First communion ? which church

[bobblehead0411]

Yes they were aware that my children take religious education classes at the other parish. We have a catholic school at our parish which my children are not enrolled in. The public school children receive their religious education through the parishes that the school is located in. This has been going on since 1973 since that is the year the schools consolidated and became one district. I did not know the intentions of the home parish until we had our first meeting in February for first reconciliation and first communion. As I stated previously my oldest child had received her first communion within the parish she was educated. The two parish priests at that time worked very well together along with the two educators at the parishes. Each family had the choice of which parish in which their child receives the sacrament. We now have a new home parish priest. I as a parent do not want my child to have his sacrament in my home parish and I feel the priest should respect my wishes and respect me as a person.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Yes they were aware that my children take religious education classes at the other parish. We have a catholic school at our parish which my children are not enrolled in. The public school children receive their religious education through the parishes that the school is located in. This has been going on since 1973 since that is the year the schools consolidated and became one district. I did not know the intentions of the home parish until we had our first meeting in February for first reconciliation and first communion. As I stated previously my oldest child had received her first communion within the parish she was educated. The two parish priests at that time worked very well together along with the two educators at the parishes. Each family had the choice of which parish in which their child receives the sacrament. We now have a new home parish priest. I as a parent do not want my child to have his sacrament in my home parish and I feel the priest should respect my wishes and respect me as a person.

Sounding more and more like territorial issues with this new parish priest. It is possible he does not like the other priest involved in the education. Sadly these things can and do happen and their effects impact the children.

 

[JA_Hansen]

To those who support the obstinate pastor by correctly stating that the Sacrament is what is important, I ask: How would you feel about having your marriage blessed in a parish where you had no friends?
“It is the Sacrament that is important, not being surrounded by your friends.” I agree with those who say, “change parishes”. The priest at your home parish is NOT a pastor, he is "the legal(ist) parish administrator.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

To those who support the obstinate pastor by correctly stating that the Sacrament is what is important, I ask: How would you feel about having your marriage blessed in a parish where you had no friends?
“It is the Sacrament that is important, not being surrounded by your friends.” I agree with those who say, “change parishes”. The priest at your home parish is NOT a pastor, he is "the legal(ist) parish administrator.

Okay I can’t resist. We did have our marriage blessed in our current parish just after we moved here. It was just the two of us and the priest. By the way he was and is a wonderful priest who really was instrumental in guiding us back to the Catholic Church. He invited two older members of the parish to witness. To this day I consider that blessing to be one of the best gifts I have ever received.
I realize there are people who do plan their wedding for years and look forward to it as one of the biggest events of their life, and that is fine. I was just so grateful for the gift of the Sacrament that I didn’t care who was there or where it was. I do really understand the frustration of the OP in that the family should have had more notice about the change in procedure. It would have been nice also had the priest given a better explanation than “because I said so”. But at this point the Sacrament is what matters most, so celebrate that and maybe have a big party with all the friends afteward.

 

[Lovemyfaith]

Okay I can’t resist. We did have our marriage blessed in our current parish just after we moved here. It was just the two of us and the priest. By the way he was and is a wonderful priest who really was instrumental in guiding us back to the Catholic Church. He invited two older members of the parish to witness. To this day I consider that blessing to be one of the best gifts I have ever received.
I realize there are people who do plan their wedding for years and look forward to it as one of the biggest events of their life, and that is fine. I was just so grateful for the gift of the Sacrament that I didn’t care who was there or where it was. I do really understand the frustration of the OP in that the family should have had more notice about the change in procedure. It would have been nice also had the priest given a better explanation than “because I said so”. But at this point the Sacrament is what matters most, so celebrate that and maybe have a big party with all the friends afteward.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Okay I can’t resist. We did have our marriage blessed in our current parish just after we moved here. It was just the two of us and the priest. By the way he was and is a wonderful priest who really was instrumental in guiding us back to the Catholic Church. He invited two older members of the parish to witness. To this day I consider that blessing to be one of the best gifts I have ever received.
I realize there are people who do plan their wedding for years and look forward to it as one of the biggest events of their life, and that is fine. I was just so grateful for the gift of the Sacrament that I didn’t care who was there or where it was. I do really understand the frustration of the OP in that the family should have had more notice about the change in procedure. It would have been nice also had the priest given a better explanation than “because I said so”. But at this point the Sacrament is what matters most, so celebrate that and maybe have a big party with all the friends afteward.

I do not remember the OP making any comment re a ‘big party’.

The ‘home parish pastor’ singling out the child - trying to force the child not to receive with the class he/she prepared with - is very hard to justify.

IF the parents let their child receive with their class what will the home pastor do? Claim it is invalid??

 

[Lovemyfaith]

I do not remember the OP making any comment re a ‘big party’. The ‘home parish pastor’ singling out the child - trying to force the child not to receive with the class he/she prepared with - is very hard to justify. IF the parents let their child receive with their class what will the home pastor do? Claim it is invalid??

No big party mentioned, that was my idea if the child wanted to celebrate with classmates.
I don’t think the CCD church will let the child make their First Holy Communion without authority from the child’s home parish.

