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First Holy Communions; Differences in celebrations
Topic Started: Tuesday, 20. March 2007, 22:07 (2,224 Views)
Timothy
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BBC - 'Unholy row' over First Communion

Should First Holy Communion's be celebrated with the parish?

Why were Catholics complaining about the mass to a media group? Let alone the BBC?

Quote:
 
Many of the families I spoke to were too afraid to be interviewed.

But many said they felt they hadn't been consulted and in some respects felt pushed aside by the Catholic Church.


To me its a lot of fuss about something rather small, I wouldn't mind the dedication to "tradition" if Irish First Holy Communions were a particularly "traditional" celebration to begin with.

Five star hotels across the country have for the past 2 months been advertising for "Holy Communion receptions," similar to that of weddings, limousines are regularly hired for transport to the Church.

Also in Ireland Holy Communion is received at the age of 8. While from my knowledge in England it is from the age of 10. I personally think that at the age of 8 I had little idea of the significance of the Eucharist, despite my families regular mass attendance, RE Lessons at school, classes and so on.

What age should people receive their First Holy Communion?
"An adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelty."
"Having a clear faith, according to the credo of the church, is often labelled as fundamentalism."
Pope Benedict XVI
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MickCook
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Timothy
May 20 2007, 10:40 PM
BBC - 'Unholy row' over First Communion

Should First Holy Communion's be celebrated with the parish?

Why were Catholics complaining about the mass to a media group? Let alone the BBC?

Quote:
 
Many of the families I spoke to were too afraid to be interviewed.

But many said they felt they hadn't been consulted and in some respects felt pushed aside by the Catholic Church.


To me its a lot of fuss about something rather small, I wouldn't mind the dedication to "tradition" if Irish First Holy Communions were a particularly "traditional" celebration to begin with.

Five star hotels across the country have for the past 2 months been advertising for "Holy Communion receptions," similar to that of weddings, limousines are regularly hired for transport to the Church.

Also in Ireland Holy Communion is received at the age of 8. While from my knowledge in England it is from the age of 10. I personally think that at the age of 8 I had little idea of the significance of the Eucharist, despite my families regular mass attendance, RE Lessons at school, classes and so on.

What age should people receive their First Holy Communion?

When you read the full story from the BBC it is much about nothing. The BBC state:

Quote:
 
Some families are complaining that the focus has moved away from the children and it is no longer being regarded as a special day in the Catholic calendar.


This is an attempt to say that there is a problem. But then they state:

Quote:
 
However, Father John Forsyth from Christ the Redeemer parish in Poleglass, said the move was to give children "a far deeper meaning and appreciation of the Eucharist".

"It's to try and get a far greater appreciation of the Eucharist and integrate the Eucharist more into the regular parish Sunday Mass," he said.


Here in the United States children receiving their first communion do so on a Sunday and participate fully with the entire community in the Sunday Mass. There is no need to consult parents over a practice that is common in other parts of the Catholic world. Nor is there any real problem, apart from a few disgruntled parents. There's always someone who will complain about a particular Mass or Service. Most people don't... but then the BBC are not interested in those who don't complain, are they?
:)
Mick
The Cook Companies
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Alan
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Timothy
May 20 2007, 10:40 PM
Also in Ireland Holy Communion is received at the age of 8. While from my knowledge in England it is from the age of 10.

What age should people receive their First Holy Communion?

Just to say both my Grandchildren received their First Holy Communion at the age of eight in their English church at the Sunday Parish Mass.

Members of the Parish are delighted to see children presented during the Sunday Parish Mass. Very often the Parish with a small congregation have known the children from birth and are delighted to be part of the Celebration of their First Holy Communion.

God Bless all who visit this forum,

Alan.

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Rose of York
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Quote:
 
Some families are complaining that the focus has moved away from the children and it is no longer being regarded as a special day in the Catholic calendar.


The teacher who prepared me and my classmates for First Holy Communion taught us that whenever we received Holy Communion, our focus should be on Jesus.

It is a special day for children, but it is also a special day for the clergy and parishioners, and an opportunity for the children to realise they are part of a parish in addition to being part of their immediate family.
Keep the Faith!

