“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession.

 

I pulled the cat’s tail because she scratched me.

 

I have a new baby brother who cries a lot, and Mama said hush, he is sleeping, and then I tripped and made a big noise. I told Mama I was sorry.”

 

“Are you sorry about pulling the cat’s tail?”

 

“Well, mmmm, but he scratched me first.”

 

“Animals are God’s creatures. He wants us to take care of them.

 

Are you sorry?” 

 

“Yes, Father.”

 

“Say three Hail Marys and go in peace.”

 

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession.

 

Father, Tommy Trepaso, has called me four eyes since I got glasses.

Then, I punch him during recess. Sister Mary Patrick makes me clean the erasures after school. Isn’t that enough punishment?”

 

“No, you must tell God you are sorry and not repeat it.”

 

“That’s hard.” 

 

“Say two Our Fathers and I will probably see you next week.”

 

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession. 

 

You know my sister, Noami, is pregnant. Everybody in my house is upset about it. I do not know why, but I feel bad. “

 

“I will pray for you and your family.

 

The best thing you can do is to be nice to Naomi and your parents. This will pass. Say one Hail Mary for all of your family.”

 

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession. 

 

I need help!

 

I never hit anybody first, but those boys, those Duke brothers, had it out for me. They said I disrespected their sister. She had cotton candy all over her face, and anyone would laugh, and it was two years ago.” 

 

“I will make a deal with you. Stop punching back, and I will talk to them. It may take you a few days.”

 

“Thank you, Father.”

 

“Say 3 Hail Marys and three Our Fathers.”

 

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession. 

 

I wanted a dog, but my mom said no. I was too young to care for one. My sister has a goldfish …  mmmmm….I flushed it down the toilet. Oh! Mom and my sister were so mad. That was two weeks ago, and they are still mad.” 

 

“It does not look like there is a dog in your future. That is penance enough.

Peace be with you.”

 

“Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. This is my first confession.

 

You know Mary Ellen. She is always about makeup. She took my Ruby Red Lipstick sample and used it as sidewalk chalk. I told her I hated her.

 

Are you supposed to be using makeup? 

 

Huruph, humph, well, nooooooo.

 

Well, you have suffered enough. Go in peace.

 

“Bless me, Father, I have sinned. This has been one week since my last confession.

 

No one told me what teaching second grade would be like. They have energy for three teachers. I am a young teacher. Trying to

 keep up. Vomiting is the worst for me. I have to call the custodian and the class is in chaos, and I want to vomit.

 

Then there are frogs in my desk. The boys have a contest, and it is only September. And the girls are crying. Was I a crybaby at age seven?”

 

“Say a GOOD Act of Contrition. See you next week.”