Pros/Cons for 1st Communion

[txangel]

Mostly the decision of when/how to have first communion comes down to logistics.

In my old parish-- large metro city-- we had over 300 first communicants each year. They held FC in a special mass so that the friends & family could all come and all fit (since regular masses were already FULL). With 300+ kids, it would not be “a few kids over a few weeks” it would take months and be problematic for the religious education personnel.

In my new parish-- rural and small-- we had 7 first communicants during the regular mass, and everyone fit fine in the church, the kids did some special things like take up the gifts, etc, and there was no need to trickle them out over time or have a special mass.

My parish does like your old parish. We have around 150 to 175 children receive 1st Communion, so Father has a special Mass, 2 weekends in a row, to accomodate family and friends. It’s held at 2:00 on Sunday so it also counts as fulfilling the Sunday obligation. It is really special b/c the children do the readings and bring up the gifts. My grandson made his 3 year ago and I still get chills and teary eyed when I remember the celebration.

As for small parishes, the intimacy of incorporating the FC celebration into the regular Masses is wonderful b/c of the participation of whole faith community. I have seen it done both ways.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

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You have to admit it makes a good memory. And while I would be the first to admit parents who do prepare their children for first communion deserve a Sunday Mass where their child or one or two others do so, it unfortunately doesn’t happen that way.

(Squint hard- I didn’t want anybody’s child out there on the Internet.)