Port Chester: Celebrating First Reconciliation

By Fr. Eddie Chincha, SDB, CYM, and Irma Austin, Coordinator, Religious Education Program, St. John Bosco Parish

(Port Chester, NY – March 11) – This Lenten season has been a particularly transformative one for the St. John Bosco Parish family. We are overjoyed that 121 of our children recently took a beautiful step in their faith journey by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time.

The preparation for this sacrament was a true family affair. We gathered for four special evenings of learning and reflection through interactive lessons and hands-on activities, where parents and children opened their hearts to God’s love and mercy. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our parents, who made a solemn commitment to guide and prepare their children for this encounter with Christ’s mercy.

This First Reconciliation experience was a great celebration of God’s mercy for our children and their parents, who were also invited to take part in this service. In our parent catechesis, we read the story of how Mama Margaret prepared little Johnny Bosco to make his first confession and communion to help parents prepare their own children for these special moments. The children also made figures of sheep to represent themselves being led by the Good Shepherd.

The prayer service brought our families together for this healing sacrament. We are deeply grateful to our pastor, Fr. Franco Pinto, SDB, and the Salesian community, whose presence and ministry made this day possible.

Their compassion in hearing the children’s first confessions provided a gentle and welcoming introduction to a lifelong practice of seeking God’s grace.