. Peter Chanel Parish Corner St. Bruno-St. Remi Church/Van Buren, St. Joseph Church/Hamlin & Borderview Nursing Home

Bulletin Memorials In Memory of:

2021 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $13,762: Total pledges to date: $2,387 (17% of goal) with 20 households participating.

St. Peter Chanel Parish Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2020 to June 20, 2021

Budget: $139,139 Actual: $130,250 Under Anticipated: -$8,889 Amt. Given $1,998 Wkly Goal $2,728 This year $2,554 Last year $2,708 WeShare: Online Giving: $154.00 Catholic Communications Campaign: $852.97

Finance & Administration

ALTAR SERVERS WANTED: This Summer a recruiting effort is being conducted as we solicit any youth & 1st Communion Candidates into joining this wonderful Ministry. Anyone satisfying the requisites of having made their First Communion, either male or female, young or young at heart, are welcome to contact JOYCE GAGNON at (207) 868-2718 to sign up for Altar Serving. We urge you to please come and serve the Lord at the Altar. You will find the experience rewarding, gratifying, exciting, and spiritually uplifting. Procedures and training will be scheduled when we receive a sufficient number of candidates. We are also looking for 1-2 adult volunteers to assist with the program. If you feel called to this ministry and are willing to successfully go through the diocesan “Protecting God’s Children Program”, we need you and encourage the gifts you can offer the program. Please call the church office. More information can be provided by Deacon Rodney at rodneyup@live.com

ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI CHURCH SPONSORS BREAD & WINE SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Louie, Mattie, & Adrian Gagnon by the Gagnon Family

SANCTUARY LAMP SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Joey R. Ouellette

by Gordon & Velma Grivois

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are looking for a few people who would be willing to be greeters to

welcome parishioners and pass out bulletins at the entrance before the weekend Masses.

If anyone is interested please contact the parish office.

Baptisms Congratulations/Welcome to our Christian Community

Sophia Anne Pluto Daughter to Andrea Doucette & Greg Pluto

St. Peter Chanel Parish will be honoring Fr. Jim Plourde’s retirement at the 4:00pm Mass on

Saturday, July 24th, followed by an informal luncheon in the

church hall. Please RSVP for a head count to: Lorraine Lajoie 868-5048 / Sr. Yvette Plante 868-5266

John Pelletier 895-5215 / Parish Office 868-2718

Marquis & Cyr Families by

Ray & Judy Marquis

Albert & Catherine Sirois

by Mike & Marie

Normande Rossignol by her husband,

Philippe Rossignol

Janet Michaud by

Lorance Chamberland

Ronald & Della Martin 70th Wedding Anniversary!!

Joey R. Ouellette with Love,

Mom, Dad & Family

Tardif, Parent & Young Families by

Ron & June & Family

Simon Cyr Love

Grandpa & Grandma

Leo James Cormier with love, Linda, Debbie

& Armand

Jerome Bell Thinking of You

Love Mom

Kevin & Alan Martin Love

Mom & Dad

St. Pierre & Marquis Families

by Paul & Helen St. Pierre

Pelletier & Charette Families

by Leah & Peter

Verna Gagnon With Love, Donna

Dana, Debbie & Don

Ouellette & Pelletier Families by Rudy &

Nancy Ouellette

Pepere Boy & Memere Tess

Love, Brad, Mia, Erik, Eddie, Jaimie & Jake

John Levesque by

his Family

Deceased Members of the Chamberland Family by Lorance

Chamberland

Gervaise Lapierre by

Bob & Family

Levasseur & Laplante Families

by Peter & Leah

Leonhard Adam by

Ella & Sharon

Gagnon & Cyr Families by Don

Fredrick St.Pierre by

Jean & Family

Carroll Cyr by

his Wife & Daughters

Patrick Thibodeau by

Yolande & Family

Antoine Levesque by

his wife, Irene

Madore & Rossignol Families

by Carlene & Sheila

Daughters of Isabella will host the Novena of St. Anne in the church parking lot starting Sunday, July 18th and every day until the Feast Day of St. Anne July 26th. Please join us at 12:00 noon each day to recite the Rosary.

