Believe it or not, tonight I play the role of the “tech guy” for the Lenten Reconciliation prayer service taking place in church! I will be on hand for both the early and the late sessions, manning the laptop and LCD projector for the following video elements included in the prayer experience:
- showing images of people being served by Operation Rice Bowl as their stories are read aloud
- opening song (video): Hosea – Come Back to Me
- Video Examination of Conscience
- Images of Jesus Powerpoint reflection while children are going to confession (sorry, can’t share this…copyright issues)
- Closing song (video): Amazing Grace
Thanks to my DRE, Arlene, for providing me the opportunity to try these approaches. I think it will help the children to participate. It’s frustrating when we try to sing a song with no instrumental accompaniment and the children don’t pick up the hymnals to sing along…I think the video songs with lyrics on the screen will help. Likewise, children often tune out during an examination of conscience that is words alone, so helpfully the video examination will help. Pray that all goes well!
[photo by James Vaughan via Compfight
So glad to see such a reconciliation service! It really does help, especially with students, but with almost anybody now.
Would you be willing to share the examination of conscience in PowerPoint format? We do not have internet access in our church, so the Youtube version won’t work. Thank you.
Martha, send me an email at paprocki@loyolapress.com and I can send it to you.
I also would need the presentation, I will send you an e-mail as well….
BTW, it was great seeing you at the LA RECongress in Anaheim this weekened!!!
Thank you for all the tips and ideas. I got your book, but I didn’t get to you for sigining… 🙁
And Jesus amazed people by His words and actions.
No videos, power points, and musical background.
We are the ones who fail the children because we don’t
help them use their minds and imaginations to listen,
think, feel, and then respond. We rush them.
Put them in a quiet Church, sitting apart from each
other, and let them be in God’s Hands.
Slowly go over the Examination of Conscience, using
examples they will understand.
It takes time for them to quiet their minds and hearts
and yet, people continue to use things that stimulate
them – music, videos, computers, etc.
The Holy Spirit seeks moments when we may actually
“hear” Him, that is more likely to happen when we are
listening, not singing.
Please rethink these Prayer Services in the future.
Thanks for your thoughts Kathleen. While I understand what you are saying, I disagree with you. The Holy Spirit can speak through any medium and our young people today are accustomed to communicating through electronic media. I believe that the use of these elements will actually quiet them and engage them. Jesus used the media of his time – stories and parables – to engage his audiences. His words continue to reach people today in a variety of ways. The New Evangelization calls for us to use new methods of proclaiming the Gospel to people and that is what we are doing.
Let us know how it goes!! Very curious to find out how it goes!! Prayers are with you!!
Love,
Thanks Michelle!
I am also interested in a Power Point format of the examination of conscience. I will send you an email with the request. Thank you for the ideas.
Great, thanks