 

[puzzleannie]

Catholics celebrate sacraments in their own parish. that is basic. The pastor of that geographical or other jurisdictional parish is responsible for the care of souls within his boundaries. To celebrate outside the parish, the Catholic must have his pastor’s permission. That is usually readily obtained for situations such as OP describes.

There is not supposed to be a “class” celebrating the sacrament separate from the larger Christian community. Ideally the child is brough to the Eucharist by his family in the context of a regular Sunday Mass. All the children in the program, no matter where they receive their preparation, should be referred to their own pastor in their home parish for celebration of the sacrament.

 

[puzzleannie]

To those who support the obstinate pastor by correctly stating that the Sacrament is what is important, I ask: How would you feel about having your marriage blessed in a parish where you had no friends?
".

I would say, make it your business to make friends with your fellow parishioners. That is your obligation and responsibility to support the parish and participate in its worship, community life and ministries. Repeat, in canon law, the pastor of the parish has authority over those who reside in his parish, including their sacramental initiation.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

No big party mentioned, that was my idea if the child wanted to celebrate with classmates.
I don’t think the CCD church will let the child make their First Holy Communion without authority from the child’s home parish.

I would suggest checking there first.

IF the parish doing the formation finds the child properly trained and eligible what basis (other than I can do it) would any pastor have to object??

 

[Eilish_Maura]

Catholics celebrate sacraments in their own parish. that is basic. The pastor of that geographical or other jurisdictional parish is responsible for the care of souls within his boundaries. To celebrate outside the parish, the Catholic must have his pastor’s permission. That is usually readily obtained for situations such as OP describes.

There is not supposed to be a “class” celebrating the sacrament separate from the larger Christian community. Ideally the child is brough to the Eucharist by his family in the context of a regular Sunday Mass. All the children in the program, no matter where they receive their preparation, should be referred to their own pastor in their home parish for celebration of the sacrament.

Does that mean if this child receives with his/her formation class the ‘home parish’ pastor can decide it was invalid?

 

[puzzleannie]

Does that mean if this child receives with his/her formation class the ‘home parish’ pastor can decide it was invalid?

no it means the parents have deliberately disobeyed their pastor for a frivolous reason, and in so doing have taught that attitude to their child. The pastor of the other parish has no authority to confer sacraments on those outside his jurisdiction w/o permission of the pastor involved. In all likelihood the set-up is being done by the DRE or catechists or school principal w/o consultation with either pastor. since such permission is routinely granted, and OP received direction to consult her pastor, it would be great to keep a simple matter simply by so doing, instead of making a federal case out of it.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

no it means the parents have deliberately disobeyed their pastor for a frivolous reason, and in so doing have taught that attitude to their child. The pastor of the other parish has no authority to confer sacraments on those outside his jurisdiction w/o permission of the pastor involved. In all likelihood the set-up is being done by the DRE or catechists or school principal w/o consultation with either pastor. since such permission is routinely granted, and OP received direction to consult her pastor, it would be great to keep a simple matter simply by so doing, instead of making a federal case out of it.

I doubt that as the OP said this has gone on and has gone on smoothly BEFORE this one new pastor.

IF this has been the usual practice in that area then the newcomer failed to make sure ‘his’ folks knew what to do and failed to make sure the former ‘partner(s)’ directed ‘his’ folks correctly.

 

[CradleCath]

Yes they were aware that my children take religious education classes at the other parish. We have a catholic school at our parish which my children are not enrolled in.

I’m entering this thread late, but would like to ask a question & I don’t mean this as confrontational. I just see so many, during the last few decades, who are good practicing Catholics but do not send their children to Catholic schools. I’m wondering why you made that choice. Is the tuition a problem? The quality of education? Maybe, the administration? I guess I’m doing my own private study on this…perhaps I should post a poll. Anyway, please don’t take offense, I’m just wanting to know why this is happening.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

I’m entering this thread late, but would like to ask a question & I don’t mean this as confrontational. I just see so many, during the last few decades, who are good practicing Catholics but do not send their children to Catholic schools. I’m wondering why you made that choice. Is the tuition a problem? The quality of education? Maybe, the administration? I guess I’m doing my own private study on this…perhaps I should post a poll. Anyway, please don’t take offense, I’m just wanting to know why this is happening.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Does that mean if this child receives with his/her formation class the ‘home parish’ pastor can decide it was invalid?

He can, but only if he is truly concerned about the preparation content or process itself.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

He can, but only if he is truly concerned about the preparation content or process itself.

From what we have been told so far that does not seem to be the issue.

 

[THurifer2]

I’m entering this thread late, but would like to ask a question & I don’t mean this as confrontational. I just see so many, during the last few decades, who are good practicing Catholics but do not send their children to Catholic schools. I’m wondering why you made that choice. Is the tuition a problem? The quality of education? Maybe, the administration? I guess I’m doing my own private study on this…perhaps I should post a poll. Anyway, please don’t take offense, I’m just wanting to know why this is happening.

 

[CradleCath]

Well, I asked my question of Bobblehead, but appreciate your answer. The fact that your nearest Catholic school is 75 miles away would make your children’s attendance really hard. I’ve never heard of the faculty of ANY Catholic Church being pro-abortion, though. If that’s true, it’s very sad, indeed.