1st Communion - Individual or with Class?

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Quaere_Verum

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We’ve been to 1st Communions where 1 child is honored taking up the offerings with her family and being specifically prayed for by the congregation. We’ve also been to CCE 1st Communions with 60-80 children and an overpacked church full of people. The first was more appealing to me.

We have a child who will be receiving 1st Communion this year. I realize the sacrament will be valid no matter which direction we choose to go. My question, however, is which way is a more meaningful experience - to receive the sacrament while being honored individually or to be recognized as one of a much larger community?
 
I have 3 children, the first two Recieved 1st Communion with their Class, it was beautiful and very meaningful. For unusual reasons, had a very private (family and friends only) for our youngest and it was very meaningful too. Of course the Homily was based on my son and how we all try to be as pure and innocent as he is. Which made it special, but watching all the little children Recieve for the first time was also quite special.
 
I wasn’t aware we had a choice. My daughter receives 1st Holy Communion this coming April, however, her school is for both our church and another. 99% of her classmates are receiving at the other church, while my daughter is receiving at our church (which is very small) with the children who attend CCD (public/homeschool children)…do we really have a choice on how to receive 1st Holy Communion? It’s not like she’ll know any of the other kids she is to receive with.

Penitent
 
Personally I like something in the middle.

It seems to me that to make a single child the focus of a Mass doesn’t emphasize the community aspect. This is “Communion” afterall. But a group of 60-80 kids is kind of crazy.

Back when I made my first communion we had all Catholic School kids on one Saturday and all CCD kids on another. There were probably about 45 kids in my class but since sister drilled us on what to do for weeks ahead of time it was quite orderly.

When my daughters made their First Communion they had the option of making it on a Saturday with a class of nothing but First Communion kids or of making theirs at a normally scheduled Sunday Mass with a total of about 20 kids or so. I liked that. It was a small enough group that each child felt like they were being treated specially but not so small that anyone was singled out.

Likewise, this was good for the parish as a whole. The whole community witnessed these First Communions, but since there were not so many kids, it didn’t cause undo disruption to the normal Sunday Mass routine.

Depending on your Church, you may or may not have options on how your child makes First Communion.
 
Quaere Verum:
. My question, however, is which way is a more meaningful experience - to receive the sacrament while being honored individually or to be recognized as one of a much larger community?
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If the child is confused about the meaning of the Mass and the Sacrament of the Eucharist to the extent that he is made to feel there is some difference in the experience depending on the makeup of the rest of the congregation–the regular Sunday Mass congregation, or a congretation made up of his classmates and their families – then he needs some additional instruction in the reality of the Sacrament and the Mass. It is possible that his teachers, parents and the rest of the parish may also be in need of such instruction if the topic has become a matter of debate.
 
My dd had her First Communion 2 years ago with her entire class in one Sunday afternoon. Each family was alloted one pew for their family and friends.

Some families with a number of children, were unable to invite extended family (grampas, grammas, godparents, etc.) as there just wasn’t enough space to have everyone have anymore than one pew.

It was a wonderful experience for my dd, but I was disappointed that the ‘family affair’ wasn’t full of family.

Last year, our parish implemented the ‘individual’ first communion- except rather than just one kid having First Communion, they had 3 or four kids having First Communion per Mass. (around 12 every weekend over a 6 to 8 week period). This way there was PLENTY of room to fit the family and friends comming for the big event- and the rest of the parish were able to participate too.

I think the later worked MUCH better.
 
Quaere Verum:
We’ve been to 1st Communions where 1 child is honored taking up the offerings with her family and being specifically prayed for by the congregation. We’ve also been to CCE 1st Communions with 60-80 children and an overpacked church full of people. The first was more appealing to me.

We have a child who will be receiving 1st Communion this year. I realize the sacrament will be valid no matter which direction we choose to go. My question, however, is which way is a more meaningful experience - to receive the sacrament while being honored individually or to be recognized as one of a much larger community?
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We had a huge beautiful Holy Mass where nearly 100 children received 1st Holy Communion.

It’s not about individual children, it’s about the Eucharist.
 
netmil(name removed by moderator):
We had a huge beautiful Holy Mass where nearly 100 children received 1st Holy Communion.

It’s not about individual children, it’s about the Eucharist.
Click to expand...
Exactly, I was coming here to post that and you beat me to it.🙂
 
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Penitent:
I wasn’t aware we had a choice. My daughter receives 1st Holy Communion this coming April, however, her school is for both our church and another. 99% of her classmates are receiving at the other church, while my daughter is receiving at our church (which is very small) with the children who attend CCD (public/homeschool children)…do we really have a choice on how to receive 1st Holy Communion? It’s not like she’ll know any of the other kids she is to receive with.

Penitent
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We homeschool so have Catechism classes daily at home. Some priests will allow for special circumstances if the family shows that they are instructing their child at home. The child is interviewed, of course, by the priest who decides if he/she is ready. I think it depends on the priest.

Thanks for the post.
 
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SMHW:
Personally I like something in the middle.

It seems to me that to make a single child the focus of a Mass doesn’t emphasize the community aspect. This is “Communion” afterall. But a group of 60-80 kids is kind of crazy.

