Three sets of parents who wanted their children's Holy Communion date changed as it clashed with a One Direction concert have failed to rally support

[SMGS127]

Hmm… let’s see… the Son of God… or some kids whose 15 minutes should have been up long ago…

I guess I could see the three parents’ point… IF there was something IMPORTANT going on. A boy band playing a concert definitely does not qualify as something important.

I think I would call this a teachable moment. Life is full of times when things we want to do conflict with things we should do. Kudos to the other parents for not giving in.

I agree (though I think One Direction is a good musical talent, so I disagree with your “15 minutes remark” ). The parent’s argument is the equivalent of me walking up to my priest and being like “you know…I’m going to be at the Redskins game during every Mass Sunday, and I kinda wanted to go barhopping Saturday night; I think I’ll just go Monday for Mass instead so I can do both.” How is it acceptable to choose worldly pursuits over our obligations to Christ?

 

[JimG]

What’s the age of First Communion in Ireland? The norm in my day in the U.S. was 2nd grade, and second graders didn’t care about boy bands. Of course, in my day there were no boy bands!

 

[Dpoc41]

What’s the age of First Communion in Ireland? The norm in my day in the U.S. was 2nd grade, and second graders didn’t care about boy bands. Of course, in my day there were no boy bands!

When I made my first Holy Communion in Ireland in the 1970’s, I was seven years of age. Don’t think it has changed since.

 

[FaustinaJulia]

What is wrong with the parents asking for the change of date? Here’s what is wrong with it:

God comes first
Boy Bands come far far later

Any time you would mix up the priorities there you are in deep trouble and should speak to your spiritual director or at least set a time for counseling with your pastor.

 

[tvknight415]

I agree (though I think One Direction is a good musical talent, so I disagree with your “15 minutes remark” ).

Well… in the interest of full disclosure… most of the radio stations out there don’t play what I would call music. Of course, on here I can’t say what I really think…

 

[Cider]

Jesus is present at every single Catholic mass, so are we all snubbing Jesus over whatever else we happen to do that day instead of going to mass and receiving ? The date isn’t even on Sunday or a holy day of obligation (I did check Irelands liturgical calendar). The day you receive for the first time, is your first communion, whatever day that happens to be.

This whole, “Jesus over XYZ” argument and the whole party and pictures occasion, just shows the fruits of separating the sacrament from it’s traditional time and place of baptism, christmation and eucharist all together. If the West hadn’t turned it into it’s own separate party with mini wedding dresses, having to go with the whole class ect people wouldn’t be so up in arms.

 

[ProdigalSun]

My take is that it’s not a big thing asking for a new date. By the way I read the article is that the change was considered, voted on, and the date change lost. I would also say if the concert means that much to the parents go and recieve your first communion on Sunday. I guess I can understand the parents not wanting to waste the money they paid for the concert but really I would have just offered up this loss to our Lord and went to the more important event.

Cheers!

 

[Darken_Rahl]

I’m pretty sure the ‘Progressive’ Catholics would be all for this. It’s not like they show any respect for the sacraments in the first place.

You’d think they’d simply start a petition to have One Direction perform at the altar.

 

[Slaney]

My take is that it’s not a big thing asking for a new date. By the way I read the article is that the change was considered, voted on, and the date change lost. I would also say if the concert means that much to the parents go and recieve your first communion on Sunday. I guess I can understand the parents not wanting to waste the money they paid for the concert but really I would have just offered up this loss to our Lord and went to the more important event.

Cheers!

I’m sure the parent’s didn’t forget the Concert date, but the Holy Communion date ?God can wait.

JimG

What’s the age of First Communion in Ireland? The norm in my day in the U.S. was 2nd grade, and second graders didn’t care about boy bands. Of course, in my day there were no boy bands!

As far as I’m aware it’s 7, the age of the use of reason.

Cider

This whole, “Jesus over XYZ” argument and the whole party and pictures occasion, just shows the fruits of separating the sacrament from it’s traditional time and place of baptism, christmation and eucharist all together. If the West hadn’t turned it into it’s own separate party with mini wedding dresses, having to go with the whole class ect people wouldn’t be so up in arms.

