First Communion on Mother's Day

[pianistclare]

There you go.

Very sadly for our children, they are learning that Sacraments are simply a family tradition, and that their parents think religion is only something to do if there’s nothing else going on.

The main question I get asked, is: “When will we be done”?

And people wonder why Bishops close parishes.

You can have all the dynamic priests you want, music that people don’t constantly complain about, dedicated catechists, and a priest who doesn’t preach about debt…but if the people don’t show up…there’s not much you can do. The zeal has to come from within the people of the parish.

The children are beautiful, wonderful, and happy to know Jesus.
They just don’t drive.

 

[mommy_k]

I agree with Saturday…in our old parish they had Fist Communion on Sunday and it was bad.

People were inviting 15 or more relatives and some behaved very badly too. Moms,and dad’s ended up sitting in the back…some were standing…while people who step in church perhaps once or twice a year were spreading out in full pews up front because they arrived over an hour early. I won’t even get the postures of spreading arms out on back of pews and lounging out… or stepping into the main aisle during consecration for a photo opprtunity…this is even after it was said…no pictures during mass.

So after that fiasco, they started giving tickets…which worked for smaller families…but we have more then 4 people.

In our current parish, that’s not an issue the parishoners are more reverent and they know it’s not a circus, and have it on Saturday in a peaceful manner.

 

[Irishmom2]

Mommy k, that is one of the problems with having it during Sunday mass as well. Families have large groups of extended family coming to “witness the event” and there are barely any seats left for regular members of the parish. Then, the disrespect and cell phone recordings, standing up in the pews blocking people, and every other annoying thing that happens only because people that do not really care about the reverence that should be shown, are now filling the seats. It is a huge distraction to regular churchgoers that are there to attend their regularly scheduled mass.

Several churches we have been to assign the front rows for families of First Communicants. Whoever they can fit in their row is welcome. That ends the problem of parents ending up in the back of the church. Catholic school graduations are handled the same way.

 

[pianistclare]

People worry about logistics. This can be solved and often is.
The First Communion Mass is an event for the PARISH community, not just grandma.
And folks should realize that it is a big day for families. It’s amazing how rude parishioners can be at times. It’s that same old: “It’s not my family, why should I care” mentality.
Well guess what? They are your family. The parish is supposed to be a family. Not simply a group of people you may recognize at the other end of the pew. Parishes who treasure families THRIVE.
But that same attitude leaves pastors begging people to be catechists and volunteers.
I’m so glad I quit my job as a DRE.
I just can’t take it.
No one thinks of the children. They’re simply an afterthought. Tired of banging my head against the wall.

No wonder Pastors are moving to “just get in the communion line”.
It’s really sad that we have lost our sense of dignity and ceremony.
It’s also another reason why people leave and go to those smells and bells parishes.
Dignity and solemnity mean something, or else no religion or organization would do it.

Ok, I’m out. End of rant. :sad_bye:

 

[Irishmom2]

I am sorry you feel that way Clare.

But there is not just one size fits all. If what you are suggesting is the only way to do things, then that would mean that the hundreds of years of First Holy Communion on Saturdays was “wrong” somehow, and I know that isn’t true.

We are all arguing for the same things actually, but we all see different ways of getting there. Some see it as a day to be with the Parish family. Others see it as a special day set aside to be celebrated all on its own. That’s how it was for me as a child, and that’s how it was for many people on this site. That doesn’t make us less devout, or less of a member of the church family that we prefer it to have its own day.

 

[mommy_k]

Mommy k, that is one of the problems with having it during Sunday mass as well. Families have large groups of extended family coming to “witness the event” and there are barely any seats left for regular members of the parish. Then, the disrespect and cell phone recordings, standing up in the pews blocking people, and every other annoying thing that happens only because people that do not really care about the reverence that should be shown, are now filling the seats. It is a huge distraction to regular churchgoers that are there to attend their regularly scheduled mass.

Several churches we have been to assign the front rows for families of First Communicants. Whoever they can fit in their row is welcome. That ends the problem of parents ending up in the back of the church. Catholic school graduations are handled the same way.

Yes…for our youngest who made first Communion on Saturday, they made felt pew markers for the families in our parish.

It was a very lovely, and the focus was on Jesus and the sacrament of First Communion.

 

[Faith1960]

We had 17 children make their First Communion on Mother’s Day this year. 5 were at Mass the next weekend. The soccer tournament took precedence.

Yep. A lot of soccer families put soccer first.

 

[JanetF]

What about Dad’s though? Sort of excludes them. First Communicant’s should have their own special day and not have to compete with moms, grandmas, aunts, etc. Just my opinion.

Some parishes in St. Louis have separate mass on the day of First Holy Communion and all the kids and their parents attend that mass. My daughter’s was this way years ago

Other parishes in St. Louis, including the one I now attend the most frequently, include it as part of the regular masses, and parents can pick which mass they prefer over a period of several weeks after Easter. I prefer this as the rest of the congregation is witness to the sacrament.