St. Peter Chanel Outreach Committee News FOOD PANTRY NEWS:

On call for extras and emergencies: Nancy 868-5324, Norm 498-9570, Bob 868-5623, Harvey 868-5679

Please do NOT HESITATE to call when you have or see a need. God Bless Everyone!

Acadian Village Activities Sunday August 1st Concert: by JOSEE VACHON

2pm. at the Van Buren High School Auditorium Cost: Adults: $10.00, students:$5.00

Reserve the date. (More details to come later).

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS CATHOLIC CLUSTER / DIOCESAN CORNER

ST. THOMAS GIFT SHOP For an Appt., Call 728-4346/316-8062 Lee

THE GIFT SHOP IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER, HOWEVER, IF YOU NEED SOMETHING FROM THE GIFT SHOP, DO NOT

HESITATE TO CALL ME AND I WILL MEET YOU THERE!! Lee

CARDS FOR PRIESTS: In Appreciation for Service for the Parish (Retirement) or Welcome to New Pastor!!

LIVING FAITH & THE WORD AMONG US: These prayer books are available at the Rectory Office, or at my house, 396 Main St. The Living Faith available is for July, Aug., Sept. and The Word Among Us, which is a prayer book that includes all of the Mass Readings, is for July & August. There are 2 months in it this time. Pick up your copy anytime, or call me and I will open up for you.

CRUCIFIX: Silver Plated Wedding Cross with Rings - $13.98 (PC202)

Oak w/Brass Wedding Cross with Rings: - $19.95 (PC200)

TWO BECOME ONE CANDLES & HOLDER For the Alter at a Wedding!! Candles, 1 - 3" X 9" Pillar Candle and 2 Tapers - 7/8" X 10" H. inscribed "Two Shall Become One" in Gold, $65. Holder for these candles $25.95. (#75379 & G1370)

BOOKS: " WHEN IT FEELS IMPOSSIBLE TO PRAY" Prayers for the Grieving When words don't come easily, there are still ways to pray. For those who have experienced a tremendous loss - you don't have to do the things one normally associates with prayers, to actually connect with God. Everyone is different, and no one grieves the same. And no matter how you choose to express yourself, in the silence of the heart, God speaks. In the end, prayer's essence is simply this: We need to open ourselves to God in such a way that we are capable of hearing God say to us, individually, "I Love You!". $7.99

KIDS: Precious Moments - Holy Bible - Catholic Edition This Precious Moments Catholic Bible is the perfect choice for celebrating the special milestones in the life of your child. This beautiful keepsake can be used for Baptism or First Communion, and the full-color Precious Moments artwork will invite your child into the pages of Scripture. $27.99

THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR CHILD IS READ ALOUD TO HIM/HER!

Also, Gift Certificates are always available!!

PUBLIC ROSARY GROUP (America Needs Fatima)

We meet every Wednesday & Friday at 3:00pm at the Madawaska Bi-Centennial Park in the gazebo (for the summer months). We begin with Divine Mercy Chaplet followed by the Rosary. Pray for pandemic situation and for the restoration of our country facing evil forces that is prevalent right now.

BAPTISMAL PREP CLASS: Saturday, July 24th at 9:30am at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church Hall. To register for the class, please call the office at 728-7531.

PUBLIC ROSARY RALLY WHEN: Saturday, July 10th TIME: 12 noon

WHERE: Farmers Market FOR PEACE IN OUR COUNTRY!!

FMI contact 316-3128

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Worldwide Marriage Encounter is sponsoring virtual marriage experiences. Some are on weekends and are seven sessions on weekdays from 7pm to 9:30pm. Couples will explore their individual personality styles, improve listening and communication skills, understand God’s plan for their marriage, and learn how to keep their relationship a priority. Registration is limited and a $100 application fee is required. For more information or to apply, call at or visit them at https://wwmema.org/. Sign up today for the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter experience on Thursdays/Mondays Jul 8-29.

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel parish has a job opening for the position of Faith Formation Director. If you are interested in applying for this positions, please contact

Greg Cyr our Parish Manager at 728-7531.