Yes for some it’s just another fancy dress parade, I know first-hand that many of the parents and children never went to Mass before, and may never set foot in the place again unless sister Marie gets married or uncle Joe passes away.

Am I judging ? no ! just what I’ve observed.

 

[saintjohnxxiii]

Is there anything wrong with asking to have the Communion date moved a few days earlier? It it causes the parish no burden, I don’t see why not.

Because of the reason for wanting the change. Shouldn’t God come before some stupid concert?

 

[ProVobis]

Yes for some it’s just another fancy dress parade, I know first-hand that many of the parents and children never went to Mass before, and may never set foot in the place again unless sister Marie gets married or uncle Joe passes away.

Am I judging ? no ! just what I’ve observed.

My pastor notices the same thing.

 

[jmcrae]

Is there anything wrong with asking to have the Communion date moved a few days earlier? It it causes the parish no burden, I don’t see why not.

Parishes are busy places. The dates for important occasions like First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Baptisms are set at least a year in advance so that less important things like Bible studies, Retreats, fundraisers, choir rehearsals, and Youth Group meetings can work around them. By this time of the year, something (and probably more than one thing) is already booked in for “a few days earlier.”

Families are also very busy, so to reschedule the date and make everyone happy would be a nightmare of figuring out which day doesn’t conflict with other people’s family events, as well, even if it so happens that it’s a very slow parish that has no choir practices or anything going on during the rest of the week.

 

[Mark121359]

She took great care with her preparation for her First Communion, offering Jesus a bouquet of sacrifices every day. Marie our eldest sister, gave her private lessons every evening, and in this school her heart was opened to the love of suffering. She made her First Communion on 8 May, 1884. As she returned from the holy table, I saw her in tears: her face and whole appearance reflected peace and a very intimate union with Jesus.
~Sr. Genevieve of Saint Teresa, O.C.D.(Celine Martin) comments on her sister Therese first Holy Communion during testimony for the canonization process.~

What a pity that the parents for these children thought that a concert would take priority over, and be more beneficial for them, then the receiving of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the very first time. And that a delay should be in order. And just as sorrowful for me at least, are those who see nothing wrong with this, and in fact see to it to defend their actions. I reflect on the words ***above ***of St. Therese sister Celine, and also St. Therese own recollections ***below ***on her First Communion. And how so very important this holy day should be for the child and the parents. And to be sure, how horribly disordered our priorities have sadly become.

*At last the most wonderful day of my life arrived, and I can remember every tiny detail of those heavenly hours: my joyous waking up at dawn, the tender, reverent kisses of the mistresses and older girls, the room where we dressed – filled with the white “snowflakes” in which one after another we were clothed – and above all, our entry into chapel and the singing of the morning hymn: “O Altar of God, Where the Angels are Hovering.” I would not tell you everything, even if I could, for there are certain things which lose their fragrance in the open air, certain thoughts so intimate that they cannot be translated into earthly language without losing at once their deep and heavenly meaning. How lovely it was, that first kiss of Jesus in my heart – it was truly a kiss of love. I knew that I was loved and said, “I love You, and I give myself to You forever.” Jesus asked for nothing, He claimed no sacrifice. Long before that, He and little Thérèse had seen and understood one another well, but on that day it was more than a meeting – it was a complete fusion. We were no longer two, for Thérèse had disappeared like a drop of water lost in the mighty ocean. Jesus alone remained – the Master and the King. Had she not asked Him to take away her liberty, the liberty she feared? She felt so weak and frail that she wanted to unite herself forever to His Divine Strength. And her joy became so vast, so deep, that now it overflowed. Soon she was weeping, to the astonishment of her companions, who said to one another later on: “Why did she cry? Was there something on her conscience? Perhaps it was because her mother was not there, or the Carmelite sister she loves so much.” It was beyond them that all the joy of Heaven had entered one small, exiled heart, and that it was too frail and weak to bear it without tears. As if the absence of my mother could make me unhappy on the day of my First Communion! As all Heaven entered my soul when I received Jesus, my mother came to me as well. Nor could I cry because you were not there, we were closer than ever before. It was joy alone, deep ineffable joy that filled my heart.

