Original Sin is washed away at baptism. So how does it still make sinning easier?

1. Original Sin is washed away at baptism. So how does it still make sinning easier? We are all born with a defect, the inherited result of Adam’s sin: at birth, we are already separated from God, and need to have this washed away by Baptism. This defect is like a deviation that continues to influence us in our choices and actions… we always stand in need of God’s grace. Why does sin matter ?

2. To know what the 2 kinds of sin are To know the 4 stages of the Sacrament of Reconciliation To understand how the Sacrament helps people. Sacrament of Reconciliation

3. What are the 2 kinds of sin? • Mortal Sin: Murders the love in you and your relationship with God. Serious evil is done, knowingly. You need the Sacrament to restore your relationship with God. • Venial Sin: smaller sins that Wound your ability to love others, and to relate to God. Venial sins are also those serious (mortal) sins that you did, without knowing that what you did was evil.

4. Re-arrange the sins to fit the correct category. Mortal Sin Venial Sin Exploiting the poor Pornography and masturbation Child abuse Stealing something that really hurts another person A lie about your private life Getting involved in witchcraft Killing the innocent Homosexual sex Lustful thoughts A lie or gossip that destroys someone’s dignity or happiness Hating God

5. Repairing the Damage • Think of a time when you hurt your best friend/ someone in your family. • Think of 4 things that have to happen in order to make up again

6. The 4 stages(match the stage to the meaning) feeling genuinely sorry for doing it. Expressed by saying an “act of contrition” • Confession: • Contrition: • Absolution: • Penance: a task you agree to undertake to prove you’re sorry/ make up the damage Receiving God’s Forgiveness in Jesus’ name admitting what you’ve done wrong Which of these 4 stages are said by the person confessing, and which by the priest?

7. A good Act of Contrition expresses sorrow for sin and asks God for help. Which one is appropriate? Write it out in your books. • .Lord God, I hate my sins for damaging me and others. I will try harder not to repeat them. • O My God, because you are so good, I am very sorry for having offended You, and with your help, I will try not sin again • In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You whom I should love above all things. • Lord Jesus, have mercy on me a sinner. . You can only be forgiven if you are truly sorry and after you complete your penance.

8. Importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation • What difference does it make? What are you like after the Sacrament? • Closer relationship to God • Forgiven: Closer to receiving salvation • Better self esteem: a peaceful, happy conscience • Spiritually stronger to fight sin and evil • Reconciled with people in your community Rank these reasons from the ones that are most important to you, to the less important. Explain why you chose this order.

9. Where does the Sacrament come from? • Jesus’ whole mission was about reconciling people to God. He died in order to do this. Jesus often healed people by saying “your sins are forgiven”. Forgiveness of sin is essential for us to be healthy in mind and spirit, if not in body. Do you think there is a link between spiritual healing and physical/ mental healing?

10. Write out each question and below it, the answer (below) filling in the missing words. 1. It f_________ sin and gives g_______ to avoid sinning again. This r_________ you to a close relationship to God. 2. Minimum _____ a year, ideally once a ______ 3. When you recognise that your actions have sep______ you from God, and you need God’s f________ and h_____ . What is the Sacrament of Reconciliation? When do I need it? How often should I go?

11. Key Words • Sin • Original Sin • Venial Sin • Mortal Sin • Absolution • Contrition • Penance