My reconciliation with foregiveness and gratitude

Term 4 has just starter for parents Down Under. So has the countdown to Christmas and there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. So when my daughter handed out a flyer with the first reconciliation program after her scripture class, I must admit (or maybe confess) I showed limited enthusiasm initially.
We are not regular churchgoers. Too busy this year, we can push it back to next year, right? Hang on, what will make things different next year? Term 4 will still be short and busy.

So on the closing day of enrolment I filled in the form on the parish website. My daughther is going to do her 1st reconciliation in 2013. It will happen end of November, so we are only at the start of the program.
I can already tell it was a great decision. It forces us as a family to slow down, reflect more, talk about important topics. And shall I say, pray.

My favorite prayer with the kids is the thank you prayer.

Lord you are so good

Thank you for the gift of life,

for our world, the sunshine and the rain.

Thank you for our family and friends;

our health, our wok, our home, our food

and all the good things that you give us.

We are truly grateful.

Amen.