That afternoon I was chosen to read the “Act of Consecration to Our Lady.” I suppose they chose me because I had lost my earthly mother so young. Anyway, I put my whole heart into it and begged Our Lady to guard me always. I felt sure she was looking at me with that lovely smile which had cured me and delivered me, and I knew all I owed her; for it was she herself, that morning of the 8th of May, who placed Jesus in my soul, “the flower of the field and the lily of the valley.”

When evening came that lovely day, Father led his little queen by the hand to Carmel, and there I saw you made the bride of Christ. I saw your veil, all white like mine, and your crown of roses. There was no bitterness in all my joy, for I hoped to join you and wait for Heaven at your side.

I was very moved by the family feast prepared at Les Buissonets and delighted with the little watch which Father gave me. Yet my happiness was very tranquil, with an inward peace no earthly thing could touch. Night came at last to end my lovely evening, for darkness falls even on the brightest day. Only the first day of Communion in Eternity will never end. ~St. Therese of Lisieux~*

Peace, Mark

 

[Cider]

What a pity that the parents for these children thought that a concert would take priority over, and be more beneficial for them, then the receiving of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the very first time. And that a delay should be in order.

No delay was requested, in fact they wanted to move UP the date.

From the link provided in the OP

The parents of 27 other pupils attending Raheen Gaelscoil in Limerick had to be balloted over a possible change of date to three weeks earlier.

 

[jmcrae]

No delay was requested, in fact they wanted to move UP the date.

No, he is saying that, since the children do not seem to be correctly catechized about the meaning of Holy Communion, and seem unready to receive it as God, the priest should delay their reception of Holy Communion for one more year until they become more mature in their faith.

“A delay is in order” is what the priest would say when approached by someone who is not mature enough yet to receive their Sacrament.

 

[JimG]

Seven year olds care about boy bands and boy band concerts?? Why?

 

[pilgrimjake]

What can one expect from California? LOL

Hahahaha exactly. HAHAHAHA Dying of laughter! Oh calipornia, you are so lost. so sad, this pagan culture is so terrible.

 

[Cider]

No, he is saying that, since the children do not seem to be correctly catechized about the meaning of Holy Communion, and seem unready to receive it as God, the priest should delay their reception of Holy Communion for one more year until they become more mature in their faith.

“A delay is in order” is what the priest would say when approached by someone who is not mature enough yet to receive their Sacrament.

Because asking to able to receive earlier somehow proves they are unworthy? Ironic, when the oldest traditions of the Church is for infant reception which clearly indicates that there was no concept of children needing to be of the age of reason for communion( unlike the sacrament of reconciliation which did start at the age of reason, when one was capable of sin) for most of the history of the church. I can’t see how wanting to receive sooner is somehow a sign of unworthiness.

I get that you all are hung up on the whole concert thing. And I think a lot of the outrage is more anger at anyone daring to ask for something different than what was planned.

I find it funny that there was a tangent about parish plans and blah blah. As I posted earlier, Jesus is present at every single mass. First communion happens whenever the person happens to receive for the first time, whether that is with the catechism class, at Easter Vigil or at a regular old weekday mass. All that is required is a priest and the Eucharist. Unlike baptism and confirmation there is no actual need to schedule anything. Any normal mass time will do as nothing extra is required than is already happening at mass anyway.

I think the concert is completely dumb, but I also think the outrage over asking for a different date is over played here.

 

[esieffe]

To change the dates would send a horrible message to everyone, especially the students. God already has to compete with “Dancing with the Stars,” football schedules, the local 3-day sale, and more. Now it’s a concert.

 

[iheartdance]

You’d think they’d simply start a petition to have One Direction perform at the altar.