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Michael

i must say that the school/teacher has been superb in helping in helping the children to understand what the eucharist is all about, my daughter makes her first communion on saturday
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Rose of York
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BBC
 

Traditionally, First Holy Communion is held on a Saturday .

Oh yea? A few decades ago the children would have fasted from midnight, and there were no afternoon or evening Masses.

BBC
 
In some parishes, the traditional Mass for children, normally held on a Saturday, has been changed to being celebrated alongside the weekly Sunday mass. .

Mass for children is not being celebrated "alongside" the weekly Sunday Mass. It is impossible for two Masses to take place simultaneously, offered in the same place by the same priest.

BBC
 
Traditionally, First Holy Communion is held on a Saturday in May and takes place during a special Mass organised by the school and the parish church.

Every Mass is special.

BBC
 
Mr Bradley says he is curious as to why the Catholic Church appears to be moving away from the traditional day without any explanation for families.

I like it! Once upon a time they would have moaned about being sidelined to a Saturday Vigil, not receiving First Holy Communion on Sunday, the Day of the Lord.

Tradition my eye. How long does it take for "established "custom and practise" to become traditional.

BBC
 
Some families are complaining that the focus has moved away from the children and it is no longer being regarded as a special day in the Catholic calendar.
It is a day for children to focus on receiving Our Lord, not a day for worshippers to focus on the children.
BBC
 
But recently, in a growing number of parishes, including St Anne's in Dunmurry and St Michael's and Holy Rosary on the Ormeau Road - children have been receiving the sacrament - during the weekly Sunday morning Mass sitting alongside other parishioners.

Quite right too. The children are parishioners.

BBC
 
Last Sunday, in The Good Shepherd parish in south Belfast, children from St Michael's primary school on the Ravenhill Road joined with pupils from Holy Rosary to celebrate Holy Communion.

The priest celebrates Mass. The priest and laity receive Holy Communion.
BBC
 
According to Seamus Bradley, whose grandson is a pupil at St Michael's, the Mass was anything but special.

Every Mass is special.


BBC
 
Normally, the pupils play a significant role in the Mass - taking part in the readings, bidding prayers, the choir and entrance procession.

Is it permissible for persons other than clergy and servers to take part in the entrance procession? I am not sure.
BBC
 

"It was shambolic. In my experience, children and their parents sit together. Instead, we were all separated," he says. "My son-in-law couldn't even sit beside his son and wife. The children did not participate in the Mass, they did not do the readings, bidding prayers - they didn't even participate in the choir."

A parishioner told the Press the Mass was shambolic! How about a bit of loyalty? Talk about washing dirty linen in public!

It does seem ridiculous that a father was unable to sit (or kneel) with his wife and children. Presumably they got into the church and sat and knelt somewhere. It appears to be one more insult to the rightful status of a father. Could it be that teachers were being politically correct, and did not want fatherless children to be hurt by the sight of other children having two parents?

BBC
 
However, Father John Forsyth from Christ the Redeemer parish in Poleglass, said the move was to give children "a far deeper meaning and appreciation of the Eucharist".

"It's to try and get a far greater appreciation of the Eucharist and integrate the Eucharist more into the regular parish Sunday Mass," he said.

"Sunday is the regular day in Catholic churches for Mass."


Well done, Father! Bearing in mind that a lot of the children may not have been to Church for years, this is a great opportunity to let them know that Mass attendance is what makes Sunday special. By receiving First Holy Communion on Sunday morning, they have the rest of the day for a parish breakfast followed by a family celebration.

BBC
 
Many of the families I spoke to were too afraid to be interviewed.

Scared, or loyal? It may be that some felt there was a problem, but they would prefer to deal with it through the proper channels, not have it plastered all over the local paper and reported by BBC.
Keep the Faith!

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Timothy
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Well done Rose, I must say I concur with everything you said. I read the article and I was yet again shocked by the BBC.

Quote:
 
A parishioner told the Press the Mass was shambolic! How about a bit of loyalty? Talk about washing dirty linen in public!


I did find the comments amusing, and the mysterious parishioner who gave us the golden quotes should today be very ashamed of himself!
"An adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelty."
"Having a clear faith, according to the credo of the church, is often labelled as fundamentalism."
Pope Benedict XVI
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maklavan

Can anyone explain the quaint English practice of having First Communion followed a year later by First Confession?
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Rose of York
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maklavan
May 21 2007, 07:19 PM
Can anyone explain the quaint English practice of having First Communion followed a year later by First Confession?