.
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I think what I’m going to recommend is that the 60-80 children are given an option of 1, 2, or even 3 Sundays to pick from. It’s not the # of children necessarilly. It’s not even the # of people invited but the way so many of them behave -saving seats, being uncharitable if someone takes a seat they presumed was theirs, people disregarding the priest’s requests not to climb the altar to take pictures. Many people think it is a special event surrounding the child like a birthday party or coming out party and don’t focus on the meaning of the Sacrament.

Thanks for the post.
 
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puzzleannie:
If the child is confused about the meaning of the Mass and the Sacrament of the Eucharist to the extent that he is made to feel there is some difference in the experience depending on the makeup of the rest of the congregation–the regular Sunday Mass congregation, or a congretation made up of his classmates and their families – then he needs some additional instruction in the reality of the Sacrament and the Mass. It is possible that his teachers, parents and the rest of the parish may also be in need of such instruction if the topic has become a matter of debate.
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It’s not a matter of debate puzzleannie just a matter of an option that’s available and trying to select the best option.

Thanks for responding.
 
netmil(name removed by moderator):
We had a huge beautiful Holy Mass where nearly 100 children received 1st Holy Communion.

It’s not about individual children, it’s about the Eucharist.
Click to expand...
It’s not about the individual child and yet it is. In a miraculous way it’s about both.

By the way where did all the 100 children’s family and friends sit? We had people squeezed into pews, in the foyer, and outside. It was wonderful for so many people to want to witness the Sacrament of 1st Holy Communion. There just has to be a better way.

Thanks for your wisdom.
 
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Shiann:
Last year, our parish implemented the ‘individual’ first communion- except rather than just one kid having First Communion, they had 3 or four kids having First Communion per Mass. (around 12 every weekend over a 6 to 8 week period). This way there was PLENTY of room to fit the family and friends comming for the big event- and the rest of the parish were able to participate too.

I think the later worked MUCH better.
Click to expand...
Here’s an idea to recommend to the DRE.

Thanks for sharing.
 
Quaere Verum:
We homeschool so have Catechism classes daily at home. Some priests will allow for special circumstances if the family shows that they are instructing their child at home. The child is interviewed, of course, by the priest who decides if he/she is ready. I think it depends on the priest.

Thanks for the post.
Click to expand...
Our son was "homeschooled for CCD"but this is usually not allowed in our Parish the only reason, an exception was made, he required to be taught by sign language and pictures and simple one on one instruction. If someone else wanted to do this they have to have a good reason.
 
Quaere Verum:
It’s not about the individual child and yet it is. In a miraculous way it’s about both.

By the way where did all the 100 children’s family and friends sit? We had people squeezed into pews, in the foyer, and outside. It was wonderful for so many people to want to witness the Sacrament of 1st Holy Communion. There just has to be a better way.

Thanks for your wisdom.
Click to expand...
We have a church that holds 600.
We all fit.
If you have each child invite six people, that fills the church.

But the Pomp and Circumstance for those little ones and the focus on receiving Our Lord was much more than the pretty dresses and suits.
 
Quaere Verum:
It’s not a matter of debate puzzleannie just a matter of an option that’s available and trying to select the best option.

Thanks for responding.
Click to expand...
I had no intention of sparking a debate, I merely wish to stress the point that the Mass and the Eucharist is the focus, not the feelings of the individual child or of the parents. The child will not feel his day is any more or less “special” or “meaningful” if you choose one option or the other unless the adults involved do debate and criticize the decision in front of the children, and deflect attention away from the celebration of the Eucharist onto the sensibilities of the families.
 
netmil(name removed by moderator):
We have a church that holds 600.
We all fit.
If you have each child invite six people, that fills the church.

But the Pomp and Circumstance for those little ones and the focus on receiving Our Lord was much more than the pretty dresses and suits.
Click to expand...
First off, let me say I completely agree that it is about the Sacrament first. But it is also about being in communion with the Church as well; family, godparents, peers, other members of the Church, etc.

If each child was able to have only 6 people, that would leave a family of 6 high and dry for inviting grandparents, godparents, or aunts and uncles who wish to be there as well.

There is no harm in having 3 or 4 or even 10 kids getting their First Communion at every Mass over a few week period.

I found that this was also a good way to limit the amount of ‘staging’ that parents do to document the situation. Including the staging of the apparel those kids were wearing. I didn’t see as many expensive pagent gowns as when the children all have First Communion together.

When the kids went up, and were followed by a large group of family who supported them- it was a very beautiful thing.

And I hadn’t really noticed this until Quaere Verum mentioned the flagrant disrespect during these group ceremonies. But now thinking back, I noticed none of this type of behavior. I imagine because people were more relaxed.

Certainly the children can experience the Sacrament either way- but the way I’ve described just seems more real and personal than the “all together” type.
 
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puzzleannie:
The child will not feel his day is any more or less “special” or “meaningful” if you choose one option or the other unless the adults involved do debate and criticize the decision in front of the children, and deflect attention away from the celebration of the Eucharist onto the sensibilities of the families.
Click to expand...
Good point puzzleannie!

Thanks for your comments.
 
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kaymart:
I have 3 children, the first two Recieved 1st Communion with their Class, it was beautiful and very meaningful. For unusual reasons, had a very private (family and friends only) for our youngest and it was very meaningful too. Of course the Homily was based on my son and how we all try to be as pure and innocent as he is. Which made it special, but watching all the little children Recieve for the first time was also quite special.
Click to expand...
Thanks for providing some insight into both methods. Yes, either way can be a beautiful experience when the focus is in the right place - the Sacrament itself.
 
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