Job Opening

Children’s Corner

July 4, 2021 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

It’s all so ordinary that we can easily miss it. The seagulls hunting and diving for mollusks at the beach offer a display of determination and precision as they gather their food for the day. It’s simply what these creatures do. Yet, there’s a magical artfulness and skill to their work that speaks volumes about the One who breathed life into their being. This is pretty much the way it is with God’s presence. God comes in common ways through common things and ordinary people. Sadly, we are so engulfed in our little worlds of order and ideas to notice the beauty and wonder of it all. Many have numbed themselves to the Divine spark at the essence of all life because that’s just the way it is. What’s so special about it? A sunset is a sunset and a seagull is a seagull. That’s precisely what they thought about Jesus too. After all, isn’t he just the carpenter’s son? What merit can his words possibly have?

If we’re looking for God to come in an event that is so dramatic and intense that it knocks our socks off, then think again. When pondering God’s relationship with His people and God’s action in our lives, we have to go back to the stable and the recurring, creative, unending power of God’s presence. It was a quiet, run of the mill kind of night. There was nothing spectacular or extraordinary. To the naked eye, a woman gave birth to a child and there wasn’t anything extraordinary to see. We have a hard time understanding God’s ordinary-ness. Jesus grew up in an ordinary town, had neighbors and did normal human things. Perhaps that’s why we don’t always like the Gospel. It doesn’t dazzle us with extraordinary things but simply challenges us to take a different look at our ordinary stuff. That makes us uncomfortable. We prefer things as they are. Our lack of faith can even cause us to take offense at what Jesus says and does, dismissing it as folly.

God’s life-giving presence continues to sustain that seagull in flight and keep all things in being regardless of whether we have the faith to see and understand this. Our personal agendas, preconceived ideas, misconceptions, and expectations can often cause us to be hardened and blinded to what God is doing or desiring to do. While God continues to do what he has done for all eternity, faith is needed for God’s presence to bear fruit. The blinders we wear and the expectations we bring to life can often prevent us from seeing graced moments that radiate with God’s graceful presence. They also prevent God’s transforming, healing, and hope filled vision for our world from being realized. Without faith, God won’t be able to do much for us either.

The Prophecy of You and Me Prophet. There’s a heaviness to this word. It’s weighted down with meaning. We think of prophets and we think of Charlton Heston with wild hair and a booming voice, reaching out his hand to work wonders of nature by the grace of God. We think of prophets and we think of ancient Biblical history — someone far away, someone so removed from our everyday life. A prophet is someone who knows something we don’t. When I let you in on this secret, it might scare you at first: in a way, God is calling you to be a prophet. He is calling me. He is calling anyone who hears the truth of the Gospel. However, there is no need for the megaphone and the wild locusts. This prophet gig might not be what you’re thinking. What does a prophet do? He hears and testifies to the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s unpopular, even when it results in, as Paul says, “weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and constraints.” A prophet doesn’t have to be smart or rich or ordained; heck, he doesn’t even have to be particularly willing. All a prophet has to do is listen to the truth. The truth we receive from Christ, through the Gospel and the sacraments, is a mighty gift. But it is a gift that we are not meant to simply keep for ourselves. In possessing it, we are compelled to also pass it on, to share it, to let the Spirit set us on our feet.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Our Catholic grade school is doing a penance service this Lent. Do young children really need to go to Confession? How much sin can they really have?

Answer: Ask any mom about her children, and see how many would say she has a brood of perfect angels! Parents know that kids do things that are wrong … and they often know they’re doing it! Even toddlers have a sense of right and wrong. The Church recognizes that their minds and consciences are not yet fully developed, however, and typically waits until age seven to offer the sacrament of Confession. Around that age and beyond, most young people, when asked, can easily explain why something is wrong.

Confession for children is an excellent way to help them reflect on their actions and accept responsibility for their behavior. It helps them to grow in their understanding of sin and how it affects others. This helps them to form their consciences and make better choices in the future. Most importantly, they learn the value of forgiveness, both given and re-ceived. Rather than singling out what’s wrong, Confession offers hope and a new start! Children can grow in understanding God’s unconditional love and develop a sense of inner dignity that transcends their failings. Not bad for five minutes and an “Our Father” or two!