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| First Holy Communions; Differences in celebrations | |
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| Topic Started: Tuesday, 20. March 2007, 22:07 (2,224 Views) | |
| Timothy | Sunday, 20. May 2007, 23:40 Post #76 |
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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?
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? |
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"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 | Sunday, 20. May 2007, 23:57 Post #77 |
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When you read the full story from the BBC it is much about nothing. The BBC state:
This is an attempt to say that there is a problem. But then they state:
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? |
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:) Mick The Cook Companies | |
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| Alan | Monday, 21. May 2007, 00:09 Post #78 |
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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. |
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God Bless all who visit this forum, Alan. Add Catholic CyberForum to your favourites | |
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| Rose of York | Monday, 21. May 2007, 00:17 Post #79 |
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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. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Michael | Monday, 21. May 2007, 16:36 Post #80 |
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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 | Monday, 21. May 2007, 17:17 Post #81 |
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Oh yea? A few decades ago the children would have fasted from midnight, and there were no afternoon or evening Masses.
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.
Every Mass is special.
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. It is a day for children to focus on receiving Our Lord, not a day for worshippers to focus on the children.
Quite right too. The children are parishioners.
The priest celebrates Mass. The priest and laity receive Holy Communion.
Every Mass is special.
Is it permissible for persons other than clergy and servers to take part in the entrance procession? I am not sure.
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?
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.
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. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Timothy | Monday, 21. May 2007, 18:37 Post #82 |
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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.
I did find the comments amusing, and the mysterious parishioner who gave us the golden quotes should today be very ashamed of himself! |
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"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 | Monday, 21. May 2007, 19:19 Post #83 |
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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 | Monday, 21. May 2007, 22:24 Post #84 |
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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. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Timothy | Tuesday, 22. May 2007, 00:11 Post #85 |
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Hopefully Parents as well! |
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"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 | Tuesday, 22. May 2007, 00:29 Post #86 |
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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. |
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Keep the Faith! | |
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| Timothy | Tuesday, 22. May 2007, 00:39 Post #87 |
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Also often form within their own peer group, and from seeing the parents of their friends. |
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"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 | Wednesday, 23. May 2007, 21:06 Post #88 |
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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 | Thursday, 24. May 2007, 03:02 Post #89 |
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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. |
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God Bless all who visit this forum, Alan. Add Catholic CyberForum to your favourites | |
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| Michael | Saturday, 26. May 2007, 17:24 Post #90 |
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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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3:45 PM Jul 11