Once upon a time we were taught that the typical child reaches the age of reason at seven, and therefore is concious of the difference between right and wrong. Now, it seems, children at ten are sweetie pies who never say boo to a goose, so may receive First Holy Communion without first seeking forgiveness of sins.

In the courts, kids of ten can be charged with murder. I propose the clergy notify the Lord Chief Justice that children who kill people are blissfully unaware they are being a bit naughty.

It is good for children to be taught that there is such a thing as sin, and going through the Commandments with them. Some children do not have the benefit of a moral upbringing. A good teacher or catechist can give that child an opportunity to learn that some things are right and some things are wrong. Many a youngster has been saved from following bad example, thanks to good clergy and teachers.
Keep the Faith!

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Timothy
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Quote:
 
Many a youngster has been saved from following bad example, thanks to good clergy and teachers.


Hopefully Parents as well!
"An adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelty."
"Having a clear faith, according to the credo of the church, is often labelled as fundamentalism."
Pope Benedict XVI
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Rose of York
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Rose of York
May 21 2007, 10:24 PM
Some children do not have the benefit of a moral upbringing.  A good teacher or catechist can give that child an opportunity to learn that some things are right and some things are wrong.  Many a youngster has been saved from following bad example, thanks to good clergy and teachers.



Timothy
May 22 2007, 12:11 AM
Hopefully Parents as well!

Timothy my point was that some children do not have a good moral upbringing. If their parents do not teach them the difference between right and wrong, teachers and clergy can give them a chance not to follow in the mould.

Children need to learn the difference between sin and virtue at an early age.
Keep the Faith!

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Timothy
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Also often form within their own peer group, and from seeing the parents of their friends.
"An adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelty."
"Having a clear faith, according to the credo of the church, is often labelled as fundamentalism."
Pope Benedict XVI
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Derekap
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There seems to be varied approaches to childrens' First Holy Communions. Until I came on the internet I thought all children went to their First Confessions before their First holy Communion. In recent years my experience has been that The First Holy Communions were on Sundays. In the parish I attend the normal Sunday Holy Mass is at 10.30am, but because it is very crowded the children's First Holy Communion Mass is at Noon. Last year was the turn for our grandson (7 years old) and the church was well-filled with parents, families, relatives and friends - thus vindicating the reason for an extra Holy Mass.

Mine was on the Feast of Corpus Christi and as it was a working day only mothers and non-working people were in church, not forgetting the teachers as the school was closed in accordance with the then custom. There was no "party" atmosphere.
Derekap
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Alan
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I am quite amused when we discuss the "different traditions" when it comes to the celebration of First Holy Communion.

Three score years ago I received my First Holy Communion. If my memory serves me correctly we had two classes each with about 40 boys. The Church where we received our First Communion served 2 boys schools and 2 girls schools. So in all about 250 Children received Communion together. This was always held on a weekday. Dads, because of work, were usually not there. Girls schools on one side of the main aisle, boys on the other side. mums in attendance behind the Communicants. I was one of the lucky ones because dad was also there.

Now picture the scene. We went to school as normal for nine o clock. We travelled by bus dressed in our First Communion "uniform" This consisted of (from head downwards) Skull cap, White shirt and school tie covered by school blazer, white short trousers, white ankle socks and white canvas shoes.

From the school we were then marched to the church. After Mass, having said "hello" to mum and dad we were then marched through the city to a particular photographers for a group photo and the marched to a nearby tearooms for our breakfast. After breakfast we were collected by our mums and given the rest of the day off. It was usual to visit relatives on that day.

Yes, three score years on I can vividly remember it and it is that memory that makes Holy Communion so special to me.

God Bless all who visit this forum,

Alan.

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Michael

my daughter made her first communion today also, yes the children were excited and on a high but there was no party atmosphere no horse drawn carriages etc, and they were all very well behaved reciting their prayers etc, the preparations were well thought out with each child reserved a bench for their family, the teachers and priests and parents have on the whole catechised their children well on this very important sacrament, and it showed in how the children recieved their 1st communion
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